19.7.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L195/15 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1471/2001 of 16 July 2001 terminating the interim review and amending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Regula- tion (EC) No 423/97 on imports of gas-fuelled non-refillable pocket flint lighters originating, inter alia, in Thailand insofar as a Thai exporting producer is concerned 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 11(3) thereof, Whereas: A. EXISTING MEASURES (1) Council Regulation (EC) No 423/97 (3) imposed anti- dumping duties on imports of gas-fuelled non-refillable pocket flint lighters originating, inter alia, in Thailand. Undertakings were accepted by Commission Decision 97/167/EC (%) in connection with the review of Council Regulation (EEC) No 343391 (4. B. REQUEST FOR AN INTERIM REVIEW 2)  In April 2000, the Thai exporting producer, Thai Merry Co. Ltd (hereinafter referred to as the ‘applicant’) lodged a request for an interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to it, limited to its situation of dumping, pursuant to Article 11(3) of Regulation (EC) No 384/96 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘basic Regula- tion’). The request alleged that changed circumstances of a lasting nature, such as the decline of its production costs, had led to a considerably reduced normal value, which in turn has reduced or eliminated dumping so that the continued imposition of the measures in respect of its imports was no longer necessary to counteract dumping. (3)  Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Commiittee, that sufficient evidence existed for the initia- tion of an interim review, the Commission published a () OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2238/2000 (O] L 257, 11.10.2000, p. 2). () OJ L 65, 6.3.1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 150897 (O] L 204, 31.7.1997, p. 7). () O] L 65, 6.3.1997, p. 54. () O] L 326, 28.11.1991, p. 1. notice (Notice of Initiation’) () and commenced an investigation. C. PROCEDURE (4)  The Commission officially advised the representatives of the exporting country and the applicant of the initiation of the interim review and gave all parties directly concerned the opportunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing. The Commission also sent a questionnaire to the applicant, which replied within the time limits 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 carried out a verification visit at the prem- ises of the applicant. (6)  The investigation of dumping covered the period from 1 October 1999 to 30 September 2000 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘investigation period). D. PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT Product concerned (7)  The product concerned is the same as in the previous investigation, i.e. gas-fuelled non-refillable pocket flint lighters, also known as disposable flint lighters currently classifiable within CN code ex 9613 10 00. Like product (8)  As in the previous investigation, this investigation has shown that the lighters produced in Thailand by the applicant and sold on the Thai market or exported to the Community have the same physical characteristics and the same uses and therefore are to be considered a like product within the meaning of Article 1(4) of the basic Regulation. () O] C 311, 31.10.2000, p. 5.