In view of the apparently large number of parties involved in the proceedings, the Commission may apply sampling technique. Exporters/producers, or representatives acting on their behalf should, within 15 days from 19 December 2003, make themselves known to the Commission and provide information requested in paragraph 5.1 (a) (i) of the notice in question, including contact details, turnover, indication of intention to claim an individual margin, activities of their company/companies, and indication of agreement for being included in the sample which implies replying to a questionnaire and accepting an on-the-spot investigation.

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

Exporters/producers sampled must reply to the questionnaires within 37 days from the date of the notification of their inclusion in the sample.

The Commission will send market economy status claim forms to all exporters/producers who have either been included in the sample or named in the complaint and to any association of exporters/producers named in the complaint, and to the authorities of the mainland of China.

Exporters/producers claiming market economy status should submit duly substantiated claim forms to the Commission within 21 days of the date of the selection of any sample or as determined by the Commission.

Exporters/producers requesting for an individual margin should, within 15 days from 19 December 2003, request a copy of the questionnaire from the Commission. They must submit a completed questionnaire within 40 days from 19 December 2003 unless otherwise specified.

Exporter/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.

All interested parties may make their views known in writing (including submitting questionnaire replies) and provide supporting evidence to the Commission within 40 days from 19 December 2003 unless otherwise specified. They may also apply to be heard by the Commission within 40 days from 19 December 2003.

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

European Commission
Directorate General for Trade
Directorate B
Office : J-79 5/16
B-1049 Brussels

Fax : (32-2) 295 6505
Telex : COMEU B 21877

Provisional measures may be imposed no later than nine months from 19 December 2003. Investigation will be concluded within 15 months from 19 December 2003.