29.4.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 116/1 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 655/2006 of 27 April 2006 extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Regulation (EC) No 964/2003 on imports of tube or pipe fittings, of iron or steel, originating in the People’s Republic of China to imports of tube or pipe fittings, of iron or steel, consigned from the Philippines, whether declared as originating in the Philippines 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 (') (the basic Regulation) and in particular Article 13 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROCEDURE 1. Existing measures (1)  Following an expiry review, by Regulation (EC) No 964/2003 (3) (the original Regulation), the Council imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of 58,6 % on imports of tube or pipe fittings (other than cast fittings, flanges and threaded fittings) of iron or steel (not including stainless steel) with a greatest external diameter not exceeding 609,6 mm, of a kind used for butt-welding or other purposes (tube or pipe fittings or the product concerned), originating, inter alia, in the People’s Republic of China (the PRC) and extended the measures to imports of the same fittings consigned from Taiwan, with the exception of those produced by three specific Taiwanese companies. (2)  In December 2004, by Regulations (EC) No 2052/2004 and No 2053/2004, the Council extended the above- mentioned definitive anti-dumping duties to imports of (") OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2117/2005 (OJ L 340, 23.12.2005, p. 17). (® OJ L 139, 6.6.2003, p. 1. ( ( ‘) ’) oJ L o L the same tube or pipe fittings consigned from Indonesia (*) and Sri Lanka (¥ respectively. 2. Request On 23 June 2005, the Commission received a request pursuant to Article 13(3) of the basic Regulation to investigate the alleged circumvention of the anti- dumping measures imposed on imports of tube or pipe fittings originating in the PRC by means of the trans- hipment and incorrect declaration of origin via the Philippines. The request was submitted by the Defence Committee of the Steel Butt-Welding Fittings Industry of the European Union on behalf of four Community producers, representing a major proportion of the Community production of certain tube and pipe fittings. The request alleged and submitted sufficient prima facie evidence that there had been a change in the pattern of trade following the imposition of the anti-dumping measures on imports of tube or pipe fittings originating in the PRC, as shown by a significant increase in imports of the same product from the Philippines. This change in the pattern of trade was alleged to stem from the transhipment of tube or pipe fittings originating in the PRC via the Philippines. It was further alleged that there was insufficient due cause or economic justification for these practices other than the existence of the anti- dumping duties on tube or pipe fittings originating in the PRC. Finally, the applicant alleged and submitted prima facie evidence showing that the remedial effects of the existing anti-dumping duties on tube or pipe fittings originating in the PRC were being undermined both in terms of quantities and prices and that dumping was taking place in relation to the normal values previously estab- lished for the tube or pipe fittings originating in the PRC. 5, 1.12.2004, p. 4. 5, 1.12.2004, p. 9. W W 5 5