L 199/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 30.7.1999 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1683/1999 of 28 July 1999 initiating an investigation concerning the alleged circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 584/96 on imports of certain tube and pipe fittings of iron or steel originating in the People's Republic of China by imports of the same tube and pipe fittings of iron or steel transhipped through Taiwan, and making such imports subject to registration THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 905/98 (%) and in particular Articles 13(3) and 14(5) thereof, After having consulted the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. REQUEST The Commission has received a request pursuant to Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 384/96 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Basic Regulation’) to investigate the alleged circumvention of the anti-dumping measures imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 584/96 (}) on imports of certain tube and pipe fittings of iron or steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘tube and pipe fittings’) origin- ating in the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as ‘the PRC). According to the request, the aforementioned anti-dumping measures are allegedly circumvented by imports of the same tube and pipe fittings transhipped, without undergoing substantial transformation, through Taiwan. Furthermore, a request was made to make these imports subject to registration by the Customs authorities pursuant to Article 14(5) of the Basic Regulation and, where justified, to propose to the Council the extension of the above anti-dumping measures to these imports. B. APPLICANT The request has been lodged on 11 June 1999 by the Defence Committee of the EEC steel butt-welding fittings industry on behalf of producers representing approxi- mately 90 % of the Community production of tube and pipe fittings. 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. oj L 0] L 128, 30.4.1998, p. 18. oj L 84, 3.4.1996, p. 1. C. PRODUCT The product concerned by the allegation of circumven- tion is tube and pipe fittings (other than cast fittings, flanges and threaded fittings), of iron or steel (not including stainless steel), with a greatest external diam- eter not exceeding 609,6 mm, of a kind used for butt- welding or other purposes, currently classifiable within CN codes ex 7307 9311, ex 7307 9319, ex 7307 99 30 and ex 7307 99 90. These codes are given for information only. D. EVIDENCE The request contains sufficient prima facie evidence in accordance with the requirements of Article 13 of the Basic Regulation, that the anti-dumping measures on imports of tube and pipe fittings of iron or steel origin- ating in the PRC are being circumvented by imports of the same tube and pipe fittings transhipped through Taiwan. The evidence submitted is as follows: (@) The request shows that a clear change in the pattern of trade between the PRC, Taiwan and the Community has taken place, following imposition of provisional measures in 1995 and definitive meas- ures in 1996. Volumes of imports originating in the PRC, recorded under CN codes within which the tube and pipe fitting are classified, have decreased from 3 941 tonnes in 1995 to 503 tonnes in 1996, and 283 tonnes in 1998, i.e. a total decrease by 93 % or 3 658 tonnes. Concomitantly, imports of the same product from Taiwan have increased from 1 442 tonnes in 1995 to 6 920 tonnes in 1996, and 5321 tonnes in 1998, i.e. a total increase over the period by 269 %, or 3879 tonnes. The total decrease of Chinese imports (3 658 tonnes) nearly exactly corresponds to the total increase of Taiwa- nese imports (3 879 tonnes). This change in the pattern of trade is alleged to stem from a transhipment of Chinese tube and pipe fittings via Taiwan, where they undergo none or minor modification, for which there is insufficient due course or economic justification other than the existence of the anti-dumping duty of 58,6 % on tube and pipe fitting originating in the PRC.