16. 10. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities L 284/57 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2025/97 of 15 October 1997 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports into the Community of advertising matches originating in Japan and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed 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 Com- munity ('), and in particular Article 23 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2423/88 of 11 July 1988 on protection against dumped or sub- sidized imports from countries not members of the Euro- pean Economic Community(*), and in particular Article 12 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commis- sion after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROVISIONAL MEASURES () By Commission Regulation (EC) No 1092/97 (%) (hereinafter referred to as the provisional duty Regulation) provisional duties were imposed on imports into the Community of advertising matches falling within CN 3605 00 00 and origin- ating in Japan. B. SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE 1. Duration of provisional measures (20 In July 1997 exporters representing a significant percentage of the trade involved objected to the Commission’s proposal to extend the four months validity of the provisional anti-dumping duties for two more months as allowed by Regulation (EEC) No 2423/88 (hereinafter referred to as the basic Regulation). In support of this position, they argued (') 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). (3 OJ L 209, 2. 8. 1988, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 522/94 (O] L 66, 10. 3. 1994, p. 10). () OJ L 158, 17. 6. 1997, p. 8. ) ) (6) ) that the investigation had already taken an exces- sive length of time, thus prolonging uncertainty and damaging their business. This objection seems to be in contradiction with the request made by the exporters concerned that the Commission should analyse in more depth several key issues in the investigation: it should be recalled that the Commission has already stated in recital 7 of the provisional duty Regulation that the present investigation has been particularly complex. In these circumstances, further in-depth analysis of arguments put forward by these parties, as well as extensions granted to them for submissions and replies, had to be restricted to a minimum. Following the imposition of provisional anti- dumping measures, the following interested parties submitted comments in writing: (a) producers/exporters in Japan: — Kobe Match Co. Ltd, Ibo-gun, — Yaka Chemical Industry Co. Ltd, Himej, — Daiwa Trading & Industrial Co. Lid, Himej, — Harima Match Company Co. Ltd, Himejs; (b) the representative of the Community industry on behalf of their clients; (c) importers located in the Community: — Advertising support Werbetridger Vertriebs GmbH. The parties who so requested were granted an opportunity to be heard by the Commission. The Commission continued to seek and verify all the information it deemed necessary for the purpose of its definitive findings within the period of time available. 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.