Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of ironing boards originating in the People's Republic of China and Ukraine
Date: 2006-02-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: China, Ukraine, anti-dumping legislation, household article, import, originating product

C 29/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

4.2.2006

Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of ironing boards origin-
ating in the People's Republic of China and Ukraine

(2006/C 29/02)

The Commission has received a complaint pursuant to Article
5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 on protection against
dumped imports from countries not members of the European
Community (‘the basic Regulation’) (1), as last amended by
Regulation (EC) No 2117/2005 (2), alleging that imports of
ironing boards, originating in the People's Republic of China
and Ukraine (‘the countries concerned’), are being dumped and
are thereby causing material injury to the Community industry.

negative impact on the market share held, the quantities sold
and the level of prices charged by the Community industry,
resulting in substantial adverse effects on the overall perfor-
mance, the financial situation and the employment situation of
the Community industry.

5. Procedure

1. Complaint

The complaint was lodged on 23 December 2005 by three
Community producers
representing a
major proportion, in this case more than 50 %, of the total
Community production of ironing boards.

(‘the complainants’)

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee,
that the complaint has been lodged by or on behalf of the
Community industry and that there is sufficient evidence to
justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby
initiates an investigation pursuant to Article 5 of the basic
Regulation.

2. Product

The product allegedly being dumped is ironing boards, whether
or not free standing, with or without a steam soaking and/or
heating top and/or blowing top, including sleeve boards, and
essential parts thereof, i.e. the legs, the top and the iron rest
originating in the People's Republic of China and Ukraine (‘the
product concerned’), normally declared within CN codes
ex 3924 90 90,
ex 7323 99 91,
ex 4421 90 98,
ex 7323 99 99, ex 8516 79 70 and ex 8516 90 00. These CN
codes are only given for information.

3. Allegation of dumping

In view of the provisions of Article 2(7) of the basic Regulation,
the complainants established normal value for the People's
Republic of China and Ukraine on the basis of the price in a
market economy country, which is mentioned in point
5.1(d).The allegation of dumping is based on a comparison of
normal value, thus calculated, with the export prices of the
product concerned when sold for export to the Community.

On this basis, the dumping margins calculated are significant.

4. Allegation of injury

The complainants have provided evidence that imports of the
product concerned from the People's Republic of China and
Ukraine have increased overall in absolute terms and in terms
of market share.

It is alleged that the volumes and the prices of the imported
product concerned have, among other consequences, had a

(1) OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 340, 23.12.2005, p. 17.

5.1. Procedure for the determination of dumping and injury

investigation will

The
the product
concerned originating in the People's Republic of China and
Ukraine is being dumped and whether this dumping has caused
injury.

determine whether

(a) Sampling

In view of the apparent large number of parties involved in
this proceeding,
the Commission may decide to apply
sampling in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regu-
lation.

(i) Sa mp l i ng

f or
Pe op l e 's R e p u b li c of Ch i na

e x p or te r s/ p r o du c e r s

i n

t h e

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether
sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all
exporters/producers, or representatives acting on their
behalf, are hereby requested to make themselves known
by contacting the Commission and providing the
following information on their company or companies
within the time limit set in point 6(b)(i) and in the
format indicated in point 7:

— name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax

numbers and contact person,

— the turnover in local currency and the volume in
units of the product concerned sold for export to
the Community during the period 1 January 2005
to 31 December 2005,

4.2.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 29/3

— the turnover in local currency and the sales volume
in units for the product concerned on the domestic
market during the period 1 January 2005 to 31
December 2005,

Companies included in the sample must reply to a
questionnaire within the time limit set in point 6(b)(iii)
and must cooperate within the framework of the inves-
tigation.

— whether the company intends to claim an individual
margin (1) (individual margins can only be claimed
by producers),

— the precise activities of the company with regard to

the production of the product concerned,

— the names and the precise activities of all related
involved in the production and/or
the product

companies (2)
selling (export and/or domestic) of
concerned,

— any other relevant information that would assist the

Commission in the selection of the sample,

— by providing the above information, the company
agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If the
company is chosen to be part of the sample, this
will imply replying to a questionnaire and accepting
an on-the-spot investigation of its response. If the
it does not agree to its
company indicates that
possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed
to not have co-operated in the investigation. The
consequences of non-cooperation are set out
in
point 8 below.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary
for the selection of the sample of exporters/producers,
the Commission will, in addition, contact the authori-
ties of the exporting country and any known associa-
tions of exporters/producers.

(ii) F i na l se le ct i on of th e sa mp le

interested parties wishing to submit any relevant
All
information regarding the selection of the sample must
do so within the time limit set in point 6(b)(ii).

The Commission intends to make the final selection of
the sample after having consulted the parties concerned
that have expressed their willingness to be included in
the sample.

(1) Individual margins may be claimed pursuant to Article 17(3) of the
basic Regulation for companies not included in the sample, Article
9(5) of the basic Regulation concerning individual treatment in
cases involving non-market economy countries/economies in transi-
tion, and Article 2(7)(b) of the basic Regulation for companies
claiming market economy status. Note that claims for individual
treatment necessitate an application pursuant to Article 9(5) of the
basic Regulation and that claims regarding market economy status
necessitate an application pursuant to Article 2(7)(b) of the basic
Regulation.

(2) For guidance on the meaning of related companies, please refer to
Article 143 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying
down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation
(EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L
253, 11.10.1993, p. 1).

forthcoming,

sufficient co-operation is not

If
the
Commission may base its findings, in accordance with
Articles 17(4) and 18 of the basic Regulation, on the
facts available. A finding based on facts available may
be less advantageous
to the party concerned, as
explained in point 8.

(b) Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for
its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires
to the Community industry and to any association of
producers in the Community, to the sampled exporters/
producers in the People's Republic of China, to the expor-
ters/producers in Ukraine, to any association of exporters/
producers, to the importers, to any association of importers
named in the complaint and to the authorities of
the
exporting countries concerned.

(i) E x p or te r s p r o du c e r s i n U kr a i ne a nd i mp or te r s

All such interested parties should contact the Commis-
sion forthwith by fax, but not later than the time limit
set out in point 6(a)(i), in order to find out whether
they are listed in the complaint and,
if necessary,
request a questionnaire, given that the time limit set in
point 6(a)(ii) applies to all such interested parties.

(ii) E x p or te r s/ p r odu c e r s

c la i mi ng a n i ndi vi du a l

ma r g i n i n th e P e op le ' s R e p u bl i c of Ch i n a

Exporters/producers in the People's Republic of China
claiming an individual margin, with a view to the appli-
cation of Articles 17(3) and 9(6) of the basic Regu-
lation, must submit a completed questionnaire within
the time limit set in point 6(a)(ii) of this notice. They
therefore have to request a questionnaire within the
time limit set in point 6(a)(i). However, such parties
should be aware that if sampling is applied to expor-
ters/producers, the Commission may nonetheless decide
not to calculate an individual margin for them, if the
number of exporters/producers is so large that indivi-
dual examination would be unduly burdensome and
would prevent the timely completion of the investiga-
tion.

C 29/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

4.2.2006

(c) Collection of information and holding of hearings

submit

All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views
known,
than questionnaire
replies and to provide supporting evidence. This informa-
tion and supporting evidence has to reach the Commission
within the time limit set in point 6(a)(ii).

information other

Furthermore, the Commission may hear interested parties,
provided that they make a request showing that there are
particular reasons why they should be heard. This request
must be made within the time limit set in point 6(a)(iii).

(d) Selection of the market economy country

In accordance with Article 2(7)(a) of the basic Regulation, it
is envisaged to choose the United States of America as an
appropriate market economy country for the purpose of
establishing normal value in respect of
the People's
Republic of China and Ukraine.
Interested parties are
hereby invited to comment on the appropriateness of this
choice within the specific time limit set in point 6(c).

(e) Market economy status

For those exporters/producers in the People's Republic of
China and Ukraine who claim and provide sufficient
evidence that they operate under market economy condi-
tions, i.e. that they meet the criteria laid down in Article
2(7)(c) of the basic Regulation, normal value will be deter-
mined in accordance with Article 2(7)(b) of the basic Regu-
intending to submit duly
lation. Exporters/producers
substantiated claims must do so within the specific time
limit set in point 6(d). The Commission will send claim
forms to all exporters/producers in the People's Republic of
China and Ukraine named in the complaint and to any
association of exporters/producers named in the complaint,
as well as to the authorities of the People's Republic of
China and Ukraine.

5.2. Procedure for assessment of Community interest

In accordance with Article 21 of the basic Regulation and in
the event that the allegations of dumping and injury caused
thereby are substantiated, a decision will be reached as to
whether the adoption of anti-dumping measures would not be
against the Community interest. For this reason, the Com-
munity industry,
importers, their representative associations,
representative users and representative consumer organisations,
provided that they prove that there is an objective link between
their activity and the product concerned, may, within the
general time limits set in point 6(a)(ii), make themselves known
and provide the Commission with information. The parties
which have acted in conformity with the precedent sentence

may request a hearing setting the particular reasons why they
should be heard within the time limit set in point 6(a)(iii). It
should be noted that any information submitted pursuant to
Article 21 will only be taken into account if supported by
factual evidence at the time of submission.

6. Time limits

(a) General time limits

(i) F o r p a r t i e s

t o r e q u e st

a q u e sti on n a i r e or

o t h e r c la i m f or m s

All interested parties should request a questionnaire or
other claim forms as soon as possible, but not later
than 10 days after the publication of this notice in the
Official Journal of the European Union.

(ii) F or p a r ti e s

t o ma ke th e mse lve s know n,

to
su bmi t q u e sti onnai r e r e p li e s and a ny ot h e r
i nfor ma ti on

All interested parties, if their representations are to be
taken into account during the investigation, must make
themselves known by contacting the Commission,
present their views and submit questionnaire replies or
any other information within 40 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the
European Union, unless otherwise specified. Attention is
drawn to the fact that the exercise of most procedural
rights set out in the basic Regulation depends on the
party's making itself known within the aforementioned
period.

Companies selected in a sample must submit question-
naire replies within the time limits specified in point
6(b)(iii).

(iii) H e a r i ng s

All interested parties may also apply to be heard by
the Commission within the same 40 day time limit.

(b) Specific time limit in respect of sampling

(i) The information specified in point 5.1(a)(i) should
reach the Commission within 15 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the
European Union, given that the Commission intends to
consult parties concerned that have expressed their
willingness to be included in the sample on its final
selection within a period of 21 days of the publication
of this notice in the Official
the European
Union.

Journal of

4.2.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 29/5

(ii) All other information relevant for the selection of the
sample as referred to in point 5.1(a)(ii) must reach the
Commission within a period of 21 days of the publica-
tion of this notice in the Official Journal of the European
Union.

(iii) The questionnaire replies from sampled parties must
reach the Commission within 37 days from the date of
the notification of their inclusion in the sample.

(c) Specific time limit for the selection of the market economy country

Parties to the investigation may wish to comment on the
appropriateness of the United States of America which, as
mentioned in point 5.1(d),
is envisaged as a market
economy country for the purpose of establishing normal
value in respect of the People's Republic of China and
Ukraine. These comments must reach the Commission
within 10 days of the date of publication of this notice in
the Official Journal of the European Union.

(d) Specific time limit for submission of claims for market economy

status and/or for individual treatment

Duly substantiated claims for market economy status (as
mentioned in point 5.1(e)) and/or for individual treatment
pursuant to Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation, must reach
the Commission within 15 days of publication of
this
notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

‘Limited’ (1) and, in accordance with Article 19(2) of the basic
Regulation,
accompanied by a non-confidential
version, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested
parties’.

shall be

Commission address for correspondence:
European Commission
Directorate General for Trade
Directorate B
Office: J-79 5/16
B-1049 Brussels
Fax (32-2) 295 65 05.

8. Non-cooperation

In cases in which any interested party refuses access to or does
not provide the necessary information within the time limits,
or significantly impedes the investigation, provisional or final
findings, affirmative or negative, may be made in accordance
with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the
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. If an interested
party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially and find-
ings are therefore based on facts available in accordance with
the result may be less
Article 18 of the basic Regulation,
favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

7. Written submissions, questionnaire replies and cor-

respondence

9. Schedule of the investigation

All submissions and requests made by interested parties must
be made in writing (not in electronic format, unless otherwise
specified) and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address,
telephone and fax numbers of the interested party. All written
submissions, including the information requested in this notice,
questionnaire replies and correspondence provided by inter-
ested parties on a confidential basis shall be labelled as

The investigation will be concluded, according to Article 6(9)
of the basic Regulation within 15 months of the date of the
publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European
Union. According to Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation, provi-
sional measures may be imposed no later than 9 months from
the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the Euro-
pean Union.

(1) This means that

the document

is for internal use only.

is
protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001
of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding public
access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents
(OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant
to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994
(Anti-dumping Agreement).

It