Tungsten welding electrodes, including tungsten bars and rods for welding electrodes, containing 94% or more by weight of tungsten, other than those obtained simply by sintering, whether or not cut to length, currently falling within CN codes ex 8101 99 10 and ex 8515 90 00 (TARIC codes 8101 99 10 10 and 8515 90 00 10).

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 Annex A to the notice in question, including contact details, turnover and sales volume, activities of their company/related companies, and indication of agreement to possible inclusion in the sample which implies replying to a questionnaire and accepting a visit at their premises to verify their responses. Such information should reach the Commission within 15 days from 9 March 2012, unless otherwise specified.

All interested parties wishing to submit any other relevant information regarding the selection of the sample must do so within 21 days from 9 March 2012, 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, via the authorities of the Mainland of China if considered appropriate, 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.

In the previous investigation, the United States of America was used as an appropriate market economy country for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of the Mainland of China. The Commission envisages using the United States of America again for this purpose. Interested parties are invited to comment on the appropriateness of this choice within 10 days from 9 March 2012.

All interested parties may make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence within 37 days from 9 March 2012, unless otherwise specified.

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission investigation services. 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, the request must be submitted within 15 days from 9 March 2012. Thereafter, a request to be heard should be submitted within the specific deadlines set by the Commission in its communication with the parties.

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 questionnaire replies 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 contact 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 (DG 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 22985353

E-mail: TRADE-R547-Tungsten-el-A@ec.europa.eu
(to be used by exporting producers, related importers, associations and representatives of the Mainland of China, producers in the market economy third country)