22.12.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 328/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2722/1999 of 17 December 1999 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of furfuraldehyde originating in the People's Republic of China THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 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 (!), and in particular Article 9 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROCEDURE 1. Previous investigation (1)  In January 1995, the Council, by Regulation (EC) No 95/95 (3), imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of furfuraldehyde originating in the People's Republic of China (hereafter referred to as the ‘PRC). The amount of duty applicable was ECU 352 per tonne. 2. Request for a review 2) A Chinese exporter, the China National Chemical Import and Export Corp. (hereafter ‘Sinochem’), lodged a request for an interim review of the measures, pursuant to Article 11(3) of the Regulation (EC) No 384/96 (here- after referred to as the Basic Regulation) on 5 July 1996. The grounds for the review application were based on the allegations that due to the increase in prices of imports originating in the PRC an anti-dumping duty was no longer necessary to offset dumping; that the volume of exports to the Community by the applicant was low; and that a substantial change in the structure in the Community industry had occurred as a result of the accession of Austria with the consequent appearance of a new Community producer, which improved the overall situation of the Community industry. (") OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 905/98 (OJ L 128, 30.4.1998, p. 18). (@) OJ L 15, 21.1.1995, p. 11. On the basis of the above elements, the Commission considered that sufficient evidence existed for the initia- tion of an interim review, in respect of dumping and injury as well as Community interest. (3) In May 1997 the Commission, therefore, announced by a notice (hereafter referred to as ‘notice of initiation’) published in the Official Journal of the European Communi- ties (%) the initiation of an interim review with regard to the measures on imports of furfuraldehyde originating in the PRC and commenced an investigation. 3. Present investigation (40 The Commission officially advised the producers in the Community, producers/exporters, importers and user industries known to be concerned and their repres- entative associations, as well as the representatives of the exporting country. All parties directly concerned were given the opportunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing within the time limit set in the notice of initiation. (5)  The Commission sought and verified all information it deemed necessary for the purpose of a determination of dumping and the analysis of the situation of the Community industry and carried out verification visits at the premises of the following companies: (a) Community producers — Furfural Espafiol, Spain — Lenzing AG, Austria (b) User industry — Repsol Petroleo, Spain (6)  The investigation of dumping covered the period from 1 May 1996 to 30 April 1997 (hereinafter referred to as the investigation period or IP). The analysis of the situa- tion of the Community industry covered the period 1 January 1994 to 30 April 1997. () O] C 156, 24.5.1997, p. 3.