3.12.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 3231 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1193/2008 of 1 December 2008 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duties imposed on imports of citric acid 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 (') (the basic Regulation), and in particular Article 9 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROVISIONAL MEASURES On 4 September 2007, the Commission published a notice (%) initiating an anti-dumping proceeding on imports into the Community of citric acid originating in the People’s Republic of China (the PRC). On 3 June 2008, the Commission, by Regulation (EC) No 4882008 (%) (the provisional Regulation) imposed a pro- visional anti-dumping duty on imports of citric acid orig- inating in the PRC. It is noted that the proceeding was initiated following a complaint lodged by the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) (the complainant) on behalf of a producer representing a major proportion of the total Community production of citric acid, in this case more than 25 %. 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. 205, 4.9.2007, p. 14. 143, 3.6.2008, p. 13. [l Wanl G) As set out in recital 14 of the provisional Regulation, the investigation of dumping and injury covered the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (investigation period’ or ‘IP’). With respect to the trends relevant for the injury assessment, the Commission analysed data covering the period from 1 January 2004 to the end of the IP (period considered). B. SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE Following the imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of citric acid originating in the PRC, several interested parties submitted comments in writing. The parties who so requested were also granted the opportunity to be heard. The Commission continued to seck and verify all infor- mation it deemed necessary for its definitive findings. In particular, the Commission intensified the investigation with regard to Community interest aspects. In this connection, one additional verification visit was carried out after the imposition of the provisional measures at the premises of the following user of citric acid in the European Union: — Reckitt-Benckiser Corporate Services Ltd, Slough, UK and Nowy Dwor, Poland. In addition, as explained in detail in recital 11, verifi- cation visits were carried out at the premises of the following exporting producers: — Laiwu Taihe Biochemistry Co. Ltd (Laiwu Taihe), Laiwu City, Shandong Province,