Notice of initiation of a review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain television camera systems originating in Japan

(2000/C 40/04)

The Commission has received a request for a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures in force on imports of certain television camera systems originating in Japan, pursuant to Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995(1), as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 905/98(2), hereinafter referred to as the "Basic Regulation".

1. Request for review

The request was lodged on 4 September 1999, by Hitachi Denshi Ltd (hereinafter also referred to asthe "applicant"), a producer/exporter of television camera systems (hereinafter referred to as "TCS") that took part in the original anti-dumping investigation. The request is limited in scope to the examination of dumping as far as the applicant is concerned.

2. Product

The product under consideration is TCS originating in Japan, consisting of a combination of the following parts, imported either together or separately:

(a) a camera head with three or more sensors (12 mm or more charge-coupled devices) with more than 400000 pixels each, which can be connected to a rear adapter, and having a specification of the signal to noise ratio of 55dB or more at normal gain; either in one piece with the camera head and the adapter in one housing, or separate;

(b) a viewfinder (diagonal of 38 mm or more);

(c) a base station or camera control unit (CCU) connected to the camera by a cable;

(d) an operational control panel (OCP) for camera control (i.e. for colour adjustment lens opening or iris of single cameras);

(e) a master control panel (MCP) or master set-up unit (MSU) with selected camera indication, for the overview and for adjustment of several remote cameras.

This product is currently classifiable under CN codes 8525 30 90, 8537 10 91, 8537 10 99, 8529 90 81, 8529 90 88, 8543 89 95, 8528 21 14, 8528 21 16, 8528 21 90. These codes are only given for information.

3. Existing measures

The measures currently in force are definitive anti-dumping duties, imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 1015/94 on imports of TCS originating in Japan, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 193/1999(3). The rate of the anti-dumping duty currently in force for imports of TCS from Hitashi Denshi Ltd is set at 52,7 %.

4. Grounds for the interim review

The applicant's request is based on the grounds that a review of the measures would be likely to result in a repeal or a reduction of the current anti-dumping duty applicable to it.

The applicant submitted sufficiet prima facie evidence showing that circumstances on the basis of which the measures in force were established (i.e. circumstances prevailing during the investigation period selected for the adoption of Council Regulation (EC) No 1015/94) have changed and that this change is ongoing. The applicant alleges that these changed circumstances have led to a considerable reduction of its normal value de to a structural change in the Japanese market and an increase of its export price so that the continued imposition of the measures to it is no longer necessary to counteract dumping.

5. Procedure

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence exists for the initiation of a partial interim review, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation pursuant to Article 11(3) of the Basic Regulation, limited in scope to the examination of dumping as far as the applicant is concerned.

(a) Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send a questionnaire to the applicant. The time limit for the reply to the questionnaire is specified in point 6 of this notice.

(b) Collection of information and holding of hearings

All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known in writing and to provide supporting evidence.

Furthermore, the Commission may hear interested parties, provided they make a request in writing and show that there are particular reasons why they should be heard.

Any submission or request for a hearing must be made in writing to the address mentioned below and should indicate the name, address, e-mail address, fax and telephone numbers of the interested party.

6. Time limits

Interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account during the investigation, must make themselves known, present their views in writing and submit information within 40 days from the date of the publication of this notice. Interested parties may also apply to be heard by the Commission within the same time limit. This time limit also applies to interested parties unknown to the Commission and it is consequently in the interest of these parties to contact the Commission without delay.

The Commission address for correspondence is: European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate C

DM 24 - 8/116

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 B - 1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 295 65 05 Telex: COMEU B 21877

7. Non-cooperation

In cases in which any interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not provide necessary information within the time limits specified in paragraph 6 above, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made in accordance with Article 18 of the Basic Regulation, on the basis of facts available.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information shall be disregarded and use may be made of the facts available.

(1) OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 128, 30.4.1998, p. 18.

(3) OJ L 22, 29.1.1999, p. 10.