6.6.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 139/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 964/2003 of 2 June 2003 imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain tube or pipe-fittings, of iron or steel, originating in the People's Republic of China and Thailand, and those consigned from Taiwan, whether declared as originating in Taiwan or not 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 (!) (basic Regulation’), and in particular Article 11(2) and (3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission, after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION (1) By Regulation (EC) No 584/96 (%), the Council imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain tube or pipe-fittings, of iron or steel, originating in the People's Republic of China (‘China’), Croatia and Thai- land. The measures applying to these imports consisted of an ad valorem duty, except for three Thai exporting producers from which undertakings were accepted by Commission Decision 96/252EC (°). In July 2000, the anti-dumping measure applicable to the imports of one of these three companies was repealed, following an interim review requested by this company, pursuant to Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation and which showed the absence of dumping (*). (2)  Pursuant to Article 13(3) of the basic Regulation, the anti-dumping measures on imports from China have been extended by Regulation (EC) No 763/2000 (), to cover certain imports of the product concerned which J L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation 0) No 1972/2002 (O] L 305, 7.11.2002, p. 1). () OJ L 84, 3.4.1996, p. 1. () OJ L 84, 3.4.1996, p. 46. () Commission Decision 2000/453/EC (O] L 182, 21.7.2000, p. 25). () O] L 94, 14.4.2000, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2314/2000 (O] L 267, 20.10.2000, p. 15). () 0 are consigned from Taiwan, based on the findings in an anti-circumvention investigation. B. PRESENT INVESTIGATION Following the publication, in September 2000, of a notice (°) of the impending expiry of the anti-dumping measures in force, the Commission received a request for an expiry review lodged by the Defence Committee of EU Steel Butt-welding Fittings Industry, on behalf producers representing a major proportion of the total Community production of certain tube or pipe-fittings of iron or steel. The request alleged that injurious dumping of imports originating in China and Thailand (‘the countries concerned’) would be likely to recur if measures expired. The applicant Community producers did not request the initiation of an expiry review concerning imports originating in Croatia on the grounds that available statistics show very low exports worldwide and, accordingly, no reliable evidence concerning the likely recurrence of injurious dumping. Consequently, the measures applicable to imports origi- nating in Croatia expired on 4 April 2001. Having determined, after consultation of the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence existed for the initia- tion of a review, the Commission initiated an investiga- tion (), pursuant to Article 11(2) of the basic Regula- tion. At the same time, likewise after consultation of the Advi- sory Committee, the Commission initiated an ex officio interim review pursuant to Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation, in order to examine the appropriateness of the form of the measures concerning the imports origi- nating in Thailand. 0OJ C 271, 22.9.2000, p. 4. 0J C 103, 3.4.2001, p. 5.