Certain organic coated steel products, i.e. flat-rolled products of non-alloy and alloy steel (not including stainless steel) which are painted, varnished or coated with plastics on at least one side, excluding so-called 'sandwich panels' of a kind used for building applications and consisting of two outer metal sheets with a stabilising core of insulation material sandwiched between them, and excluding those products with a final coating of zinc-dust (a zinc-rich paint, containing by weight 70 % or more of zinc), currently falling within CN codes ex 7210 70 80, ex 7212 40 80, ex 7225 99 00, ex 7226 99 70. These CN codes are given for information only.

In view of the potentially large number of exporting producers 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 exporting producers, or representatives acting on their behalf should provide information requested in paragraph 5.1.1.1(a) 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. Exporting producers should also indicate, in the event that they are not selected to be part of the sample, whether they would like to receive a questionnaire and other claim forms to claim an individual margin. Such information should reach the Commission within 15 days from 21 December 2011, unless otherwise specified.

All interested parties wishing to submit any relevant information regarding the selection of the sample must do so within 21 days from 21 December 2011, unless otherwise specified.

If a sample is necessary, the exporting producers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of exports to the Union which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known exporting producers, the authorities of the Mainland of China and associations of exporting producers will be notified of the companies selected to be in the sample. All exporting producers selected to be in the sample must submit a completed questionnaire within 37 days from the date of notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

Companies that had agreed to their possible inclusion in the sample but were not selected shall be considered to be cooperating ("non-sampled cooperating exporting producers"). Non-sampled cooperating exporting producers wishing to claim an individual dumping margin must request a questionnaire and other claim form, and must submit the completed questionnaire reply within 37 days from the date of notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

The Commission will also send market economy status claim forms to all exporting producers in the Mainland of China who have been included in the sample and to non-sampled cooperating exporting producers who wish to apply for an individual margin, to any known association of exporting producers, 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 21 days of the date of the notification of sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

Exporting 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 exporting 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, submit information and provide supporting evidence within 37 days from 21 December 2011, unless otherwise specified.

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission. Request to be heard should be made in writing and should specify the reasons for the request. For hearings on issues pertaining to the initial stage of the investigation, request must be submitted within 15 days from 21 December 2011. Thereafter, a request to be heard should be submitted within the specific deadlines set by the Commission in its communication with the parties.

It is envisaged to choose either Canada or South Africa 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 these countries within 10 days from 21 December 2011.

Interested parties should make all submissions and requests in electronic format (the non-confidential submissions via e-mail, the confidential ones on CD-R/DVD), and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers of the interested party. However, any Powers of Attorney, signed certifications, and any updates thereof, accompanying claim forms, questionnaire replies or any updates thereof, shall be submitted on paper, i.e. by post or by hand, at the address below. If an interested party cannot provide its submissions and requests in electronic format, it must immediately inform the Commission. For further information concerning correspondence with the Commission, interested parties may consult the relevant web page on the website of Directorate-General for Trade:
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/tackling-unfair-trade/trade-defence/

Commission address for correspondence: 

European Commission 
Directorate-General for Trade 
Directorate H 
Office: N105 04/092 
1049 Brussels 
Belgium 

Fax +32 22956505 

E-mail: TRADE-OCS-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu

Provisional measures may be imposed no later than nine months from 21 December 2011. Investigation will be concluded within 15 months from 21 December 2011.