25.2.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 49/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 397/1999 of 22 February 1999 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of bicycles originating in Taiwan 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 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 1833/98 (3 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Provisional Duty Regulation’), provisional anti-dumping duties were imposed on imports into the Community of bicycles falling within CN code 871200 10, 871200 30, 8712 00 80 and originating in Taiwan. B. SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE (20  Following the imposition of provisional anti- dumping duties, several interested parties submitted comments in writing. (3)  The parties who so requested were granted an opportunity to be heard by the Commission. (40  The Commission continued to seek and verify all the information it deemed necessary for the purpose of its definitive findings. A verification visit was carried out at the premises of the following importer not related to any Taiwanese exporting producer and located in the Community: — Bikeurope BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands. (5)  All parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was intended to recommend the imposition of defini- (") 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). () OJ L 238, 26. 8. 1998, p. 10. tive 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 submitted by the parties were considered, and, where deemed appro- priate, the definitive findings have been changed accordingly. C. PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT Since no comments with regard to the definition of the product concerned and the like product were received, the contents of recitals 13 to 19 of the Provisional Duty Regulation are hereby confirmed. D. NEW EXPORTING PRODUCERS IN TAIWAN As explained in the Provisional Duty Regulation, in view of the large number of exporting producers in Taiwan, the Commission decided to apply sampling techniques in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 384/96 (hereafter referred to as ‘the Basic Regulation’). No arguments have been advanced concerning the selection of the sample of exporting producers which was made with the consent of the association representing them. One month before the adoption of provisional measures, a number of exporting producers in Taiwan made themselves known and requested new exporting producer status. Following the adop- tion of provisional measures the Commission, by means of a special questionnaire, examined whether these companies did not export the product concerned to the Community during the