L 238/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 22.9.2000 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1993/2000 of 18 September 2000 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional anti-dumping duty imposed on imports of styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic rubber originating in Taiwan 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 Articles 9 and 10 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission, after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROVISIONAL MEASURES (1) By Commission Regulation (EC) No 1091/2000 (3 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the provisional duty Regula- tion’) provisional anti-dumping duties were imposed on imports into the Community of styrene-butadiene- styrene thermoplastic rubber (hereinafter referred to as ‘SBS) falling within CN codes ex 4002 19 00 and ex 4002 99 and originating in Taiwan. (2)  As a result of a parallel anti-subsidy investigation, provi- sional countervailing duties were imposed under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1092/2000 (}) on imports into the Community of SBS originating in Taiwan. B. SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE (3)  Subsequent to the disclosure of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was decided to impose provisional measures, several interested parties submitted comments in writing. In accordance with the provisions of Article 20(1) of Regulation (EC) No 384/ 96 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘basic Regulation’), all interested parties who requested a hearing were granted an opportunity to be heard by the Commission. (4)  The Commission continued to seek and verify all infor- mation deemed necessary for its definitive findings. (5)  All parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it is intended to recommend the imposition of definite anti-dumping duties on imports of SBS originating in Taiwan and the definite collection of amounts secured by way of provi- sional duties on these imports. (") OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation ] EC) No 905/98 (O] L 128, 30.4.1998, p. 18). () O] L 124, 25.5.2000, p. 12. 0] L 124, 25.5.2000, p. 26. (10) They were also granted a period within which they could make representations subsequent to this dis- closure. The oral and written comments submitted by the inter- ested parties were considered and, where deemed appro- priate, taken into account for the definitive findings. Having reviewed the provisional findings on the basis of the information gathered since then, it is concluded that the main findings as set out in the provisional Regula- tion should be hereby confirmed. C. PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT The product concerned is styrene-butadiene-styrene ther- moplastic rubber, which is currently classifiable within CN codes ex 4002 19 00 and ex 4002 99. One Community importer claimed that SBS imported from Taiwan has a different fluidity and resistance than SBS produced in the Community. However, the Commission investigation revealed that producers in Taiwan produce different types of SBS with exactly the same composition as those types produced in the Community. The investigation also showed that, although the quality of imports of SBS from Taiwan may have been lower for one company during the years 1995 and 1996 when this company started its produc- tion of SBS, the quality quickly attained a level compar- able to the quality of SBS produced in the Community. Finally, the investigation showed that Community users do not make any quality differentiation between SBS from Taiwan and from the Community. The Commis- sion concluded that SBS imported from Taiwan and SBS produced in the Community share the same characteris- tics and the same level of quality. Another Community importer claimed that dry and oil- extended SBS should be considered as two different products, arguing that dry and oil-extended SBS are used by different industries. However, different producers and users of SBS confirmed to the Commission that many Community users, especially in the footwear industry, do not differentiate dry and oil-extended SBS. It is there- fore concluded that the markets of dry and oil-extended SBS cannot be distinguished. The same company also argued that dry and oil- extended SBS are close to other types of products, such as SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene), which are also produced by the Community producers of SBS. The company claimed that there is no justification for distin- guishing SBS from these other products. However, the