Flat-rolled products of stainless steel, not further worked than cold-rolled (cold-reduced), normally declared within CN codes 7219 31 00, 7219 32 10, 7219 32 90, 7219 33 10, 7219 33 90, 7219 34 10, 7219 34 90, 7219 35 10, 7219 35 90, 7220 20 21, 7220 20 29, 7220 20 41, 7220 20 49, 7220 20 81 and 7220 20 89 (these CN codes are given for information only).

In view of the apparent large number of parties involved in the proceeding, the Commission may apply sampling. 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 should provide information requested in paragraph 5.1. (a) (i) of the notice in question, including contact details, turnover, activities of their company/related companies, and indication of agreement for being included in the sample which implies replying to a questionnaire and accepting an on-the-spot investigation. Such information should reach the Commission within 15 days from 1 February 2008. All interested parties wishing to submit any relevant information regarding the selection of the sample must do so within 21 days from 1 February 2008.

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

In order to obtain necessary information for the investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the sampled Community industry, any association of producers in the Community, the sampled exporters/producers in the Mainland of China, any association of exporters/producers, the sampled importers, any association of importers named in the complaint, known users and the authorities of the Mainland of China.

The Commission will also send market economy status claim forms to all exporters/producers in the Mainland of China who have either been included in the sample or named in the complaint, to any association of exporters/producers named in the complaint, and to the authorities of the Mainland of China. Duly substantiated claims for market economy status and/or for individual treatment must reach the Commission within 15 days from 1 February 2008.

Exporters/producers requesting for an individual margin should, within 10 days from 1 February 2008, request a copy of the questionnaire from the Commission. They must submit a completed questionnaire within 40 days from 1 February 2008, unless otherwise specified.

Exporters/producers claiming individual margin should however note that if sampling is applied, the Commission may decide not to calculate an individual margin for them if the number of exporters/producers is so large that individual examination would be unduly burdensome and would prevent the timely completion of the investigation.

If sampling is applied, exporters/producers sampled must reply to the questionnaires within 37 days from the date of the notification of their inclusion in the sample.

All interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account, must make themselves known by contacting the Commission and present their views and submit questionnaire replies or any other information within 40 days from 1 February 2008, unless otherwise specified. They may also apply to be heard by the Commission within 40 days from 1 February 2008.

It is envisaged to choose Mexico as a market economy country for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of the Mainland of China. Interested parties are invited to comment on the appropriateness of this choice within 10 days from 1 February 2008.

All correspondence must be made in writing (not in electronic format, unless otherwise specified) indicating the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers of the interested party and should be sent to the following address :

European Commission
Directorate General for Trade
Directorate H
Office : J-79 4/23
B-1049 Brussels
Fax : (32-2) 295 65 05

Provisional measures may be imposed no later than 9 months from 1 February 2008. Investigation will be concluded within 15 months from 1 February 2008.