20.2.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 50/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 393/98 of 16 February 1998 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of stainless steel fasteners and parts thereof originating in the People’s Republic of China, India, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand 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(4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commis- sion after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROVISIONAL MEASURES (1) By Commission Regulation (EC) No 1732/97 (3 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the provisional duty Regulation’) provisional anti-dumping duties were imposed on imports into the Community of stain- less steel fasteners and parts thereof (hereafter called SSFs) falling within CN codes 7318 12 10, 7318 1410, 73181530, 73181551, 73181561, 73181570 and 7318 16 30 originating in the People’s Republic of China, India, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand. B. SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE ) Following the imposition of the provisional anti- dumping measures, certain interested parties submitted comments in writing. (3  Those parties who so requested were granted an opportunity to be heard by the Commission. 4) The Commission continued to seek and verify all information deemed necessary for its definitive findings. (") OJ L 56, 6. 3. 1996, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regula- tion (EC) No 2331/96 (OJ L 317, 6. 12. 1996, p. 1). () OJ L 243, 4. 9. 1997, p. 17. ©) % Parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was intended to recommend the imposition of defin- itive anti-dumping duties and the definitive collec- tion of amounts secured by way of provisional duties. They were also granted a period within which to make representations subsequent to this disclosure. The oral and written comments were considered and, where deemed appropriate, taken into account in the definitive findings. C. PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT For the purposes of its preliminary findings the Commission considered stainless steel fasteners produced and sold in India, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Thailand and those exported to the Community from the countries concerned as well as those produced and sold in the Community by Community producers, as like products within the meaning of Article 1(4) of Regulation (EC) No 384/96 (hereafter called ‘the Basic Regulation’) as they have the same basic physical, chemical and technical characteristics and uses. It has again been claimed by some exporters (as prior to the imposition of provisional measures) that nuts imported from the countries concerned should be excluded from the investigation on the basis that there is little or no production of nuts within the Community. However, as at the provisional stage, this allegation is not confirmed by the results of the investigation which has shown that nuts are manufactured by the Community producers. It was not, therefore, considered justifiable to exclude nuts from the scope of the present proceeding.