The European Commission (EC) has issued a notice related to initiation of an anti-subsidy proceeding concerning imports of polyester staple fibres (PSF) originating in the People’s Republic of China, India and Vietnam.
The EC said it has received a complaint pursuant to Article 10 of Council Regulation (EC) No 597/2009 of 11 June 2009 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Community (1), alleging that imports of PSF originating in the three countries are being subsidised and are thereby causing material injury to the Union industry.
It said the complaint was lodged in November 2013 by the European Man-made Fibres Association (CIRFS), on behalf of producers representing more than 25 percent of the total Union production of PSF.
The product subject to this investigation is synthetic staple fibres of polyesters, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, the EC said.
The prima facie evidence provided by CIRFS shows that the producers of the product concerned from China, India and Vietnam have benefited from a number of subsidies granted by their respective Governments.
The evidence also shows that the import volume and the prices of the product under investigation have had, among other consequences, a negative impact on the level of prices charged and the market share held by the EU industry, resulting in substantial adverse effects on the overall performance and the financial situation of the EU industry.
The investigation will determine whether the product under investigation originating in the countries concerned is being subsidised and whether these subsidised imports have caused injury to the EU industry.
If the conclusions are affirmative, the investigation will examine whether the imposition of measures would not be against the EU interest.
The EU has invited the Governments of China, India and Vietnam for consultations, the EU said in its notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The investigation will be concluded within 13 months from December 19, 2013, and provisional measures may be imposed no later than nine months from the same date.
