The general provisional rate of anti-dumping duty is 49.4 percent. This rate is applied to the net, free-at-Community-frontier price before duty.

The duties became effective on 29 February 2000 and will remain effective until 31 August 2000. Interested parties have until 30 March 2000 to contact the Commission if they wish to make their views known.

The products covered by the measure are threaded malleable cast iron tube or pipe fittings falling within CN code ex 7307 19 10 (TARIC code 7307 19 10*10).

Imposition of the duties arose from an investigation that began on 29 May 1999 following a complaint lodged by the Defence Committee of Malleable Cast Iron Tube or Pipe Fittings Industry of the European Union which represents the entire European production of these goods. Three Chinese companies applied for market economy treatment. The claim made by one company was rejected because the accounts it submitted had not been audited. For another company, it was held that there was significant state intervention in the form of tax rebates and in setting salary levels for workers. For a third company, the Commission found that its accounts had not been independently audited and the method used in drawing up the accounts had not been in accordance with international accounting standards.

Thailand was used as appropriate market economy third country in the Commission's investigation.

During the six-month period to 31 August 2000, the European Commission is continuing its investigations into the allegations of dumping. The usual procedure would be that a proposal relating to the conversion of provisional into definitive duties (or termination of the proceedings) would be presented to the Council of the European Union for its approval by the end of the period.

We will keep readers updated with further developments on the progress of the Commission investigation.