[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 24.8.2007

COM(2007) 481 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EC) No 1487/2005 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain finished polyester filament fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Context of the proposal |

Grounds for and objectives of the proposal This proposal concerns the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2117/2005 of 21 December 2005 (‘the basic Regulation’) to imports of certain finished polyester filament fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China. |

General context This proposal is made in the context of the implementation of the basic Regulation and is the result of an investigation which was carried out in line with the substantive and procedural requirements laid out in the basic Regulation. |

Existing provisions in the area of the proposal Not applicable. |

Consistency with other policies and objectives of the Union Not applicable. |

Consultation of interested parties and impact assessment |

Consultation of interested parties |

Interested parties concerned by the proceeding have already had the possibility to defend their interests during the investigation, in line with the provisions of the basic Regulation. |

Collection and use of expertise |

There was no need for external expertise. |

Impact assessment This proposal is the result of the implementation of the basic Regulation. The basic Regulation does not foresee a general impact assessment but contains an exhaustive list of conditions that have to be assessed. |

Legal elements of the proposal |

Summary of the proposed action On 28.12.2006 a reinvestigation pursuant to Article 12 of the basic Regulation was initiated with regard to anti-dumping measures imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 1487/2005 on imports of certain finished polyester filament fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China. The attached proposal for a Council Regulation amending the above Council Regulation is based on the findings of the reinvestigation whether absorption of the above anti-dumping measures took place. As a result of this a new dumping margin and a new duty have been calculated. It is therefore proposed that the Council adopt the attached proposal for a Council Regulation, which should be published at the latest on 27 September 2007 in the Official Journal of the European Union. |

Legal basis Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2117/2005 of 21 December 2005. |

Subsidiarity principle The proposal falls under the exclusive competence of the Community. The subsidiarity principle therefore does not apply. |

Proportionality principle The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reasons. |

The form of action is described in the above-mentioned basic Regulation and leaves no scope for national decision. |

Indication of how financial and administrative burden falling upon the Community, national governments, regional and local authorities, economic operators and citizens is minimized and proportionate to the objective of the proposal is not applicable. |

Choice of instruments |

Proposed instruments: Regulation. |

Other means would not be adequate because the basic Regulation does not foresee alternative options. |

Budgetary implication |

The proposal has no implication for the Community budget |

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EC) No 1487/2005 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain finished polyester filament fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community[1] (the basic Regulation), and in particular Articles 9 and 12 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission after consulting the Advisory Committee,

Whereas:

A. PROCEDURE

1. Original measures

(1) In September 2005, following an anti-dumping investigation ('the original investigation') the Council, by Regulation (EC) No 1487/2005[2], imposed definitive anti-dumping duties ('the original measures') on imports of certain finished polyester filament fabrics (FPFAF) originating, in the People’s Republic of China ('China'). The duty rates applicable to Chinese FPFAF varied from 14.1% to 56.2%.

2. Request for an anti-absorption reinvestigation

(2) On 13 November 2006, a request for a reinvestigation of the original measures was lodged pursuant to Article 12 of the basic Regulation. The request was submitted by AIUFFASS (the applicant), on behalf of producers representing a major proportion, in this case more than 30% of the total Community production of FPFAF.

(3) The applicant submitted sufficient information showing that following the imposition of the original anti-dumping duties on FPFAF originating in China export prices have decreased and that there has been insufficient movement in resale prices or subsequent selling prices in the Community. This allegedly resulted in an increase of dumping which has impeded the intended remedial effects of the measures in force. The applicant also provided evidence that imports of the product concerned from China have continued to enter in significant quantities the Community market.

3. The anti-absorption reinvestigation

(4) On 28 December 2006, the Commission announced by a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union ('NOI')[3] the initiation of a reinvestigation, pursuant to Article 12 of the basic Regulation, of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of FPFAF originating in China.

(5) The Commission officially advised the producers/exporters known to be concerned, the representatives of the exporting country, importers and users of the initiation of the reinvestigation. Interested parties were given the opportunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing within the time limit set out in the notice of initiation. The Commission sent questionnaires to all parties known to be concerned.

(6) In view of the high number of exporting producers and importers concerned during the original investigation, sampling was envisaged in the NOI in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation. In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling would be necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all exporting producers and importers were asked to make themselves known to the Commission and to provide basic information.

(7) The Commission sought and verified all the information deemed necessary to determine whether export prices have decreased and if there has been insufficient movement in resale prices or subsequent selling prices in the Community. Verification visits were carried out at the premises of the cooperating exporters/producers in China and their related companies where necessary:

- Nantong Teijin Co. Ltd and its related importer NI-Teijin Shoji Europe GmbH

- Fuzhou Fuhua Textile & Printing Dyeing Co. Ltd

- Fuzhou Ta-Tung Textile Works Co. Ltd

- Hangzhou Delicacy Textile Co. Ltd

- Shaoxing County Jiade Weaving and Dyeing Co. Ltd

- Wujiang Xiangsheng Textile dyeing & Finishing Co. Ltd and its related company

- Wujiang Longsheng Textile Co. Ltd

(8) The investigation period of this reinvestigation ('new IP') ran from 1st October 2005 to 30 September 2006. The new IP was used to determine the current level of export prices and the level of the prices delivered to the first independent customer in the Community. In establishing whether the prices in the Community had moved sufficiently, the price levels charged during the new IP were compared to those charged during the original investigation period (original IP) which had covered the period from 1st April 2003 to 30th March 2004.

(9) It should be noted that the Commission had to allow sufficient time to the parties to make themselves known and to select a sample of exporting producers in China in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation. In view of various exceptional circumstances the co-operating parties also requested extensions to submit their replies. These extensions were granted when duly justified. For these reasons, the reinvestigation slightly exceeded the normal period of six months provided for in Article 12(4) of the basic Regulation.

B. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION

(10) The product for which the reinvestigation was initiated is the same as in the original investigation, namely finished polyester filament apparel fabrics ('FPFAF'), normally classified within CN codes ex 5407 51 00, 5407 52 00, 5407 54 00, ex 5407 61 10, 5407 61 30, 5407 61 90 and ex 5407 69 10 and ex 5407 69 90. The product concerned is woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn containing 85% or more by weight of textured and/or non-textured polyester filament, dyed (including dyed white) or printed originating in the People's Republic of China. The product concerned is used mainly in the textile industry.

C. THE REINVESTIGATION

(11) In general, a reinvestigation pursuant to Article 12 of the basic Regulation aims at establishing whether or not there was a sufficient movement in prices in the Community of FPFAF originating in China further to the imposition of original anti-dumping measures. As a second step, where it is concluded that absorption took place, a new dumping margin should be calculated. Article 12 of the basic Regulation provides for an opportunity to importers/users and exporters to submit evidence that could justify a lack of movement in prices in the Community following the imposition of measures for reasons other than absorption of the anti-dumping duty.

1. Sampling

(12) As mentioned in recital (6) above the Commission requested all exporting producers and importers to make themselves known and to provide basic information on their activities during the new IP.These parties were also requested to indicate their willingness to be included in a sample.

(a) Exporters / producers

(13) 26 exporters / producers agreed to provide the requested information and to be included in a sample. Given the large number of exporters / producers, it was decided that sampling was necessary with regards to establishing possible absorption by exporters/producers in China. While preference was given to companies which were included in the sample of the original investigation, a selection which allowed to cover the largest representative volume of exports which can be reasonably investigated within the time available was made. In accordance with Article 17(2) of the basic Regulation, the Chinese authorities were consulted on the sample and raised no objections.

(14) Nine companies were initially selected to be included in the sample. One company which was granted individual treatment (IT) and eight others which were granted market economy status (MES) during the original investigation. Just before the verification visits took place in China, two companies (the one with IT and one with MES) decided to withdraw from the sample. These 2 companies were considered as non-cooperating in the current reinvestigation. As a result, it remained 24 cooperating companies and a sample constituted of 7 exporters /producers with MES. At that stage the Commission observed that no exporters / producers with IT cooperated in the investigation.

(15) The remaining seven companies included in the sample had all MES and represent around 78% of the exports to the EU made by all the cooperating companies and 23.9% of the total Chinese exports of FPFAF to the Community market. At that stage of the reinvestigation, it was concluded that these companies constituted the largest volume which could reasonably be investigated within the time available. These 7 companies were therefore deemed to be representative for the purpose of sampling in the reinvestigation.

(b) Importers

(16) No unrelated importers submitted the requested information within the time limit defined in the NOI.

2. Non-cooperation

(17) The 24 cooperating exporters / producers which agreed to be included in the sample represented around 30 % of the total export of Chinese FPFAF to the Community. As mentioned in recital (14) above, 2 additional producers withdrew cooperation. As a result, non-cooperation finally amounted to around 70 % of total export of FPFAF to the Community market.

(18) On that basis, it was considered than non-cooperation in this case was high.

3. Movement of prices in the Community

3.1. General

(19) It is recalled that no unrelated importers / users of the product concerned offered cooperation for the reinvestigation. As mentioned in recital (18) above, non-cooperation from exporters / producers in China is high.

(20) Except for one exporter / producer included in the sample the pattern of trade for FPFAF originating in China is characterised by the absence of related intermediaries importing the product concerned into the Community for resale. The independent buyers of FPFAF are generally user companies which are directly importing the product concerned for their own internal consumption.

(21) It was found that the sales conditions for the export sales made by the exporters / producers in the sample during the new IP were generally made on a CIF (cost, insurance and freight) basis. Therefore, for the purpose of assessing any price movement the price level for the product concerned was first determined at CIF level. For the new IP, the CIF price at the Community border was established on the basis of information submitted by the co-operating Chinese exporters / producers included in the sample.

3.2. Movement in resale price in the Community for the sample companies

(22) In order to assess any movement of prices at exporter / producer level in the Community the average price of FPFAF, on a type by type basis, established for the new IP was compared with the average price of FPFAF established during the original IP at the same level of trade and for the same delivery conditions.

(23) On that basis, the comparison showed that the average price in the Community of FPFAF originating in China for all the companies included in the sample did not decrease during the new IP.

(24) The movement of resale price for one related importer established in the Community was assessed on a type by type basis. Resale prices to unrelated customers in the Community were compared for the same delivery conditions between both investigation periods. Based on the information gathered, it was demonstrated that prices had increased by amounts exceeding the anti-dumping duty.

3.3. Claims made by interested parties

(25) Several interested parties claimed that an adjustment should be made to their export price. They invoked that the variation in USD/EUR exchange rate led to an artificial decrease of their export price during the new IP. However, given that no price decrease was found during the new IP even before the application of this claimed adjustment which would lead to decreasing prices in the old IP, it was not considered necessary to examine the claim.

3.4. Movement in resale price in the Community for the non-co-operators

(26) Given the high level on non-cooperation, around 70 % in this case, an absorption duty should be imposed on all non-cooperating exporters/producers in the PRC. The absorption duty should be established on the basis of Article 18 of the basic Regulation (BR), namely on the basis of the best information available.

(27) In the present case it is considered that the data available under the Eurostat import statistic constitutes the most direct and the most reliable that can be used to establish the level at which non-cooperating Chinese exporters were exporting their FPFAF in the Community market. If we exclude from Eurostat the data verified at the level co-operating companies for which no absorption was found to exist, the absorption margin for non-co-operating companies, based on Eurostat is established at 18.6 %.

3.5. Conclusion on the movement of sales price in the Community

(28) Based on the above facts and considerations, it was concluded that none of the exporters / producers included in the sample absorbed the anti-dumping duty in force. No absorption duty should therefore be established for all exporters / producers in China which agreed to cooperate and to be included in the sample.

(29) An absorption duty set at 18,6 % should however be applied on all non-cooperating exporters / producers in China.

4 . New level of the measure

(a) For the companies included in the sample

(30) Given that the companies included in the sample could demonstrate that there was no decrease in their export price of the product concerned to the Community market, the level of the measures remains unchanged :

Company | Definitive duty |

Fuzhou Fuhua Textile & Printing Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Fuzhou Ta-Tung Textile Works Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou De Licacy Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Nantong Teijin Co. Ltd | 14,1% |

Shaoxing County Jiade Weaving and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Wujiang Longsheng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Wujiang Xiangsheng Textile Dyeing & Finishing Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

(b) For the cooperating exporting producers not included in the sample,

(31) The same conclusion should apply to the 17 companies which offered cooperation and agreed to be included in the sample :

Company | Definitive AD duty rate |

Shaoxing Zhengda Group Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Far Eastern Industries (Shanghai) Ltd | 14,1% |

Zhejiang Yonglong Enterprises Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Zhuji Bolan Textile Industrial Development Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Zhejiang Shaoxing Tianyuan Textile Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Zhejiang XiangSheng Group Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou ZhenYa Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Huzhou Styly Jingcheng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou Yongsheng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Zhejiang Shaoxing Yongli Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou Hongfeng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Shaoxing Yinuo Printing & Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Shaoxing Ancheng Cloth industrial Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou Jieenda Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou Mingyuan Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Hangzhou Yililong Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% |

Zheijiang Singmetat Print and Dyeing Co. Ltd | 56.2% |

(c) For all other exporting producers,

(32) For the non cooperating parties, as mentioned above in recital (26) it was considered appropriate to amend the level of the anti-dumping duty in accordance with the last sentence of the Article 12(3) of the basic Regulation. The revised rate of anti-dumping duty applicable, before duty, to the net free-at-Community-frontier price will be as follow :

Company | Definitive duty |

Hangzhou CaiHong Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Hangzhou Fuen Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Hangzhou Jinsheng Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Hangzhou Shenda Textile Co., Ltd | 28,2% |

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Phoenix Industry Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Hangzhou Zhengda Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Shaoxing China Light & Textile Industrial City Somet Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Shaoxing County Fengyi Textile Printing & Dyeing Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Shaoxing County Huaxiang Textile Co., Ltd | 45,3 % |

Shaoxing County Pengyue Textile Co., Ltd | 28,2% |

Shaoxing County Qing Fang Cheng Textiles Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd | 52,5% |

Shaoxing County Xingxin Textile Co., Ltd | 28,2% |

Shaoxing Golden tree silk Printing Dyeing and Sandwashing Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Shaoxing Nanchi Textile Printing-Dyeing Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Shaoxing Ronghao Textiles Co., Ltd | 52,5% |

Shaoxing Tianlong Import and Export Co., Ltd | 65% |

Shaoxing Xinghui Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Shaoxing Yongda Textiles Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Wujiang Canhua Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd | 74,8% |

Zhejiang Golden Time Printing and Dyeing knitwear Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Zhejiang Huagang Dyeing and Weaving Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

Zhejiang Shaoxiao Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 55,7% |

All other companies | 74,8% |

5. Special provision for exporters in China that may not absorb

(33) In view of the findings of the investigation, the low cooperation in China which may be linked to the fact that exporting producers of FPFAF are Small and Medium Enterprises, the Community may re-examine the situation of exporters that could not cooperate in this reinvestigation in case they come forward with evidence showing that they were not absorbing the anti-dumping measures in force during the current investigation period. This possibility is open to all producers / exporters of the product under consideration in China.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1487/2005 shall be replaced by the following:

‘2. The rate of the definitive anti-dumping duty applicable to the net free-at Community-frontier price, before duty, of the products described in paragraph 1 and manufactured by the companies below shall be as follows:

Company | Definitive anti- dumping duty | TARIC Additional code |

Fuzhou Fuhua Textile & Printing Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Fuzhou Ta-Tung Textile Works Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou De Licacy Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Nantong Teijin Co. Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Shaoxing County Jiade Weaving and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Wujiang Longsheng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Wujiang Xiangsheng Textile Dyeing & Finishing Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Shaoxing Zhengda Group Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Far Eastern Industries (Shanghai) Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Zhejiang Yonglong Enterprises Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Zhuji Bolan Textile Industrial Development Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Zhejiang Shaoxing Tianyuan Textile Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Zhejiang XiangSheng Group Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou ZhenYa Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Huzhou Styly Jingcheng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou Yongsheng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Zhejiang Shaoxing Yongli Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou Hongfeng Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Shaoxing Yinuo Printing & Dyeing Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Shaoxing Ancheng Cloth industrial Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou Jieenda Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou Mingyuan Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Hangzhou Yililong Textile Co., Ltd | 14,1% | A617 |

Zheijiang Singmetat Print and Dyeing Co. Ltd | 56.2% | A836 |

Hangzhou CaiHong Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Hangzhou Fuen Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Hangzhou Jinsheng Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Hangzhou Shenda Textile Co., Ltd | 28,2% | A837 |

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Phoenix Industry Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Hangzhou Zhengda Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Shaoxing China Light & Textile Industrial City Somet Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Shaoxing County Fengyi Textile Printing & Dyeing Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Shaoxing County Huaxiang Textile Co., Ltd | 45,3 % | A619 |

Shaoxing County Pengyue Textile Co., Ltd | 28,2% | A837 |

Shaoxing County Qing Fang Cheng Textiles Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd | 52,5% | A621 |

Shaoxing County Xingxin Textile Co., Ltd | 28,2% | A837 |

Shaoxing Golden tree silk Printing Dyeing and Sandwashing Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Shaoxing Nanchi Textile Printing-Dyeing Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Shaoxing Ronghao Textiles Co., Ltd | 52,5% | A620 |

Shaoxing Tianlong Import and Export Co., Ltd | 65% | A622 |

Shaoxing Xinghui Textile Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Shaoxing Yongda Textiles Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Wujiang Canhua Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd | 74,8% | A618 |

Zhejiang Golden Time Printing and Dyeing knitwear Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Zhejiang Huagang Dyeing and Weaving Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

Zhejiang Shaoxiao Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd | 55,7% | A623 |

All other companies | 74,8% | A999 |

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

[1] OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2117/2005………………………….

[2] OJ L 240, 16.9.2005, p. 1.

[3] OJ C 320, 28.12.2006, p. 8.