ISSN 1977-0677

doi:10.3000/19770677.L_2013.043.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 43

European flag  

English edition

Legislation

Volume 56
14 February 2013


Contents

 

II   Non-legislative acts

page

 

 

REGULATIONS

 

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 125/2013 of 13 February 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 laying down detailed rules for implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries ( 1 )

1

 

*

Commission Regulation (EU) No 126/2013 of 13 February 2013 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) ( 1 )

24

 

*

Commission Regulation (EU) No 127/2013 of 13 February 2013 amending Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation

28

 

 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 128/2013 of 13 February 2013 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

33

 

 

DECISIONS

 

 

2013/79/EU

 

*

Council Decision of 12 February 2013 appointing a German member of the Committee of the Regions

35

 

 

2013/80/EU

 

*

Commission Decision of 13 February 2013 terminating the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of welded tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of square or rectangular cross-section, of iron other than cast iron or steel other than stainless originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine

36

 

 

2013/81/EU

 

*

Commission Decision of 13 February 2013 terminating the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of white phosphorus, also called elemental or yellow phosphorus, originating in the Republic of Kazakhstan

38

 

 

Corrigenda

 

*

Corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 758/2011 of 1 August 2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 1291/2009 concerning the selection of returning holdings for the purpose of determining incomes of agricultural holdings ( OJ L 199, 2.8.2011 )

59

 


 

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

EN

Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.

The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk.


II Non-legislative acts

REGULATIONS

14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/1


COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 125/2013

of 13 February 2013

amending Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 laying down detailed rules for implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (1), and in particular Article 33(2) and (3), and points (c) and (d) of Article 38, thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

In order to improve the supervision of third countries recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and control authorities and control bodies recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of that Regulation, it is appropriate to increase cooperation with those recognised third countries. Therefore, the exchange of experience through the participation of observers in on-the-spot examinations should be possible.

(2)

In the light of the experience gained with the implementation of the equivalence system, it is necessary to clarify that processed agricultural products and all ingredients of such products, imported from third countries having control authorities or control bodies recognised under Article 33(3) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, have been submitted to a control system recognised for the purpose of equivalence in accordance with Union legislation.

(3)

Experience has shown that difficulties can arise in interpreting the consequences of irregularities or infringements affecting the organic status of a product. In order to avoid further difficulties and to clarify the link between Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 of 8 December 2008 laying down detailed rules for implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries (2) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control (3), it is necessary to recall the duties of the control authorities or control bodies of Member States as regards non-compliant products imported from third countries recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 or from third countries having control authorities or control bodies recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of that Regulation. Furthermore, the exchange of information concerning irregularities between the Commission, Member States and the competent authority of a recognised third country or a recognised control authority or control body should be clarified.

(4)

In order to improve the control of imported organic products, Member States should inform other Member States and the Commission of each import authorisation granted pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 within 15 days from the date of issuance of such authorisation.

(5)

Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 contains a list of third countries whose system of production and control measures for organic production of agricultural products are recognised as equivalent to those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. In the light of new information received by the Commission from third countries since the last amendment of that Annex, certain changes should be made in the list.

(6)

The equivalence recognition of India applies to unprocessed plant products and processed agricultural products for use as food that have been grown in India. However, the Indian competent authority has notified the Commission of new guidelines relating to processed products that are inconsistent with the conditions under which India was recognised as equivalent country. In the light of that information, the specifications relating to India should be amended in order to delete the reference to processed products for use as food.

(7)

The equivalence recognition of Japan applies to unprocessed plant products and ingredients in processed agricultural products for use as food that have been grown in Japan. Japan has submitted a request to the Commission to recognise the equivalence also for processed agricultural products for use as food prepared with ingredients imported from countries recognised as equivalent by Japan. The examination of that information and discussion with the Japanese authorities have led to the conclusion that in that country the rules governing production and controls of processed products for use as food prepared with such imported ingredients are equivalent to those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. Consequently, the equivalence recognition of Japan should also apply to processed products for use as food prepared with ingredients imported from countries recognised as equivalent by Japan.

(8)

Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 sets out the list of control bodies and control authorities competent to carry out controls and issue certificates in third countries for the purpose of equivalence. In the light of new information received by the Commission from control bodies and control authorities listed in that Annex, certain changes should be made in the list.

(9)

The Commission has examined requests for inclusion in the list set out in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008, received by 31 October 2012. Control bodies and control authorities in respect of which the subsequent examination of all information received led to the conclusion that they complied with the relevant requirements should be included in that list.

(10)

Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(11)

In order to ensure a smooth transition as regards the lists of recognised third countries and recognised control bodies and control authorities, a later date of application should be set for the amendments of Annexes III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the regulatory Committee on organic production,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 is amended as follows:

(1)

in Article 8(3), the following second subparagraph is added:

‘Experts from other third countries recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 may be invited by the Commission to attend on-the-spot-examination as observers.’;

(2)

in the first subparagraph of Article 13(4), the following point (c) is added:

‘(c)

it has verified, for control bodies recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, that the products covered by the certificate and in the case of processed agricultural products for use as food and feed, all organic ingredients of such products, have been certified by a control authority or control body of a third country recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of that Regulation or by a control authority or control body recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of that Regulation or produced and certified in the Union in accordance with that Regulation. At the request of the Commission or of the competent authority of a Member State, it shall make available without delay the list of all operators in the organic production chain and the competent authorities or control bodies under whose control those operators have placed their operations.’;

(3)

Article 15 is amended as follows:

(a)

in paragraph 2, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:

‘Without prejudice to any measures or actions to be taken in accordance with Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, in case of suspicion of infringements and irregularities as regards compliance of imported organic products from third countries recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 or imported organic products controlled by control authorities or control bodies recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of that Regulation with the requirements laid down in that Regulation, the importer shall take all necessary measures in accordance with Article 91(1) of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.’;

(b)

paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

‘3.   Without prejudice to any measures or actions to be taken in accordance with Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, where a control authority or control body of a Member State or a third country has a substantiated suspicion of an infringement or irregularity as regards compliance of imported organic products from third countries recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 or imported organic products controlled by control authorities or control bodies recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of that Regulation with the requirements laid down in that Regulation, it shall take all necessary measures in accordance with Article 91(2) of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 and shall immediately inform the control bodies, control authorities and competent authorities of the Member States concerned and of the third countries involved in the organic production of the products in question and the Commission.’;

(c)

the following paragraph 4 is added:

‘4.   Where a competent authority of a third country recognised in accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 or a control authority or control body recognised in accordance with Article 33(3) of that Regulation is notified by the Commission after having received a communication from a Member State informing it of a substantiated suspicion of an infringement or irregularity as regards compliance of imported organic products with the requirements laid down in that Regulation or this Regulation, it shall investigate the origin of the suspected irregularity or infringement and shall inform the Commission and the Member State which sent the initial communication of the result of the investigation and of the action taken. That information shall be sent within 30 calendar days from the date of sending of the original notification by the Commission.

The Member State which sent the initial communication may ask the Commission to request additional information, if needed, which shall be sent to the Commission and to the Member State concerned. In any case, after receiving a reply or additional information, the Member State which sent the initial communication shall make the necessary entries and updates in the computer system referred to in Article 94(1) of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.’;

(4)

in Article 19, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2.   Each Member State shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of each authorisation granted pursuant to this Article, including information on the production standards and control arrangements concerned, within 15 days from the date of issue.’;

(5)

Annex III is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation;

(6)

Annex IV is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

However, points (5) and (6) of Article 1 shall apply from 1 April 2013.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2013.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel BARROSO


(1)   OJ L 189, 20.7.2007, p. 1.

(2)   OJ L 334, 12.12.2008, p. 25.

(3)   OJ L 250, 18.9.2008, p. 1.


ANNEX I

Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 is amended as follows:

(1)

Points 1 and 2 of the text relating to India are replaced by the following:

‘INDIA

1.   Product categories:

Category of products

Designation of category as in Annex IV

Limitations

Unprocessed plant products (*1)

A

 

Vegetative propagating material and seeds for cultivation

F

 

2.   Origin: products of categories A and F that have been grown in India.’

(2)

Point 2 of the text relating to Japan is replaced by the following:

‘2.   Origin: products of categories A and F and organically grown ingredients in products of category D that have been grown in Japan or that have been imported into Japan:

either from the Union,

or from a third country for which Japan has recognised that the products have been produced and controlled in that third country in accordance with the rules equivalent to those laid down in the Japanese legislation.’


(*1)  Seaweed not included.


ANNEX II

Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 is amended as follows:

(1)

the text relating to ‘Abcert AG’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Abcert AG

1.

Address: Martinstraße 42-44, 73728 Esslingen am Neckar, Germany

2.

Internet address: http://www.abcert.de

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-137

x

x

Belarus

BY-BIO-137

x

x

Iran

IR-BIO-137

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-137

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-137

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(2)

after the text relating to ‘Abcert AG’ the following text is inserted:

‘ “ Afrisco Certified Organic, CC

1.

Address: P.O. Box 74192, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria 0040, South Africa

2.

Internet address: http://www.afrisco.net

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

South Africa

ZA-BIO-155

x

x

Namibia

NA-BIO-155

x

Mozambique

MZ-BIO-155

x

x

Zambia

ZM-BIO-155

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’;

(3)

after the text relating to ‘Argencert SA’, the following text is inserted:

‘ “ Asure Quality Limited

1.

Address: Level 4, 8 Pacific Rise, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand

2.

Internet address: http://www.organiccertification.co.nz

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

New Zealand

NZ-BIO-156

x

Cook Islands

CK-BIO-156

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine, products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’;

(4)

the text relating to ‘Australian Certified Organic’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Australian Certified Organic

1.

Address: P.O. Box 530 - 766 Gympie Rd, Chermside QLD 4032, Australia

2.

Internet address: http://www.australianorganic.com.au

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Australia

AU-BIO-107

x

x

x

China

CN-BIO-107

x

x

Cook Islands

CK-BIO-107

x

Fiji

FJ-BIO-107

x

x

Falkland Islands

FK-BIO-107

x

Hong Kong

HK-BIO-107

x

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-107

x

x

South Korea

KR-BIO-107

x

Madagascar

MG-BIO-107

x

x

Malaysia

MY-BIO-107

x

x

Papua New Guinea

PG-BIO-107

x

x

Singapore

SG-BIO-107

x

x

Taiwan

TW-BIO-107

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-107

x

x

Vanuatu

VU-BIO-107

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products and products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(5)

the text relating to ‘Austria Bio Garantie GmbH’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Austria Bio Garantie GmbH

1.

Address: Ardaggerstr. 17/1, 3300 Amstetten, Austria

2.

Internet address: http://www.abg.at

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Albania

AL-BIO-131

x

Armenia

AM-BIO-131

x

Afghanistan

AF-BIO-131

x

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-131

x

Belarus

BY-BIO-131

x

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BA-BIO-131

x

Croatia

HR-BIO-131

x

Cuba

CU-BIO-131

x

Georgia

GE-BIO-131

x

Iran

IR-BIO-131

x

Iraq

IQ-BIO-131

x

Jordan

JO-BIO-131

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-131

x

Kosovo (1)

XK-BIO-131

x

Kyrgyzstan

KG-BIO-131

x

Lebanon

LB-BIO-131

x

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

MK-BIO-131

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-131

x

Moldova

MD-BIO-131

x

Montenegro

ME-BIO-131

x

Russia

RU-BIO-131

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-131

x

Tajikistan

TJ-BIO-131

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-131

x

Turkmenistan

TM-BIO-131

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-131

x

Uzbekistan

UZ-BIO-131

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(6)

after the text relating to ‘Austria Bio Garantie GmbH’, the following text is inserted:

‘ “ Balkan Biocert Skopje

1.

Address: 5-8/9, Dame Gruev Str., 1000 Skopje, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

2.

Internet address: http://www.balkanbiocert.mk

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

MK-BIO-157

x

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’;

(7)

the text relating to ‘BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH

1.

Address: Cimbernstraße 21, 90402 Nürnberg, Germany

2.

Internet address: http://www.bcs-oeko.com

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Albania

AL-BIO-141

x

x

Algeria

DZ-BIO-141

x

x

Angola

AO-BIO-141

x

x

Armenia

AM-BIO-141

x

x

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-141

x

x

Belarus

BY-BIO-141

x

x

x

Bolivia

BO-BIO-141

x

x

Botswana

BW-BIO-141

x

x

Brazil

BR-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Burma/Myanmar

MM-BIO-141

x

x

Cambodia

KH-BIO-141

x

x

Chad

TD-BIO-141

x

x

Chile

CL-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

x

China

CN-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

x

Colombia

CO-BIO-141

x

x

x

Costa Rica

CR-BIO-141

x

Côte d’Ivoire

CI-BIO-141

x

x

x

Croatia

HR-BIO-141

x

x

Cuba

CU-BIO-141

x

x

x

Dominican Republic

DO-BIO-141

x

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

x

Egypt

EG-BIO-141

x

x

El Salvador

SV-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Ethiopia

ET-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Georgia

GE-BIO-141

x

x

x

Ghana

GH-BIO-141

x

x

Guatemala

GT-BIO-141

x

x

x

Haiti

HT-BIO-141

x

x

Honduras

HN-BIO-141

x

x

x

Hong Kong

HK-BIO-141

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-141

x

x

Iran

IR-BIO-141

x

x

x

Japan

JP-BIO-141

x

x

Kenya

KE-BIO-141

x

Kosovo (2)

XK-BIO-141

x

x

x

Kyrgyzstan

KG-BIO-141

x

x

x

Laos

LA-BIO-141

x

x

Lesotho

LS-BIO-141

x

x

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

MK-BIO-141

x

x

Malawi

MW-BIO-141

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Moldova

MD-BIO-141

x

x

Montenegro

ME-BIO-141

x

x

Mozambique

MZ-BIO-141

x

x

Namibia

NA-BIO-141

x

x

Nicaragua

NI-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Oman

OM-BIO-141

x

x

x

Panama

PA-BIO-141

x

x

Paraguay

PY-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Peru

PE-BIO-141

x

x

x

Philippines

PH-BIO-141

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-141

x

x

x

Saudi Arabia

SA-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Senegal

SN-BIO-141

x

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-141

x

x

South Africa

ZA-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

South Korea

KR-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Sri Lanka

LK-BIO-141

x

x

Sudan

SD-BIO-141

x

x

Swaziland

SZ-BIO-141

x

x

French Polynesia

PF-BIO-141

x

x

Taiwan

TW-BIO-141

x

x

Tanzania

TZ-BIO-141

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Uganda

UG-BIO-141

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-141

x

x

x

United Arab Emirates

AE-BIO-141

x

x

Uruguay

UY-BIO-141

x

x

x

x

Venezuela

VE-BIO-141

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(8)

the text relating to ‘Bioagricert S.r.l.’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Bioagricert S.r.l.

1.

Address: Via dei Macabraccia 8, Casalecchio di Reno, 40033 Bologna, Italy

2.

Internet address: http://bioagricert.org

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Brazil

BR-BIO-132

x

x

Cambodia

KH-BIO-132

x

China

CN-BIO-132

x

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-132

x

x

French Polynesia

PF-BIO-132

x

x

Laos

LA-BIO-132

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-132

x

x

x

Morocco

MA-BIO-132

x

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-132

x

x

South Korea

KR-BIO-132

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-132

x

x

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-132

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-132

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(9)

the text relating to ‘BioGro New Zealand Limited’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ BioGro New Zealand Limited

1.

Address: P.O. Box 9693 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand

2.

Internet address: http://www.biogro.co.nz

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Malaysia

MY-BIO-130

x

Niue

NU-BIO-130

x

x

Samoa

WS-BIO-130

x

x

Vanuatu

VU-BIO-130

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(10)

after the text relating to ‘BioGro New Zealand Limited’, the following text is inserted:

‘ “ Bio.inspecta AG

1.

Address: Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Switzerland

2.

Internet address: http://www.bio-inspecta.ch

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Albania

AL-BIO-161

x

x

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-161

x

x

Cuba

CU-BIO-161

x

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-161

x

x

Iran

IR-BIO-161

x

x

Kosovo (3)

XK-BIO-161

x

x

Lebanon

LB-BIO-161

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-161

x

x

Tanzania

TZ-BIO-161

x

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-161

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’;

(11)

the text relating to ‘Bio Latina Certificadora’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Bio Latina Certificadora

1.

Address: Av. Alfredo Benavides 330, Ofic. 203, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru

2.

Internet address: http://www.biolatina.com

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Peru

PE-BIO-118

x

x

x

x

Bolivia

BO-BIO-118

x

x

x

Nicaragua

NI-BIO-118

x

x

x

Honduras

HN-BIO-118

x

x

Colombia

CO-BIO-118

x

x

Guatemala

GT-BIO-118

x

x

Panama

PA-BIO-118

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-118

x

x

Venezuela

VE-BIO-118

x

x

El Salvador

SV-BIO-118

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(12)

the text relating to ‘CERES Certification of Environmental Standards GmbH’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ CERES Certification of Environmental Standards GmbH

1.

Address: Vorderhaslach 1, 91230 Happurg, Germany

2.

Internet address: http://www.ceres-cert.com

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Albania

AL-BIO-140

x

x

x

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-140

x

x

Bolivia

BO-BIO-140

x

x

x

Bhutan

BT-BIO-140

x

x

Chile

CL-BIO-140

x

x

x

China

CN-BIO-140

x

x

x

Colombia

CO-BIO-140

x

x

x

Dominican Republic

DO-BIO-140

x

x

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-140

x

x

x

Egypt

EG-BIO-140

x

x

x

Ethiopia

ET-BIO-140

x

x

x

Grenada

GD-BIO-140

x

x

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-140

x

x

x

Jamaica

JM-BIO-140

x

x

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-140

x

x

Kenya

KE-BIO-140

x

x

x

Kyrgyzstan

KG-BIO-140

x

x

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

MK-BIO-140

x

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-140

x

x

x

Moldova

MD-BIO-140

x

x

x

Morocco

MA-BIO-140

x

x

x

Papua New Guinea

PG-BIO-140

x

x

x

Paraguay

PY-BIO-140

x

x

x

Peru

PE-BIO-140

x

x

x

Philippines

PH-BIO-140

x

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-140

x

x

x

Rwanda

RW-BIO-140

x

x

x

Saudi Arabia

SA-BIO-140

x

x

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-140

x

x

x

Singapore

SG-BIO-140

x

x

x

South Africa

ZA-BIO-140

x

x

x

Saint Lucia

LC-BIO-140

x

x

x

Taiwan

TW-BIO-140

x

x

x

Tanzania

TZ-BIO-140

x

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-140

x

x

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-140

x

x

x

Uganda

UG-BIO-140

x

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-140

x

x

x

Uzbekistan

UZ-BIO-140

x

x

x

Vietnam

VN-BIO-140

x

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(13)

the text relating to ‘Ecocert SA’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Ecocert SA

1.

Address: BP 47, 32600 L’Isle-Jourdain, France

2.

Internet address: http://www.ecocert.com

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Algeria

DZ-BIO-154

x

x

Andorra

AD-BIO-154

x

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-154

x

x

Benin

BJ-BIO-154

x

x

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BA-BIO-154

x

x

Brazil

BR-BIO-154

x

x

x

x

Burkina Faso

BF-BIO-154

x

x

Burundi

BI-BIO-154

x

x

Cambodia

KH-BIO-154

x

x

Cameroon

CM-BIO-154

x

x

Canada

CA-BIO-154

x

Chad

TD-BIO-154

x

China

CN-BO-154

x

x

x

x

x

Colombia

CO-BIO-154

x

x

x

Comoros

KM-BIO-154

x

x

Côte d’Ivoire

CI-BIO-154

x

x

Croatia

HR-BIO-154

x

x

Cuba

CU-BIO-154

x

x

Dominican Republic

DO-BIO-154

x

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-154

x

x

x

x

Fiji

FJ-BIO-154

x

x

Ghana

GH-BIO-154

x

x

Guatemala

GT-BIO-154

x

x

Guinea

GN-BIO-154

x

x

Guyana

GY-BIO-154

x

x

Haiti

HT-BIO-154

x

x

India

IN-BIO-154

x

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-154

x

x

Iran

IR-BIO-154

x

x

Japan

JP-BIO-154

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-154

x

Kenya

KE-BIO-154

x

x

Kuwait

KW-BIO-154

x

x

Kyrgyzstan

KG-BIO-154

x

x

Laos

LA-BIO-154

x

x

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

MK-BIO-154

x

x

x

Madagascar

MG-BIO-154

x

x

x

Malawi

MW-BIO-154

x

x

Malaysia

MY-BIO-154

x

x

Mali

ML-BIO-154

x

x

Mauritius

MU-BIO-154

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-154

x

x

Moldova

MD-BIO-154

x

x

Monaco

MC-BIO-154

x

Morocco

MA-BIO-154

x

x

x

x

Mozambique

MZ-BO-154

x

x

x

Namibia

NA-BIO-154

x

Nepal

NP-BIO-154

x

x

Pakistan

PK-BIO-154

x

x

Paraguay

PY-BIO-154

x

x

Peru

PE-BIO-154

x

x

Philippines

PH-BIO-154

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-154

x

Rwanda

RW-BIO-154

x

x

Sao Tome and Principe

ST-BIO-154

x

x

Saudi Arabia

SA-BIO-154

x

x

x

x

Senegal

SN-BIO-154

x

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-154

x

x

x

Somalia

SO-Bio-154

x

x

South Africa

ZA-BIO-154

x

x

x

x

Sudan

SD-BIO-154

x

x

Swaziland

SZ-BIO-154

x

x

Syria

SY-BIO-154

x

x

Tanzania

TZ-BIO-154

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-154

x

x

x

Togo

TG-BIO-154

x

x

Tunisia

TN-BIO-154

x

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-154

x

x

x

x

x

Uganda

UG-BIO-154

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-154

x

United Arab Emirates

AE-BIO-154

x

x

Uzbekistan

UZ-BIO-154

x

Vanuatu

VU-BIO-154

x

x

Vietnam

VN-BIO-154

x

x

Zambia

ZM-BIO-154

x

x

Zimbabwe

ZW-BIO-154

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine, products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(14)

the text relating to ‘Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG), DBA as Quality Certification Services (QCS)’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG), DBA as Quality Certification Services (QCS)

1.

Address: P.O. Box 12311, Gainesville FL, 32604 United States

2.

Internet address: http://www.qcsinfo.org

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Dominican Republic

DO-BIO-144

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-144

x

x

Guatemala

GT-BIO-144

x

x

Honduras

HN-BIO-144

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-144

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(15)

the text relating to ‘IBD Certifications Ltd’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ IBD Certifications Ltd

1.

Address: Rua Dr Costa Leite, 1351, 18602-110, Botucatu SP, Brazil

2.

Internet address: http://www.ibd.com.br

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Brazil

BR-BIO-122

x

x

x

x

China

CN-BIO-122

x

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-122

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(16)

the text relating to ‘IMO Control Latinoamérica Ltda.’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ IMO Control Latinoamérica Ltda.

1.

Address: Calle Pasoskanki 2134, Cochabamba, Bolivia

2.

Internet address: http://www.imo.ch

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Bolivia

BO-BIO-123

x

x

Colombia

CO-BIO-123

x

x

Dominican Republic

DO-BIO-123

x

x

Guatemala

GT-BIO-123

x

x

Haiti

HT-BIO-123

x

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-123

x

x

Nicaragua

NI-BIO-123

x

x

Peru

PE-BIO-123

x

x

Paraguay

PY-BIO-123

x

x

El Salvador

SV-BIO-123

x

x

Venezuela

VE-BIO-123

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(17)

after the text relating to ‘IMO Control Private Limited’, the following text is inserted:

‘ “ IMO-Control Sertifikasyon Tic. Ltd Ști

1.

Address: 225 Sok. No:29 D:7 Bornova, 35040 Izmir, Turkey

2.

Internet address: http://www.imo.ch

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Turkey

TR-BIO-158

x

x

x

x

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’;

(18)

the text relating to ‘Indocert’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Indocert

1.

Address: Thottumugham post, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India

2.

Internet address: http://www.indocert.org

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

India

IN-BIO-148

x

x

Sri Lanka

LK-BIO-148

x

Cambodia

KH-BIO-148

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, products covered by Annex III, seaweed

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(19)

the text relating to ‘Institute for Marketecology (IMO)’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Institute for Marketecology (IMO)

1.

Address: Weststrasse 1, 8570 Weinfelden, Switzerland

2.

Internet address: http://www.imo.ch

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Afghanistan

AF-BIO-143

x

x

x

Albania

AL-BIO-143

x

x

Armenia

AM-BIO-143

x

x

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO -143

x

x

Bangladesh

BD-BIO-143

x

x

x

Bolivia

BO-BIO-143

x

x

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BA-BIO-143

x

x

Brazil

BR-BIO-143

x

x

x

x

x

Burkina Faso

BF-BIO-143

x

Cameroon

CM-BIO-143

x

Canada

CA-BIO-143

x

x

Chile

CL-BIO-143

x

x

x

x

x

China

CN-BIO-143

x

x

x

x

Colombia

CO-BIO-143

x

x

Democratic Republic of Congo

CD-BIO-143

x

x

Côte d’Ivoire

CI-BIO-143

x

x

Croatia

HR-BIO-143

x

x

x

x

Dominican Republic

DO-BIO-143

x

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-143

x

x

El Salvador

SV-BIO-143

x

x

Ethiopia

ET-BIO-143

x

x

Georgia

GE-BIO-143

x

x

Ghana

GH-BIO-143

x

x

Guatemala

GT-BIO-143

x

x

Haiti

HT-BIO-143

x

x

India

IN-BIO-143

x

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-143

x

x

Japan

JP-BIO-143

x

x

Jordan

JO-BIO-143

x

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-143

x

x

Kenya

KE-BIO-143

x

x

Kyrgyzstan

KG-BIO-143

x

x

Liechtenstein

LI-BIO-143

x

Mali

ML-BIO-143

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-143

x

x

Morocco

MA-BIO-143

x

x

Namibia

NA-BIO-143

x

x

Nepal

NP-BIO-143

x

x

Nicaragua

NI-BIO-143

x

x

Niger

NE-BIO-143

x

x

Nigeria

NG-BIO-143

x

x

Occupied Palestinian Territory

PS-BIO-143

x

x

Paraguay

PY-BIO-143

x

x

Peru

PE-BIO-143

x

x

x

Philippines

PH-BIO-143

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-143

x

x

x

Sierra Leone

SL-BIO-143

x

x

Singapore

SG-BIO-143

x

South Africa

ZA-BIO-143

x

x

Sri Lanka

LK-BIO-143

x

x

Sudan

SD-BIO-143

x

x

Suriname

SR-BIO-143

x

x

Syria

SY-BIO-143

x

Tadzhikistan

TJ-BIO-143

x

x

Taiwan

TW-BIO-143

x

x

Tanzania

TZ-BIO-143

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-143

x

Togo

TG-BIO-143

x

x

Uganda

UG-BIO-143

x

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-143

x

x

x

x

Uzbekistan

UZ-BIO-143

x

x

x

Venezuela

VE-BIO-143

x

x

Vietnam

VN-BIO-143

x

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine and products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(20)

the text relating to ‘Istituto Certificazione Etica e Ambientale’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Istituto Certificazione Etica e Ambientale

1.

Address: Via Nazario Sauro 2, 40121 Bologna, Italy

2.

Internet address: http://www.icea.info

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Albania

AL-BIO-115

x

x

Armenia

AM-BIO-115

x

x

Ecuador

EC-BIO-115

x

x

Japan

JP-BIO-115

x

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-115

x

Lebanon

LB-BIO-115

x

Madagascar

MG-BIO-115

x

x

Malaysia

MY-BIO-115

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-115

x

x

x

Moldova

MD-BIO-115

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-115

x

x

x

San Marino

SM-BIO-115

x

Senegal

SN-BIO-115

x

x

Sri Lanka

LK-BIO-115

x

x

Syria

SY-BIO-115

x

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-115

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-115

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-115

x

x

United Arab Emirates

AE-BIO-115

x

x

x

Uruguay

UY-BIO-115

x

x

Vietnam

VN-BIO-115

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine and products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(21)

the text relating to ‘Lacon GmbH’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ LACON GmbH

1.

Address: Brünnlesweg 19, 77654 Offenburg, Germany

2.

Internet address: http://www.lacon-institut.com

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Azerbaijan

AZ-BIO-134

x

x

Bangladesh

BD-BIO-134

x

x

Brazil

BR-BIO-134

x

Burkina Faso

BF-BIO-134

x

x

Croatia

HR-BIO-134

x

x

x

Ghana

GH-BIO-134

x

India

IN-BIO-134

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-134

x

Madagascar

MG-BIO-134

x

Mali

ML-BIO-134

x

Mexico

MX-BIO-134

x

x

Morocco

MA-BIO-134

x

x

Namibia

NA-BIO-134

x

x

Nepal

NP-BIO-134

x

x

Russia

RU-BIO-134

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-134

x

x

South Africa

ZA-BIO-134

x

x

Togo

TG-BIO-134

x

Turkey

TR-BIO-134

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-134

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine, products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(22)

the text relating to ‘Organic agriculture certification Thailand’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Organic agriculture certification Thailand

1.

Address: 619/43 Kiatngamwong Building, Ngamwongwan Rd., Tambon Bangkhen, Muang District, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand

2.

Internet address: http://www.actorganic-cert.or.th

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Burma/Myanmar

MM-BIO-121

x

Indonesia

ID-BIO-121

x

x

Laos

LA-BIO-121

x

x

Malaysia

MY-BIO-121

x

Nepal

NP-BIO-121

x

Thailand

TH-BIO-121

x

x

Vietnam

VN-BIO-121

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(23)

the text related to ‘Organización Internacional Agropecuaria’ is replaced by the following

‘ “ Organización Internacional Agropecuaria

1.

Address: Av. Santa Fe 830 - (B1641ABN) – Acassuso, Buenos Aires — Argentina

2.

Internet address: http://www.oia.com.ar

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Argentina

AR-BIO-110

x

Brazil

BR-BIO-110

x

Uruguay

UY-BIO-110

x

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products and products covered by Annex III

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(24)

after the text relating to ‘Quality Assurance International’, the following text is inserted:

‘ “ SGS Austria Controll-Co. GmbH

1.

Address: Diefenbachgasse 35, 1150 Wien, Austria

2.

Internet address: http://www.sgs-kontrolle.at

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Armenia

AM-BIO-159

x

x

Kazakhstan

KZ-BIO-159

x

x

Republic of Moldova

MD-BIO-159

x

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-159

x

x

South Africa

ZA-BIO-159

x

x

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-159

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’;

(25)

the text relating to ‘Suolo e Salute srl’ is replaced by the following:

‘ “ Suolo e Salute srl

1.

Address: Via Paolo Borsellino 12, 61032 Fano (PU) Italy

2.

Internet address: http://www.suoloesalute.it

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

San Marino

SM-BIO-150

x

Senegal

SN-BIO-150

x

Serbia

RS-BIO-150

x

Ukraine

UA-BIO-150

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2015.’;

(26)

after the text relating to ‘Suolo e Salute srl’, the following text is inserted:

‘ “ TÜV Nord Integra

1.

Address: Statiestraat 164, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium

2.

Internet address: http://www.tuv-nord-integra.com

3.

Third countries, code numbers and product categories concerned:

Third country

Code number

Category of products

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Egypt

EG-BIO-160

x

x

Côte d’Ivoire

CI-BIO-160

x

x

Jordan

JO-BIO-160

x

x

Mali

ML-BIO-160

x

x

Curaçao

CW-BIO-160

x

x

Senegal

SN-BIO-160

x

x

4.

Exceptions: in-conversion products, wine

5.

Duration of inclusion in the list: until 30 June 2016.’.

(1)  This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

(2)  This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

(3)  This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.


14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/24


COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 126/2013

of 13 February 2013

amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC (1), and in particular Article 131 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 has taken over the restrictions previously laid down in Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (2). In entry 6, paragraph 1, of Annex XVII to that Regulation, the term ‘product’, used in the original restriction on asbestos in Directive 76/769/EEC, was replaced by ‘article’ which does not cover mixtures. In order for entry 6, paragraph 1, to cover the same items as that Directive, the term ‘mixtures’ should be added.

(2)

The derogations in entries 16 and 17 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 as regards the use of lead carbonates and lead sulphates in paints for the restoration and maintenance of works of art and historic buildings and their interiors should apply not only to the use but also to the placing on the market in order to allow those paints to be available for restoration and maintenance works as well.

(3)

The restriction in entries 28, 29 and 30 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 makes reference to a specific concentration limit laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (3) and to a concentration limit specified in Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations (4) that are applied in order to determine whether a substance or mixture is covered by that restriction. It should be clarified that the concentration limit specified in Directive 1999/45/EC applies only where a specific concentration limit is not set out in Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

(4)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 519/2012 of 19 June 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on persistent organic pollutants as regards Annex I (5) added short-chain chlorinated paraffins (hereinafter ‘SCCPs’) to Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on persistent organic pollutants and amending Directive 79/117/EEC (6). Production, placing on the market and use of SCCPs is therefore prohibited, subject to certain specific exemptions. Entry 42 in Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, which restricts two uses of SCCPs that are now banned under Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 has become superfluous and should therefore be deleted.

(5)

A harmonised testing method adopted by the European Committee for Standardization for determining the water soluble chromium VI content of cement in accordance with Directive 2003/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2003 amending for the 26th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement) (7) should be used. For the purpose of clarity, entry 47 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 should contain a reference to that testing method.

(6)

The substance methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) in entry 56 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, identified by CAS number 26447-40-5 and EC number 247-714-0, encompasses all isomeric mixtures and all specific isomers. However, certain specific isomers have specific CAS or EC numbers. In order to clarify that all isomers are covered, three specific CAS and EC numbers should be added.

(7)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 552/2009 of 22 June 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards Annex XVII (8) deleted notes E, H and S from the foreword to Appendices 1 to 6 to Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, as well as from the Appendices 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. For reasons of coherence, the notes E, H and S should be deleted also from Appendix 4.

(8)

The entry on diisopentylphthalate in Appendix 6 to Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 indicates incorrect EC and CAS numbers, which should be corrected.

(9)

New standards concerning the testing methods for azocolourants and azodyes have been adopted by the European Committee for Standardization. It is therefore necessary to update Appendix 10 to Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 to take account of those standards.

(10)

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(11)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the committee established by Article 133 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2013.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel BARROSO


(1)   OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(2)   OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 201.

(3)   OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1.

(4)   OJ L 200, 30.7.1999, p. 1.

(5)   OJ L 159, 20.6.2012, p. 1.

(6)   OJ L 158, 30.4.2004, p. 7.

(7)   OJ L 178, 17.7.2003, p. 24.

(8)   OJ L 164, 26.6.2009, p. 7.


ANNEX

Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 is amended as follows:

(1)

in entry 6, column 2, paragraph 1, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:

‘1.

The manufacture, placing on the market and use of these fibres and of articles and mixtures containing these fibres added intentionally is prohibited.’;

(2)

in entry 16, column 2, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘However, Member States may, in accordance with the provisions of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 13, permit the use on their territory of the substance or mixture for the restoration and maintenance of works of art and historic buildings and their interiors, as well as the placing on the market for such use. Where a Member State makes use of this derogation, it shall inform the Commission thereof.’;

(3)

in entry 17, column 2, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘However, Member States may, in accordance with the provisions of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 13, permit the use on their territory of the substance or mixture for the restoration and maintenance of works of art and historic buildings and their interiors, as well as the placing on the market for such use. Where a Member State makes use of this derogation, it shall inform the Commission thereof.’;

(4)

in entries 28, 29 and 30, column 2, paragraph 1, the fifth indent of the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:

‘—

the relevant concentration specified in Directive 1999/45/EC where no specific concentration limit is set out in Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.’;

(5)

in entry 40, column 1, the words ‘to that Regulation’ are replaced by ‘to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008’;

(6)

entry 42 is deleted;

(7)

in entry 47, column 2, the following paragraph 4 is added:

‘4.

The standard adopted by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) for testing the water-soluble chromium (VI) content of cement and cement-containing mixtures shall be used as the test method for demonstrating conformity with paragraph 1.’;

(8)

in entry 56, column 1 is replaced by the following:

’56.

Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)

CAS No 26447-40-5

EC No 247-714-0

including the following specific isomers:

(a)

4,4’-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate:

CAS No 101-68-8

EC No 202-966-0;

(b)

2,4’-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate:

CAS No 5873-54-1

EC No 227-534-9;

(c)

2,2’-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate:

CAS No 2536-05-2

EC No 219-799-4’;

(9)

in Appendix 4, in the column headed ‘Notes’, references to notes E, H and S are deleted;

(10)

in Appendix 6, the row for the entry concerning 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dipentylester, branched and linear n-pentyl-isopentylphthalate, di-n-pentyl phthalate, diisopentylphthalate is replaced by the following:

Substances

Index No

EC No

CAS No

Notes

‘1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dipentylester, branched and linear [1]

607-426-00-1

284-032-2 [1]

84777-06-0 [1]

 

n-pentyl-isopentylphthalate [2]

 

[2]

[2]

 

di-n-pentyl phthalate [3]

 

205-017-9 [3]

131-18-0 [3]

 

Diisopentylphthalate [4]

 

210-088-4 [4]

605-50-5 [4]’

 

(11)

Appendix 10 is replaced by the following:

‘Appendix 10

Entry 43 — Azocolourants — List of testing methods

List of testing methods

European standardisation organisation

Reference and title of the harmonised standard

Reference of the superseded standard

CEN

EN ISO 17234-1:2010

Leather — Chemical tests for the determination of certain azo colorants in dyed leathers — Part 1: Determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants

CEN ISO/TS 17234:2003

CEN

EN ISO 17234-2:2011

Leather — Chemical tests for the determination of certain azo colorants in dyed leathers — Part 2: Determination of 4-aminoazobenzene

CEN ISO/TS 17234:2003

CEN

EN 14362-1:2012

Textiles — Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants — Part 1: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants accessible with and without extracting the fibres

EN 14362-1:2003

EN 14362-2:2003

CEN

EN 14362-3:2012

Textiles — Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants — Part 3: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants, which may release 4-aminoazobenzene’

 


14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/28


COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 127/2013

of 13 February 2013

amending Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (1), and in particular Article 1(1) and the third subparagraph of Article 31(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 establishes a list of eligible countries based on the list of aid recipients of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/DAC), which is to be amended by the Commission pursuant to regular OECD/DAC reviews of its list of aid recipients.

(2)

For the purpose of defining persons eligible to participate in the award of procurement or grant contracts, Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 establishes the list of aid recipients of the OECD/DAC, which is to be published and updated pursuant to the same reviews.

(3)

Further to a revision of the list of aid recipients of the OECD/DAC, the Commission should amend Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 and inform the Council and the European Parliament thereof. The Commission should also update and publish Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 and inform the Council and the European Parliament thereof.

(4)

It is therefore appropriate to delete Oman from the list of countries eligible under Article 1(1) set out in Annex I, and update Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 accordingly.

(5)

The European Parliament and the Council will be informed accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 is amended as follows:

1.

Annex I is replaced by Annex I to this Regulation.

2.

Annex II is replaced by Annex II to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2013.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel BARROSO


(1)   OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41.


ANNEX I

COUNTRIES ELIGIBLE UNDER ARTICLE 1(1)

Latin America

1.

Argentina

2.

Bolivia

3.

Brazil

4.

Chile

5.

Colombia

6.

Costa Rica

7.

Cuba

8.

Ecuador

9.

El Salvador

10.

Guatemala

11.

Honduras

12.

Mexico

13.

Nicaragua

14.

Panama

15.

Paraguay

16.

Peru

17.

Uruguay

18.

Venezuela

Asia

19.

Afghanistan

20.

Bangladesh

21.

Bhutan

22.

Cambodia

23.

China

24.

India

25.

Indonesia

26.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

27.

Laos

28.

Malaysia

29.

Maldives

30.

Mongolia

31.

Myanmar

32.

Nepal

33.

Pakistan

34.

Philippines

35.

Sri Lanka

36.

Thailand

37.

Vietnam

Central Asia

38.

Kazakhstan

39.

Kyrgyz Republic

40.

Tajikistan

41.

Turkmenistan

42.

Uzbekistan

Middle East

43.

Iran

44.

Iraq

45.

Yemen

Southern Africa

46.

South Africa

ANNEX II

OECD/DAC LIST OF ODA RECIPIENTS

Effective for reporting on 2011, 2012 and 2013 flows

Least Developed Countries

Other Low Income Countries

(per capita GNI < USD 1 005 in 2010)

Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories

(per capita GNI USD 1 006 - USD 3 975 in 2010)

Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories

(per capita GNI USD 3 976 - USD 12 275 in 2007)

Afghanistan

Kenya

Armenia

Albania

Angola

Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of

Belize

Algeria

Bangladesh

Kyrgyz Rep.

Bolivia

 (*1) Anguilla

Benin

South Sudan

Cameroon

Antigua and Barbuda

Bhutan

Tajikistan

Cape Verde

Argentina

Burkina Faso

Zimbabwe

Congo, Rep.

Azerbaijan

Burundi

 

Côte d’Ivoire

Belarus

Cambodia

 

Egypt

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Central African Rep.

 

El Salvador

Botswana

Chad

 

Fiji

Brazil

Comoros

 

Georgia

Chile

Congo, Dem. Rep.

 

Ghana

China

Djibouti

 

Guatemala

Colombia

Equatorial Guinea

 

Guyana

Cook Islands

Eritrea

 

Honduras

Costa Rica

Ethiopia

 

India

Cuba

Gambia

 

Indonesia

Dominica

Guinea

 

Iraq

Dominican Republic

Guinea-Bissau

 

Kosovo (1)

Ecuador

Haiti

 

Marshall Islands

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Kiribati

 

Micronesia, Federated States

Gabon

Laos

 

Moldova

Grenada

Lesotho

 

Mongolia

Iran

Liberia

 

Morocco

Jamaica

Madagascar

 

Nicaragua

Jordan

Malawi

 

Nigeria

Kazakhstan

Mali

 

Pakistan

Lebanon

Mauritania

 

Papua New Guinea

Libya

Mozambique

 

Paraguay

Malaysia

Myanmar

 

Philippines

Maldives

Nepal

 

Sri Lanka

Mauritius

Niger

 

Swaziland

Mexico

Rwanda

 

Syria

Montenegro

Samoa

 

 (*1) Tokelau

 (*1) Montserrat

São Tomé and Príncipe

 

Tonga

Namibia

Senegal

 

Turkmenistan

Nauru

Sierra Leone

 

Ukraine

Niue

Solomon Islands

 

Uzbekistan

Palau

Somalia

 

Vietnam

Panama

Sudan

 

West Bank and Gaza Strip

Peru

Tanzania

 

 

Serbia

Timor-Leste

 

 

Seychelles

Togo

 

 

South Africa

Tuvalu

 

 

 (*1) St. Helena

Uganda

 

 

St. Kitts-Nevis

Vanuatu

 

 

St. Lucia

Yemen

 

 

St. Vincent and Grenadines

Zambia

 

 

Suriname

 

 

 

Thailand

 

 

 

Tunisia

 

 

 

Turkey

 

 

 

Uruguay

 

 

 

Venezuela

 

 

 

 (*1) Wallis and Futuna


(*1)  Territory.

(1)  This is without prejudice to the status of Kosovo under international law.


14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/33


COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 128/2013

of 13 February 2013

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) (1),

Having regard to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 of 7 June 2011 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 in respect of the fruit and vegetables and processed fruit and vegetables sectors (2), and in particular Article 136(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in Annex XVI, Part A thereto.

(2)

The standard import value is calculated each working day, in accordance with Article 136(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011, taking into account variable daily data. Therefore this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 136 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 are fixed in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2013.

For the Commission, On behalf of the President,

José Manuel SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development


(1)   OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1.

(2)   OJ L 157, 15.6.2011, p. 1.


ANNEX

Standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

(EUR/100 kg)

CN code

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

0702 00 00

IL

90,4

MA

51,5

TN

63,2

TR

106,5

ZZ

77,9

0707 00 05

EG

191,6

MA

176,1

TR

166,5

ZZ

178,1

0709 91 00

EG

91,5

ZZ

91,5

0709 93 10

MA

51,9

TR

116,4

ZZ

84,2

0805 10 20

EG

48,7

MA

54,7

TN

46,9

TR

64,0

ZZ

53,6

0805 20 10

MA

97,8

ZZ

97,8

0805 20 30 , 0805 20 50 , 0805 20 70 , 0805 20 90

IL

131,7

KR

135,8

MA

129,1

TR

75,8

ZZ

118,1

0805 50 10

EG

83,9

MA

60,5

TR

67,4

ZZ

70,6

0808 10 80

CN

99,8

MK

36,4

US

206,8

ZZ

114,3

0808 30 90

AR

138,7

CL

218,0

CN

72,1

TR

176,8

US

140,7

ZA

109,5

ZZ

142,6


(1)  Nomenclature of countries laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1833/2006 (OJ L 354, 14.12.2006, p. 19). Code ‘ ZZ ’ stands for ‘of other origin’.


DECISIONS

14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/35


COUNCIL DECISION

of 12 February 2013

appointing a German member of the Committee of the Regions

(2013/79/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the German Government,

Whereas:

(1)

On 22 December 2009 and on 18 January 2010, the Council adopted Decisions 2009/1014/EU (1) and 2010/29/EU (2) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2010 to 25 January 2015.

(2)

A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Ms Eva QUANTE-BRANDT,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The following is hereby appointed as member to the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015:

Ms Ulrike HILLER, Staatsrätin, Mitglied des Senats der Freien Hansestadt Bremen.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 12 February 2013.

For the Council

The President

M. NOONAN


(1)   OJ L 348, 29.12.2009, p. 22.

(2)   OJ L 12, 19.1.2010, p. 11.


14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/36


COMMISSION DECISION

of 13 February 2013

terminating the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of welded tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of square or rectangular cross-section, of iron other than cast iron or steel other than stainless originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine

(2013/80/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 November 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (1) (‘the basic Regulation’), and in particular Article 9 thereof,

After consulting the Advisory Committee,

Whereas:

A.   PROCEDURE

(1)

On 16 February 2012 the European Commission (‘the Commission’) received a complaint concerning the alleged injurious dumping concerning imports of welded tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of square or rectangular cross-section, of iron other than cast iron or steel other than stainless (‘hollow sections’) originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine (‘the countries concerned’).

(2)

The complaint was lodged on behalf of Union producers (‘the complainants’), representing more than 25 % of the total Union production of hollow sections. The complaint contained prima facie evidence of the existence of dumping and of material injury resulting from the dumped imports, which was considered sufficient to justify the initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding.

(3)

The Commission, after consultation of the Advisory Committee, in a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2), initiated an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of hollow sections originating in the countries concerned.

(4)

The Commission sent questionnaires to the Union industry, to the exporting producers in the countries concerned, to the importers and to the authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine. Interested parties were given the opportunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing within the time limit set out in the notice of initiation.

(5)

All interested parties who so requested and showed that there were particular reasons why they should be heard were granted a hearing.

B.   WITHDRAWAL OF THE COMPLAINT AND TERMINATION OF THE PROCEEDING

(6)

By letter of 23 November 2012 to the Commission, the complainants formally withdrew their complaint.

(7)

In accordance with Article 9(1) of the basic Regulation, the proceeding may be terminated where the complaint is withdrawn, unless such termination would not be in the Union interest.

(8)

The Commission considered that the present proceeding should be terminated since the investigation had not brought to light any reasons or considerations showing that such termination would not be in the Union interest.

(9)

Interested parties were informed accordingly and were given the opportunity to comment. No comments were received indicating that such a termination would not be in the Union interest.

(10)

The Commission therefore concludes that the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports into the Union of hollow sections originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine should be terminated without the imposition of measures,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of welded tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of square or rectangular cross-section, of iron other than cast iron or steel other than stainless currently falling within CN codes 7306 61 92 and 7306 61 99 , originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine, is hereby terminated.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2013.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel BARROSO


(1)   OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 51.

(2)   OJ C 96, 31.3.2012, p. 13.


14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/38


COMMISSION DECISION

of 13 February 2013

terminating the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of white phosphorus, also called elemental or yellow phosphorus, originating in the Republic of Kazakhstan

(2013/81/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 November 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (1) (‘the basic Regulation’), and in particular Article 7 thereof,

After consulting the Advisory Committee,

Whereas:

A.   PROCEDURE

1.   INITIATION

(1)

On 17 December 2011, the European Commission (‘the Commission’) announced, by a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2) (‘notice of initiation’), the initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding with regard to imports into the Union of white phosphorus, also called elemental or yellow phosphorus, originating in the Republic of Kazakhstan (‘Kazakhstan’ or ‘the country concerned’).

(2)

The proceeding was initiated as a result of a complaint lodged on 7 November 2011 by Thermphos International BV (‘the complainant’) the only producer of white phosphorus in the Union representing therefore the total Union production. The complaint contained prima facie evidence of dumping of the said product and of material injury resulting therefrom, which was considered sufficient to justify the initiation of a proceeding.

2.   PARTIES CONCERNED BY THE PROCEEDING

(3)

The Commission officially advised the complainant, the sole known exporting producer in the country concerned, the producer in the analogue country, importers, traders, users known to be concerned, and the representatives of Kazakhstan of the initiation of the proceeding. Interested parties were given the opportunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing within the time limit set in the notice of initiation.

(4)

All interested parties who so requested and showed that there were particular reasons why they should be heard were granted a hearing. All oral and written comments submitted by the interested parties were considered and taken into account where appropriate.

(5)

In order to allow the exporting producer in Kazakhstan known to be concerned to sumbit a claim for market economy treatment (‘MET’) or to request individual treatment (‘IT’), the Commission sent a claim form to this exporting producer. In addition, the Commission sent a claim form to the authorities of Kazakhstan. The sole known exporting producer in Kazakhstan made itself known and requested MET.

(6)

The Commission sent a questionnaire to the known exporting producer in the country concerned and the complainant which provided the Commission with responses.

(7)

In view of the apparent large number of unrelated importers which were potentially concerned by this investigation, sampling was envisaged in the notice of initiation in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation. In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling would be necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all unrelated importers were asked to make themselves known to the Commission and to provide information specified in the notice of initiation. Only seven companies provided the information specified in the notice of initiation. They indicated that they were importers/users of the product concerned. Given the low number of importers which made themselves known, it was considered that sampling would not be necessary. Subsequently, the Commission sent to these parties both a questionnaire for importers and a questionnaire for users. In addition, over 30 companies made themselves known as users to which the Commission sent a users’ questionnaire. As a result, five companies filled in both questionnaires, one company the importers’ questionnaire and seven companies the users’ questionnaire. It should be noted that one user subsequently decided to withdraw its cooperation.

(8)

The Commission sought and verified all the information deemed necessary for a provisional determination of dumping, resulting injury and Union interest and carried out verifications at the premises of the following companies:

(a)

Union producer

Thermphos International BV, Vlissingen, The Netherlands

(b)

Exporting producer in the country concerned

Kazhposphate LLC, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan

(c)

Importer

Ciech SA,Warsaw, Poland

(d)

User

Zaklady Chemiczne Alwernia SA, Alwernia, Poland

(e)

Importers/Users

Fosfa akciová společnost, Breclav, Czech Republic

ICL-IP Bitterfeld GmbH, Bitterfeld, Germany

Italmatch Chemicals Spa, Genoa, Italy

3.   INVESTIGATION PERIOD

(9)

The investigation of dumping and injury covered the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 (‘investigation period’ or ‘IP’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of injury covered the period from 1 January 2008 to the end of the IP (‘period considered’).

4.   NON-IMPOSITION OF PROVISIONAL MEASURES

(10)

It was considered that the imposition of provisional measures would not be appropriate, in particular in view of the need of a further analysis of certain aspects of causation and Union interest.

(11)

All interested parties received an information document containing the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was decided not to impose provisional measures (‘information document’). Several interested parties made written submissions making known their views on the findings spelled out in the information document. The parties who so requested were granted the opportunity to be heard.

5.   RIGHTS OF PARTIES AND CONFIDENTIALITY

(12)

As the Union industry is constituted of only one producer, sensitive data had to be indexed or given in a range for reasons of confidentiality. Furthermore, and for the same reasons, as there is only one exporting producer and limited number of importers in the Union market, all figures related to consumption, import volume from the country concerned and other countries as well as import prices had to be indexed. Similarly, as far as the users are concerned, in most cases actual data could not be provided because of their limited number.

B.   PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT

1.   PRODUCT CONCERNED

(13)

The product concerned is white phosphorus, also called elemental or yellow phosphorus, originating in Kazakhstan, currently falling within CN code ex 2804 70 00 (‘white phosphorus’ or ‘the product concerned’).

(14)

White phosphorus is a chemical element derived from phosphate rock and has a wide variety of applications. White phosphorus is used as a starting product for non-acid applications mainly for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, for the manufacture of phosphoric acid and its derivatives that are used for food and detergents, and for the manufacture of phosphor alloys that can be used in metallurgy. The investigation revealed that there is only one type of the product concerned.

2.   LIKE PRODUCT

(15)

The investigation showed that white phosphorus produced and sold in the Union by the Union industry and the white phosphorus produced in the country concerned and exported to the Union had the same basic physical, chemical and technical characteristics and uses. Therefore, these products are provisionally considered to be alike within the meaning of Article 1(4) of the basic Regulation. In the light of the determination concerning market economy treatment as outlined below in recitals 14 to 17 and the fact that data of the analogue market producer was not used, no determination was made with respect of the like product produced and sold in the analogue market.

C.   DUMPING

1.   MARKET ECONOMY TREATMENT (MET)

(16)

Pursuant to Article 2(7)(b) of the basic Regulation, in anti-dumping investigations concerning imports orginating in Kazakhstan, normal value shall be determined in accordance with paragraphs (1) to (6) of the said Article for the exporting producer that was found to meet the criteria laid down in Article 2(7)(c) of the basic Regulation. Briefly, and for ease of reference only, these criteria are set out in summarised form below:

Criterion 1

Business decisions are made in response to market signals, without significant State interference, and costs reflect market values;

Criterion 2

Firms have one clear set of independently audited accounting records;

Criterion 3

No distortions are carried over from the non-market economy system;

Criterion 4

Bankruptcy and property laws guarantee stability and legal certainty;

Criterion 5

Exchange rate conversions are carried out at market rates.

(17)

The sole known exporting producer in Kazakhstan (‘the exporting producer’) requested MET and submitted a claim form. The information provided was verified by the Commission at the premises of the company in question.

(18)

Taking into consideration the verified evidence, it was concluded that the company met all requirements laid down in Article 2(7)(c) of the basic Regulation and could be granted MET.

(19)

The Commission disclosed the result of the MET findings to the exporting producer, the authorities of Kazakhstan and to the complainant and gave them the opporunity to provide comments.

(20)

The complainant alleged that there were links between the exporting producer and the Kazakh State and that the company failed to provide evidence of its ultimate shareholding. The investigation revealed, however, that the company was a ‘Limited Liability Partnership’ in accordance with the law of Kazakhstan and that its direct shareholders were two private companies. It was verified that the State did not hold any shares in the company, directly or indirectly. The investigation therefore confirmed that the company was fully privately owned. The claims of the complainant in this regard were therefore rejected.

(21)

It was also argued that the company had a joint venture with a State-owned/funded company which would provide for privileged access to State financing. Although the investigation confirmed the existence of a joint venture, it did not have any activity during the IP and covered sulphuric acid only, which is a distinct business sector from white phosphorus. The claims in this regard were therefore rejected.

(22)

The composition and functioning of the Executive and Supervisory Boards, the main decision-making organs within the company, were examined. As a results, the investigation did not reveal any State interference.

(23)

The complainant further claimed that the company’s production costs were distorted and did not reflect normal market economy conditions, especially in relation to the costs of the mining of phosphate rocks, one of the major raw materials. The investigation revealed that the company sourced phosphate rock from affiliated mines in Kazakhstan benefitting from exclusive exploitation rights. These rights have been purchased, evaluated at fair value and correctly accounted for. The company furthermore paid corporate income tax, mineral extraction tax as well as other associated costs at the same level as any other mineral developer in Kazakhstan. The financial commitment linked to these obligations were part of the company’s total operating costs. On this basis, it was concluded that there was no significant State interference and that the costs linked to phosphate rocks were not distorted. The claims made by the complainant in this regard were therefore rejected.

(24)

The electricity, which represents a significant proportion of the total cost of manufacturing, is provided by unrelated suppliers. The investigation showed that the average electricity price was lower than the average price for other industrial users in Kazakhstan. However, the company is one of the biggest energy consumers in the country and such practice was not found to be against market economy principles. The complainant alleged that the company benefited from preferential transport cost for electricity when using the State owned transportation grids. This allegation was however not confirmed during the investigation. It was therefore concluded that there was no significant State interference with regard to electricity costs and the claims made by the complainant in this regard were rejected.

(25)

Other major raw materials are coke, phosphate fine coals, quartzite, electrodes, cake and silicate ore, which were all purchased from unrelated suppliers on the international market, mainly China and Russia, or locally sourced. The investigation did not reveal any State interference with regard to the purchase or pricing of these materials.

(26)

The complainant further alleged that although the relevant legal framework existed in Kazakhstan, labour and social rights for employees in Kazakhstan are in practice suppressed by the State which had an impact on the company’s wages and labour cost. The investigation had shown that labour is hired and laid off freely by the company’s management and subject to the legal minimum wage. It was found that all relevant Kazakh legislation was respected and that the company had individual labour contracts with each one of the employees. The investigation did therefore not reveal any State interference and the claims made by the complainant in this regard were rejected.

(27)

Finally, the complainant argued that, since there were no domestic sales of white phosphorus in Kazakhstan, sales restrictions on the domestic market were very likely. However, the company’s business licence did not show any sales restriction, neither on the domestic nor on the export market. The lack of domestic sales was due to the fact that there is neither demand nor processing capacity in Kazakhstan for white phosphorus. The allegations of the complainant in this regard were therefore rejected.

(28)

The company had one set of basic accounting records yearly audited by independent audit firms in line with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and applied for all purposes.

(29)

The company’s financial accounts revealed that it granted free loans, which were however fully repaid during the IP. Interest free loans between related or even unrelated companies as such are not against international accounting standards, but allowed under certain conditions such as the respect of the reporting requirement and their disclosure in the financial accounts. The investigation did not reveal any irregularities in this respect and all accounting requirements were fulfilled.

(30)

The company was found to be subject to the relevant bankruptcy and property laws, the application of which is designed to guarantee legal certainty and stability for the operation of firms. There were no indications that these laws would not be applicable and implemented for the company.

(31)

The investigation has not revealed any restrictions concerning the use and conversion of foreign currency. The company’s foreign exchange transactions were conducted according to market rates and it was able to freely dispose of the usage of its own funds.

2.   NORMAL VALUE

(32)

As a result of the findings laid out above in recital 14 with regard to the company’s claim for MET, normal value was established on the basis of Article 2(1) to (6) of the basic Regulation.

(33)

The company did not sell white phosphorus on the domestic market during the IP, nor were there other sellers or producers of white phosphorus in Kazakhstan. Normal value could therefore not be determined on the basis of the domestic sales prices in accordance with Article 2(1) of the basic Regulation. Consequently, normal value was constructed in accordance with Article 2(3) of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the costs of manufacturing of the product concerned by adding a reasonable amount for selling, general and administrative (‘SG&A’) costs and for profit.

(34)

The investigation revealed that the reported cost of manufacturing did not contain any depreciation costs of mining rights which had therefore to be added. In this regard the amount of the yearly depreciation of the mining rights related to the product concerned, evaluated on the basis of ‘fair value’ was considererd as appropriate.

(35)

Following disclosure of the information document, the exporting producer claimed that in accordance with Article 2(5) of the basic Regulation costs should have been established on the basis of the records kept by the party under investigation. Since depreciation costs of the mining rights were only reflected in the accounts of the exporting producer’s mother company, located outside Kazakhstan, and since the latter company would not be covered by the investigation, the determination of costs of the exporting producer should not have been based on information recorded in the accounts of this company.

(36)

It is recalled that since the phosphate rock mine is located in Kazakhstan and that the exporting producer was mining phosphate rock for the purpose of the production of white phosphorus, the costs recorded in the accounts of the exporting producer should indeed have included the depreciation cost of the mining rights. Therefore, in accordance with Article 2(5) of the basic Regulation, the records of the exporting producer did not reasonably reflect the costs associated with the production and sale of the product under investigation. It was therefore warranted to correct the reported costs accordingly.

(37)

The accounts of the mother company were consolidated accounts for the whole group, i.e. they also contained data of the activities of the exporting producer in Kazakhstan. The mining rights recorded related to the overall mining activities, including the one of exporting producer in relation to the production of white phosphorus. It was therefore considered justified to correct the reported cost of manufacturing on this basis.

(38)

The exporting producer further argued that the depreciation cost recorded represented the total depreciation cost of all mining rights of the company group relating to the production of various products including white phosphorus. The amount for depreciation costs added to the reported manufacturing costs of white phosphorus should, however, only relate to the deprectiation cost directly linked to the production of white phosphorus. This claim was accepted and the manufacturing cost corrected accordingly, by allocating the total depreciation costs to the activity related to the production of white phosphorus only.

(39)

The determination of SG&A and profit was based on the actual amounts incurred for production and sales on the domestic market of the same general category of products in accordance with Article 2(6)(b) of the basic Regulation since no other producers of white phosphorus were present on the Kazakh domestic market. In this regard, mainly chemical products such as fertilisers and other derivatives from white phosphorus were taken into consideration.

(40)

Following the disclosure of the information document, the exporting producer claimed that the amounts taken into consideration for the determination of profits relating to ‘other products’ are not adequate. In particular, it was claimed that the production process of some of these products and the commercial terms when selling them were significantly different from those of white phosphorus and higher profit margins were therefore generated when selling these products. It was claimed that as far as the determination of the profit margin for the purpose of constructing normal value is concerned, the amounts for profits should be determined on the basis of Article 2(6)(c) of the basic Regulation, i.e. by any other reasonable method. In this regard, it was argued that the profit of white phosphorus realised on export sales to the Union or other third countries should be taken into account, or alternatively an average of these profit margins. Finally, it was argued that should none of the above be acceptable, the average profit margin of the mother company relating to the production and sales of all products during the IP should be taken into consideration.

(41)

The information concerning different production processes for producing ‘other products’ as well as different commercial terms when selling them were provided at a very late stage of the investigation and was not accompanied by any supporting evidence. It was also not shown whether and to what extent these alleged differences had an impact on sales prices and consequently on the profit margins. Finally, the exporting producer did not show that any of the above suggested methodologies under the application of Article 2(6)(c) of the basic Regulation would indeed lead to more accurate results than the methodology based on Article 2(6)(b) of the basic Regulation. In particular, it was not explained in how far export sales would have comparable sales conditions to sales on the domestic market and would therefore consitute an appropriate proxi for sales on the domestic market. These claims had therefore to be rejected.

3.   EXPORT PRICE

(42)

All export sales to the Union were made directly to independent customers in the Union, and therefore the export price was based on the prices actually paid or payable for the product concerned in the IP in accordance with Article 2(8) of the basic Regulation.

(43)

Following the disclosure of the information document, the exporting producer argued that the export price used was incorrect. It is noted that the determination of the export price was based on the verified information submitted by the exporting producer during the investigation and that there was therefore no basis to correct these figures. This claim had therefore to be rejected.

4.   COMPARISON

(44)

The constructed normal value and export price were compared on an ex-works basis.

(45)

For the purpose of ensuring a fair comparison between the ex-works normal value and the export price, due allowance in the form of adjustment was made for differences affecting prices and price comparability in accordance with Article 2(10) of the basic Regulation. Adjustments were made in respect of freight in the country concerned and in the Union, handling and ancillary costs, and credit costs in all cases where they were found to be reasonable, accurate and supported by verified evidence.

5.   DUMPING MARGINS

(46)

Pursuant to Article 2(11) of the basic Regulation, the dumping margin for the exporting producer in Kazakhstan was established on the basis of a comparison of the weighted average normal value with a weighted average export price.

(47)

Considering that the level of cooperation was maximal as the only cooperating exporter producer represented 100 % of the export sales of the product concerned, the countrywide duty was set at the same level as the one for the cooperating exporter producer.

(48)

On the basis of the above methodology, the dumping margin, expressed as a percentage of the CIF Union frontier price, duty unpaid, are the following:

Company

Dumping margin

Kazphosphate LLC

10,5  %

All other companies

10,5  %

D.   INJURY

1.   UNION PRODUCTION AND UNION INDUSTRY

(49)

The complaint was lodged by Thermphos International BV (‘the complainant’), the only producer of white phosphorus in the Union, representing the total Union production.

(50)

The complainant therefore constitutes the Union industry within the meaning of Article 4(1) and Article 5(4) of the basic Regulation and will hereinafter be referred to as the ‘Union industry’.

(51)

Subsequent to the disclosure of the information document, Thermphos International BV had to file bankruptcy and later the Breda District Court ordered liquidation of the company on 21 November 2012. As a consequence, the Union industry stopped its production of white phosphorus. In a press release issued by the Union industry, the latter indicated, however, that the remaining stocks of white phosphorus are sufficient to continue supplying their subsidiaries, manufacturing downstream products, for some months. Meanwhile, the Union industry has been implementing a supervised deactivation of their production plants of white phosphorus. In parallel negotiations are ongoing for a potential takeover with the perspective of possibly restarting the production of white phosphorus in the short term.

(52)

Several interested parties claimed that given the above development the investigation should be terminated forthwith on the grounds that the Union industry has ceased to exist. In reply to these claims, it is noted that the Union industry was producing white phosphorus during the entire IP and that, as long as the bankruptcy proceedings and the negotiations for a possible takeover were still ongoing, it is unclear whether the production of white phosphorus will indeed cease on a permanent basis or whether the production stop is only of a temporary character. Therefore, it is premature to conclude that the Union industry has ceased to exist. Consequently, the claims to terminate the proceeding on these grounds were rejected.

2.   DETERMINATION OF THE RELEVANT UNION MARKET

(53)

The Union industry is vertically integrated and a substantial part of its own production went to captive use. Indeed, it was found that the sole Union producer used a considerable part of the white phosphorus production as a raw material for the manufacture of various downstream products used mainly in pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and chemicals sectors. This captive use did not enter the free market and did not enter into direct competition with imports of the product concerned. By contrast, production destined for the free market sales was found to be in direct competition with the imports of the product concerned.

(54)

Therefore, for the purpose of establishing whether the Union industry had suffered material injury, it was considered appropriate to distinguish between sales of the Union industry to the free market and those to the captive market for the analysis of certain injury indicators, wherever possible.

(55)

As regards profitability and cash flow the analysis focused at the level of the free market since prices in the captive market were not reflecting market prices which had an impact on those indicators. As regard return on investment, as it was not possible to distinguish between the investments made in respect of the product sold on the free market and that sold on the captive market, return on investment was assessed at the level of the total market. Consumption, sales volume, sales prices and market shares in the Union market were also analysed and evaluated in relation to the situation prevailing on the free market where transactions were made under normal market conditions implying free choice of supplier. The evolution of these indicators in the captive market was however also taken into account and compared to data for the free market in order to determine whether the situation of the captive market was likely to change the findings based on the analysis of the free market alone.

(56)

However, it was found that the following economic indicators related to the Union industry should be examined by referring to the total activity (including the captive use of the Union industry): production, production capacity, capacity utilisation, growth, investments, stocks, employment, productivity, wages, ability to raise capital and magnitude of the dumping margin. This is because those indicators can be affected by the dumped imports regardless of whether the product is transferred downstream within the company or the company group for further processing or whether it is sold on the free market. Hereinafter the captive and the free market together are referred to as ‘total market’.

(57)

One interested party claimed that the analysis of the injury indicators should be based on the total market, as an analysis based on the free market only would not allow a reliable assessement of the situation, given the particular status of the Union industry, having shifted mainly to captive use and thus alledgedly not being perceived as a genuine supplier of white phosphorus in the free market.

(58)

As mentioned above in recital 55, only for profitability and cash flow the analysis focused on the free market. This was due to the fact that prices in the captive market did not reflect market prices which had an impact on those indicators. Moreover, the investigation focused primarily on the free market because sales on the captive market did not compete with products sold on the free market including the dumped imports. The interested party did not explain why an analysis including the captive market would none the less be more meaningful. For all other indicators, where appropriate, the analysis focused on the activities in the total market on the one hand and separately on the free and captive market, on the other hand. Therefore, the activities of the Union industry in all markets was sufficiently taken into consideration where appropriate and this claim was rejected.

(59)

Moreover, the same interested party claimed that the Commission when examining the evolution of the injury indicators compared the situation at the end-points of the period considered rather than considering the precise trends throughout the whole period considered. It is indeed the Commission’s practice to assess the injury indicators over the period considered and describe, where appropriate, possible fluctuations in the developments of injury indicators, if applicable. This has also be done in the present investigation. Therefore, this claim was rejected.

3.   UNION CONSUMPTION

(60)

The Union consumption in the total market was established by adding the total import volume of white phosphorus from all sources based on Eurostat and the verified data provided by the exporting producer as well as the cooperating importers/users to the total sales volume of the Union industry on the Union market, as well as the production of Union industry destined for captive use. The consumption in the free market was established by substracting the production of Union industry that was destined for captive use.

(61)

Some interested parties claimed that the CN code covered also imports of red phosphorus. The investigation showed, however, that no imports of red phosphorus were made from the country concerned over the period considered. In addition, limited evidence was forthcoming in relation to imports of red phosphorus from other third countries. This limited evidence, suggested that imports of red phosphorus, if any, were minimal.

(62)

The information document disclosed to the interested parties erroneously included imports of the Union industry from Kazakhstan in the captive use which was deducted accordingly in Table 1 below. This did not affected the trends in Union consumption in the free market.

(63)

On this basis, the Union consumption was found to have developed as follows:

Table 1

Consumption in the Union

Index 2008 = 100

2008

2009

2010

IP

Total market

100

74

96

103

Captive market

100

119

109

117

Free market

100

54

91

98

Source:

Eurostat and information obtained from interested parties through the questionnaire responses.

(64)

In the period considered consumption in the total Union market increased by 3 %, while it increased in the captive market by 17 %, with some fluctuations during the period considered, while consumption in the free market decreased by 2 % between 2008 and the IP.

4.   IMPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY CONCERNED

4.1.   Volume and market share

(65)

The evolution of imports from the country concerned, in volume and market share, was as follows:

Table 2

Imports from Kazakhstan

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Import volumes from Kazakhstan

100

57

108

132

Market share in free market

100

107

120

136

Source:

Eurostat and information obtained from interested parties through the questionnaire responses.

(66)

Over the period considered, imports to the Union from the country concerned increased by 32 %. This led to a market share increase in free market by 36 % during the same period. The market share of the cooperating exporting producer in the free market was very significant during the IP.

(67)

Several interested parties claimed that import volumes of the product concerned decreased considerably after the IP and that this development should be taken into account in the injury analysis. This allegation was unfounded as the information available has shown that imports after the IP remained in the same range as during the IP. Moreover, according to Article 6(1) of the basic Regulation, information relating to a period subsequent to the investigation period shall normally not be taken into account in the findings. As a result, this claim was rejected.

4.2.   Prices of imports and price undercutting

(68)

Average prices of the imports from the country concerned in the free market developed as follows:

Table 3

Price of imports from Kazakhstan

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Import prices

100

84

75

81

Source:

Eurostat and information obtained from exporting producer through the questionnaire responses.

(69)

While seeing a price increase in the IP as compared to 2010, the overall average imports price from the country concerned decreased by 19 % between 2008 and the IP.

(70)

For the purpose of analysing price undercutting, a comparison of the average prices of the Union industry charged on the free market and average import prices from the country concerned was made. The relevant sales prices of the Union industry were adjusted where necessary to an ex-works level, i.e. excluding freight costs in the Union and after deduction of discounts and rebates. The import prices of the cooperating exporting producer, net of discounts, were adjusted where necessary to CIF Union frontier price duly adjusted for customs clearance costs and post-importation costs.

(71)

The comparison showed that during the IP, imports of the product concerned from the exporting producer were sold in the Union at prices which undercut the Union industry’s prices. The average level of undercutting, when expressed as a percentage of the Union industry’s prices, was in the range of 30-40 %, based on the verified data submitted by the cooperating exporting producer. This level of undercutting was combined with a negative price development and a substantial price depression on the Union market.

5.   ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE UNION INDUSTRY

5.1.   General

(72)

Pursuant to Article 3(5) of the basic Regulation, the examination of the impact of dumped imports on the Union industry included an evaluation of all economic factors and indices relating to the state of the Union industry from 2008 to the end of the IP.

(73)

Several interested parties claimed that the year 2008 was inappropriate as a reference point since it was an exceptionally successful year for the Union industry. Following the information document, some interested parties claimed that 2007 should have been used as the starting point for the examination of injury trends relevant for the assessment of injury. It should be noted that 2008 was a profitable year for the entire phosphate sector and not only for the Union industry. Additionally, the year 2009 was also exceptional due to the economic crisis and in 2007 the exporting producer in Kazakhstan and the Union industry were related, i.e. these years would not have been necessarily more appropriate as a starting point for the injury analysis. In any event, exceptional circumstances during the period considered are factored in the relevant parts of the causation analysis, if appropriate. These claims were therefore rejected.

5.1.1.   Production, production capacity and capacity utilisation

(74)

The table below shows the evolution of production, production capacity and capacity utilisation of the Union industry in the total market:

Table 4

Production, production capacity and capacity utilisation

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Production

100

55

68

75

Production capacity

100

100

100

100

Capacity utilisation

100

55

68

75

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(75)

As shown in the table above, during the period considered, the Union production decreased by 25 %. While between 2008 and 2009, production decreased by 45 %, the situation improved after 2009 until the IP; however, production did not reach in the IP the levels of 2008. Given that the production capacity remained stable, the decrease in production led to significant decrease in capacity utilisation by 25 % between 2008 and the IP.

5.1.2.   Sales volumes and market share

(76)

The figures below present the sales volume and market share of the Union industry split between the total, captive and free market.

Table 5

Sales volumes and market share

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Sales volume total market

100

84

83

83

Market share of Union industry total market (%)

100

114

86

80

Sales volume captive market

100

119

109

117

Market share of Union industry captive market (%)

100

100

100

100

Sales volume free market

100

37

47

36

Market share of Union industry free market (%)

100

69

52

37

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(77)

Sales in the total market decreased by 17 % in the period considered. This drop was even steeper in the free market where it fell by 64 % between 2008 and the IP. The captive market followed the opposite trend and sales volume increased by 17 % in the same period. The drop in sales volume was reflected in market share that saw a 20 % decrease for the total market and 63 % decrease in the free market between 2008 and the IP. As the captive market is comprised of white phosphorus from the sole Union producer, the market share remained unchanged and in these circumstances is not a relevant indicator.

5.1.3.   Growth

(78)

During the period considered it emerged that Union consumption decreased only slightly in the free market by 2 % while sales and market share of the Union industry decreased significantly, respectively by 64 % and by 63 % during the same period. The captive market followed the opposite trend and sales volume increased by 17 % in the same period. At the same time, imports from the Republic of Kazakhstan increased by 32 % over the period considered. As a consequence, the market share of the Union industry decreased significantly over the same period.

5.1.4.   Employment, productivity and wages

(79)

The table below shows the evolution of employment, productivity and wages of the Union industry in the total market:

Table 6

Employment, productivity and wages

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Number of employees

100

101

98

93

Total Productivity (MT/employee)

100

55

69

81

Yearly wages

100

95

103

106

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(80)

Employment slightly decreased between 2008 and the IP, while wages slightly increased. During the period considered the total productivity per employee decreased by 19 %. This followed the decrease in production, as explained in recitals 74 and 75 above.

5.1.5.   Magnitude of the actual margin of dumping

(81)

The dumping margins as specified above in recital 48 were above the de minimis level. Furthermore, given the volumes and the prices of the dumped imports, the impact of the actual margins of dumping cannot be considered as negligible.

5.1.6.   Stocks

(82)

The figures below represent the evolution of the stocks of the Union industry in the total market during the period considered:

Table 7

Stocks

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Stocks

100

26

17

48

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(83)

Stocks represented around 12 % of the production volume in the IP. Stocks decreased by 52 % over the period considered. However, this indicator is not to be considered as relevant in this sector, as it is based mainly on orders and, accordingly, producers tend to hold limited stocks. The decrease in stocks in the IP should be seen in light of the lower level of activity following the downsizing of the Union industry.

5.1.7.   Sales prices

(84)

The following table represents the Union industry’s price evolution split between the captive and the free market.

Table 8

Sales prices

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Average unit selling price on captive market

100

90

67

78

Average unit selling price on free market

100

86

75

83

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(85)

Sales prices fell in both markets, even if the decrease was sharper in the captive market (– 22 %) than in the free market (– 17 %).

5.1.8.   Profitability, cash flow, ability to raise capital, investments and return on investment

Table 9

Profitability and cash flow

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Profitability on free market

100

85

73

75

Cash flow on free market

100

56

54

52

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(86)

Profitability for the like product on the free market was established by expressing the pre-tax net profit of the sales of the like product by the Union industry on the Union free market, as the percentage of the turnover of such sales.

(87)

The profitability on the free market decreased sharply and turned to losses over the period considered. Profitability was showing a decreasing trend between 2008 and the IP. Although slighlty increasing during the IP compared to 2010, profitability remained negative.

(88)

Cash flow also followed a progressively negative trend between 2008 and the IP, decreasing by 48 % during the period considered.

(89)

The ability to raise capital was analysed in relation to the total market and it has been found that there is a constant deterioration of the ability of the Union industry to generate cash and consequently, a weakening of the financial situation of the Union industry.

(90)

Following the disclosure of the information document, one interested party claimed that profitability, cash flow should be examined at the level of the total market and not only at the level of the free market, as an assessment of the injury at the level of the free market only would not be complete, given the Union industry’s specific situation where most of its sales are destined for captive use.

(91)

As mentioned above in recitals 55 and 58, it should be noted that as the prices in the captive market are merely transfer prices, an analysis at the level of the captive market would not have been meaningful for the purpose of the injury analysis, as it would not reflect prices of the free market where the competition with the imports from Kazakhstan took place. Moreover, the effect of the Union industry’s activities in the captive market has been factored in the relevant parts of the causality analysis, and more specifically in recitals from 135 to 136 below. Therefore this argument was rejected.

(92)

The figures below represent the evolution of investments of the Union industry in relation to the total market during the period considered:

Table 10

Investments and return on investment

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Investments

100

98

79

69

Return on investment on total market

100

20

19

15

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(93)

The table above demonstrates that the Union industry decreased its investments by 31 % in the like product. This was linked to the downsizing of the industry. The investments made were mainly linked to the need to comply with regulatory requirements as well as improving and maintaining production technology and process in order to improve efficiency.

(94)

The return on investments of white phosphorus also followed a negative trend between 2008 and the IP.

5.1.9.   Conclusion on injury

(95)

The analysis of the situation of the Union industry showed a clear downward trend of all the main injury indicators. Against a relatively stable consumption on the free market, overall production fell by 25 % in the period considered. During the same period, the Union industry lost 20 % of the overall market share and 63 % of the free market. Capacity utilisation decreased by 25 %.

(96)

Over the period considered, the overall Union industry’s sales volume decreased by 17 %. A stronger downward trend in sales volumes could be observed in the free market which saw a 64 % decrease over the period considered.

(97)

The decrease in sales volumes of Union industry was accompanied by a decrease in sales price by 17 %. The situation was similar in the captive market where prices decreased by 22 % during the period considered. The loss of sales volume along with the decrease in prices had an effect on profit levels and led to losses.

(98)

Several interested parties claimed that Union industry was performing well after its recovery from the economic downturn in 2009. In specific, it was claimed that the evolution of certain injury indicators, namely the Union domestic and export sales volume and prices, cost of goods and investments but also production and capacity utilisation would not show material injury. These allegations were not confirmed by the results of the present investigation which has shown clear downward trends maybe not in all but in the main injury indicators even after 2009.

(99)

Some parties claimed that there was a decreasing trend both in volume and market share of imports from the country concerned during the period considered and that the capacity of the Kazakh phosphorus industry was overestimated. Likewise, these allegations were not confirmed by the findings of the present investigation which showed a constant increase in volume and market share of imports from Kazakhstan. Likewise, production capacity of the exporting producer in Kazakhstan was determined on the basis of the verified data submitted by this company.

(100)

In view of the above, the investigation confirmed that should dumped imports continue to enter the Union market, the losses of the Union industry would be likely to lead to the permanent discontinuation of any sizeable Union production of white phosphorus. This seems to be confirmed by the developments after the IP, i.e the Union industry has filed for bankruptcy and is under liquidation process.

(101)

Due to the circumstances presented above, it was concluded that the Union industry suffered material injury within the meaning of Article 3(5) of the basic Regulation.

E.   CAUSATION

1.   INTRODUCTION

(102)

In accordance with Article 3(6) and (7) of the basic Regulation it was examined whether the material injury suffered by the Union industry was caused by the dumped imports from the country concerned. Furthermore, known factors other than dumped imports, which might have injured the Union industry, were examined to ensure that any injury caused by those factors was not attributed to dumped imports.

2.   EFFECT OF DUMPED IMPORTS

(103)

The investigation showed that dumped imports from Kazakhstan increased dramatically over the period considered, increasing their market share in the free market by 36 %. There was a clear coincidence in time between the increase of dumped imports and the loss of market share of the Union industry. The investigation also established that the dumped imports continuously undercut the prices of the Union industry. The prices of the dumped imports decreased by 19 % during the period considered and led to an increase of undercutting. Against this price pressure, the Union industry was not able to increase its prices. As a consequence, they were not able to cover the increase in costs as shown in below table. Moreover, the profitability of the Union industry’s sales in the Union market decreased dramatically.

Table 11

Cost of production (Union industry)

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Cost of production (euro/MT)

100

105

103

112

Source:

verified questionnaire reply.

(104)

Several interested parties claimed that imports from Kazakhstan merely followed the development in the consumption and did thus not influence the market situation of white phosphorus. However, neither the import figures nor the consumption figures determined during the investigation confirmed these claims, which on the contrary showed that, while consumption in the free market slightly decreased during the period considered, imports from Kazakhstan increased, i.e. followed an opposite trend during the same period. This increase in imports from Kazakhstan coincided with the deterioration of the Union industry. These claims were therefore rejected.

(105)

Based on the above, it is concluded that the increase of the dumped imports from Kazakhstan at prices constantly undercutting those of the Union industry have had a determining role in the material injury suffered by the Union industry.

3.   EFFECT OF OTHER FACTORS

3.1.   Imports from other third countries

(106)

The following table shows the developments of imports from other third countries.

Table 12

Imports and market shares from other third countries

(Index 2008 = 100)

2008

2009

2010

IP

Import Volume

People’s Republic of China

100

58

118

89

Average Unit price

People’s Republic of China

100

62

54

68

Import volume

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

100

671

363

470

Average Unit price Socialist Republic of Vietnam

100

92

73

74

Market share of imports from the People’s Republic of China in total market

100

96

150

102

Market share of imports from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in total market

100

1 120

459

540

Source:

Eurostat and information obtained from interested parties through the questionnaire responses.

(107)

The market of white phosphorus is highly concentrated, since there are only few producers in the world. Information gathered during the investigation has shown that the People’s Republic of China is the leading producer of white phosphorus. At the beginning of the period considered in 2008, the People’s Republic of China introduced an export duty rate of 100 % on white phosphorus in addition to the then existing export duty rate applicable of 20 %. As a result, imports from the People’s Republic of China dropped sharply and the import volumes remained low throughout the period considered, although the export duty rate decreased to 20 % in the IP.

(108)

Imports from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (‘Vietnam’) represented a relatively small import volume during the period considered.

(109)

It should be noted that the average unit import prices from the People’s Republic of China and Vietnam are in the same range as the average unit price of the Union industry.

(110)

Following the disclosure of the information document, one interested party claimed that the price pressure on the Union market was caused by imports of white phosphorus from People’s Republic of China. However, the available data do not confirm this allegation as import volumes from People’s Republic of China decreased between 2008 and the IP (with a peak in 2010) and import prices from the People’s Republic of China were at approximately the same levels than the Union industry’s sales prices throughout the whole period considered, or even higher. It can be further observed that the market share of imports of the People’s Republic of China remained relatively stable between 2008 and the IP (with a peak in 2010), unlike the Kazakh’s market share which increased constantly, by 36 % in total between 2008 and the IP. Therefore, this claim was rejected.

3.2.   Development of the Union industry’s cost of production

(111)

Following the disclosure of the information document, the same party claimed that the increase in the unit cost of production of the Union industry should be recognised as a separate cause of injury. It was argued that while the price of the main raw material decreased overall, unit costs increased. The investigation showed that the main reason for the increase of Union industry’s unit cost was in fact the loss of the economies of scale due to the decreased sales on the free market as a result of the dumped imports from Kazakhstan and the subsequent decrease of production volume. Therefore, the increase in unit costs cannot be considered as a separate cause of injury, but as a consequence of the dumped imports. Therefore, this claim was rejected.

3.3.   Preferential agreement with exporting producer

(112)

Some interested parties claimed that any injury suffered by the Union industry was caused by the end of the relationship between the Union industry and the cooperating exporting producer and the consequent loss of the preferential supply agreement, which meant that the Union industry had to face the competition of direct imports from the exporting producer. According to these parties, the preferential agreement compensated for the lack of direct access by the Union industry to the main raw material, phosphate rock.

(113)

Other parties argued that given the end of the preferential agreement, alleged past investments of the Union industry in the former related company contributed to the injury suffered, because the end of the preferential agreement did not allow the Union industry to benefit from these investments.

(114)

Indeed, the investigation showed that between 2003 and 2007 the Union industry and the cooperating exporting producer were owned by the same shareholder and after that a preferential sales agreement continued to exist between the two parties until 2008.

(115)

The parties concerned did no provide any supporting evidence showing the level of any alleged investments of the Union industry in the activities of the exporting producer in Kazakhstan. The investigation did, furthermore, not reveal any direct link between any possible past investments of the Union industry and the material injury suffered during the IP. Indeed, the information available did not show to what extent the alleged investments could have contributed to the current situation of the Union industry, if they contributed at all. Therefore, this claim was rejected as unfounded.

(116)

As to the loss of the common ownership, this cannot be considered as a factor which as such is causing injury. Indeed, the loss of the common ownership merely meant that the exporting producer in Kazakhstan could export the product concerned directly to independent customers in the European Union. It did not mean however that such exports should be made at injurious dumping prices. It is the latter that are causing injury to the Union industry.

3.4.   Access to the main raw material

(117)

Several interested parties claimed that the material injury suffered by the Union industry was linked to a lack of competitiveness in terms of costs, as it had no direct access to phosphate rock, one of the main raw materials to produce white phosphorus, while the cooperating exporting producer in Kazakhstan is located next to phosphate rock mines and enjoys exclusive exploitation rights. It has been argued that transport costs of phosphate rocks and costs for the disposal of sludge (waste in the white phosphorus production) are significant since there are no natural storages for sludge available.

(118)

While the investigation showed that the cost of phosphate rock is indeed significant, this factor alone could not explain the injurious situation of the Union industry. Indeed, even if the cost difference of phosphate rock between the Union industry and the cooperating exporting producer is taken into account in assessing the injury suffered by the Union industry, injury would still remain significant.

(119)

The investigation showed that while the transport cost for phosphate rock is significant for the Union industry, it is not so as to render the production in the Union of white phosphorus uncompetitive as such. Even taking into account the transport costs of phosphate rock in the cost of production of the Union industry, the injury margin would still remain substantial.

(120)

Regarding the claim of the lack of natural storage of sludge, the investigation confirms that no evidence was found that this generated a disadvantage to the Union industry, as it was able to recycle sludge by bringing it back into the production process of white phosphorus.

(121)

In summary, the investigation showed that even if the cost advantage of the cooperating exporting producer was to be taken into account, this would not explain the injurious situation of the Union industry and that therefore the cost difference in sourcing phosphate rock could only have had a partial impact on the injurious situation of the Union industry. This finding was supported by the fact that significantly better profitability figures were recorded for derivatives products manufactured by the Union industry that incorporate white phosphorus.

(122)

On these grounds, it was concluded that the access to the raw material and its impact on costs although contributing to some extent to the injurious situation of the Union industry was not such as to break the causal link established between the dumped imports from Kazakhstan and the material injury suffered by the Union industry.

3.5.   Production achievements of the Union industry and imports by the Union industry of the product concerned

(123)

Several interested parties claimed that according to the annual report of 2010 the Union industry faced severe technical problems in 2010 and in the first half of 2011 and that these problems had an adverse effect on its production levels which led it to import the product concerned from Kazakhstan. They also argued that any injury suffered was also the result of these imports and was therefore self-inflicted. The investigation showed that the technical problems that the Union industry faced in 2010 and in the first half of 2011 did not significantly affect its situation, as it led neither to a stop in production, nor to a situation where it could not meet demands of supply from clients in the free market for white phosphorus, from its own production. Furthermore, it was found that the Union industry imported from Kazakhstan and that those imports were complementary in nature and exceptional as well as limited in terms of volume when compared to the total Union production. Moreover, the investigation found no evidence that the Union industry sold any of the imports in the free market. Furthermore, it should be noted that the director’s report of 2010 was attached to the consolidated annual accounts of the Union industry for the whole activities of the company and did not only therefore relate to the white phosphorus production.

(124)

On these grounds, it was found that the impact of the technical difficulties faced by the Union industry during part of the period considered and the limited imports of the product concerned, did not have a significant impact, if any at all, on the situation of the Union industry with regard to white phoshorous destined for the free market and was not such as to break the causal link. The arguments raised by the interested parties in this regard were rejected.

3.6.   New production process of the Union industry

(125)

Some interested parties claimed that the Union industry invested significant amounts in new production technologies resulting in technical difficulties and environmental problems which caused the material injury suffered by the Union industry.

(126)

The investigation confirmed that the Union industry invested in the development of a new production process substituting phosphate rock by phosphate extracted from waste streams. However, as mentioned in recital 92, in Table 10 above, the investigation has also shown that the investments regarding white phosphorus decreased over the period considered. The investments in new technology could thus not have played a significant part in the deterioration of the situation of the Union industry. Furthermore, the investigation did not reveal any evidence that the new technologies resulted in technical difficulties and environmental problems, as claimed, and the interested parties concerned did not support their allegations with any factual data. The arguments of the parties in this respect were therefore rejected.

3.7.   Export performance of the Union industry

(127)

Some interested parties claimed that the Union industry’s export sales have dropped significantly during the period considered and that this has caused the material injury suffered by the Union industry.

(128)

The investigation showed that exports sales accounted for a small percentage of the total Union industry’s production and could only have had a very limited impact on the overall situation of the Union industry.

(129)

On these grounds, it was found that the impact of the Union industry’s export performance was not such as to break the causal link between the dumped imports and the material injury suffered by the Union industry. Therefore, the parties’ arguments in this respect had to be rejected.

3.8.   Impact of the financial and economic crisis

(130)

One interested party claimed that any injury caused to Union industry is due to the economic crisis and the contraction of demand in the Union.

(131)

The present investigation, as mentioned in recitals above, showed that the decrease of Union consumption on the free market was only 2 % during the period considered. Therefore, the impact of the economic crisis in terms of a decrease in consumption could not have been an important factor in the steep decrease in sales volume as shown in recitals 76 et seq. In terms of prices, the market saw a drop between 2008 and 2010, but the depression of sales prices suffered by the Union industry continued and even increased after 2009 in an attempt to follow the low prices of the dumped imports from Kazakhstan. The claim was therefore rejected.

(132)

On these grounds, it was found that the overall impact of the financial and economic crisis and contraction in demand was not such as to break the causal link established between the material injury suffered by the Union industry and the dumped imports.

3.9.   Customer choice of suppliers

(133)

It was claimed that the injury suffered by Union industry was caused by the customers’ choice to change supplier due to, inter alia, the alleged non-compliance with environmental and safety issues. No evidence was however provided and the investigation did not bring into light any factual circumstances confirming these allegations. To the contrary, the investigation showed that the market is mainly price driven and other considerations do not play any decisive role.

(134)

On these grounds, these claims were rejected.

3.10.   Impact of the sales in the captive market

(135)

Following the disclosure of the information document, one interested party claimed that since the Union industry has shifted its main focus to the captive market, its resources and cash are mainly destined to the activities in this market. It was therefore alleged that the losses suffered in the free market and the injury stemming therefrom were a consequence of this situation rather than the dumped imports.

(136)

The investigation did not support the above allegations as for example investments were declining in both markets and no evidence was found that a transfer of cash or other resources from the free to the captive market occurred during the period considered. This claim had therefore to be rejected.

3.11.   Compliance with environmental standards

(137)

It was claimed that the material injury was caused by the Union industry’s legal obligations to comply with the strict EU environmental standards. Moreover, following the disclosure of the information document, some parties claimed that the impact of the non-compliance with environmental requirements should also be investigated, i.e. the impact of allegedly significant fines that the Union industry was obliged to pay to the Dutch authorities during the period considered.

(138)

The investigation showed that Union industry made investments in order to comply with environmental standards and reduce the emissions of dioxin throughout the entire period considered. However, as showed in Table 10, the overall investments were decreasing over the period considered. Moreover, it was found that these investments were depreciated over a number of years and had as a result only minor impact on the yearly financial results. It should be noted that while in 2008 the investments were substantially higher than in the IP, the Union industry was profitable that year. The negative injury picture of the Union industry could therefore not be attributed to the investments made in compliance with environmental standards.

(139)

As far as the alleged fines for non-compliance with environmental requirements are concerned, the investigation revealed that although the Union industry was indeed fined in one specific case by the Dutch authorities, the amount of this fine was not significant as alleged by the parties concerned and the payment was due only after the IP, which therefore, could in any event not have had an impact on the injurious situation of the Union industry during the IP.

(140)

In the light of the above, the claims in this regard were rejected.

3.12.   Management decisions in 2009

(141)

Following the disclosure of the information document, it was claimed that the material injury suffered by the Union industry was caused by a management decision in 2009 to distribute dividends to shareholders which would have led to the alleged requirement by the banks to repay long term debts which in turn had a significant negative impact of the financial strength of the Union industry.

(142)

These allegations were based on information contained in the 2009 consolidated annual accounts of the Union industry’s holding company which do not relate to the phosphorus activities only. Furthermore, the conclusions drawn by the interested parties concerned were based on assumptions not necessarily reflecting an objective assessment of the situation in 2009. The investigation has not revealed that the management decisions taken in 2009 were unusual or imprudent as the same accounts show for example that the retained earnings of the company were high during the same period, despite the overall difficult market situation. It can therefore not be concluded that the decisions taken at that time had a significant negative impact on the financial strength of the company, as alleged by these parties, and furthermore an impact on the injurious situation of the Union industry in relation to its activities related to white phosphorus during the IP. On these grounds, these claims were rejected.

3.13.   Conclusion on causation

(143)

The investigation has revealed a causal link between the injury suffered by the Union industry and the dumped imports from Kazakhstan. Other possible causes of injury, such as imports from other countries, developments of the Union industry’s cost of production, production achievements, new production process, export performance of the Union industry, imports by the Union industry, impact of financial and economic crisis, customer choice of suppliers, impact of the sales in the captive market, compliance with environmental standards and management decisions were analysed and none of them was found to be such as to break the causal link established between the dumped imports from Kazakhstan and the material injury suffered by the Union industry. Nevetheless, the investigation has shown that although some of the other factors, i.e. the access to the main raw material, have contributed to some extent to the injurious situation of the Union industry, the imports from Kazakhstan still had a material impact on the injury suffered by the Union industry. As already mentioned above, they could therefore not break the causal link between these imports and the material injury suffered by the Union industry.

(144)

Several interested parties claimed that the fact the the Union industry filed bankruptcy even though only a limited amount of sales is in competition with the imports from Kazakhstan, confirms that those imports could not have been the cause of the material injury suffered by the Union industry. However, all possible other factors were analysed and as described above in recitals 106 to 142, none of these factors could break the causal link between the dumped imports and the injury suffered by the Union industry. It should also be noted that as the Union industry is vertically integrated and that therefore the price pressure from the dumped imports had also a detrimental effect in the Union industry’s derivatives market. Therefore, this claim was rejected.

(145)

Based on the above analysis, which has properly distinguished and separated the effects of all known factors on the situation of the Union industry from the injurious effects of the dumped imports, it was therefore definitively concluded that there was a causal link between the dumped imports from Kazakhstan and the material injury suffered by the Union industry during the IP.

F.   UNION INTEREST

1.   PRELIMINARY REMARK

(146)

In accordance with Article 21 of the basic Regulation, it was examined whether, despite the conclusion on injurious dumping, compelling reasons existed for concluding that it was not in the Union interest to adopt anti-dumping measures in this particular case. The analysis of the Union interest was based on an appreciation of all the various interests involved in this proceeding, including those of the Union industry and users of the product concerned. The consequences of not taking measures were also considered on the basis of the evidence submitted.

2.   INTEREST OF THE UNION INDUSTRY

(147)

The above analysis showed that the Union industry suffered material injury caused by the dumped imports from Kazakhstan which significantly undercut its prices on the Union market. The majority of the injury indicators showed a negative trend during the period considered. The Union industry lost significant market share and injury indicators relating to the financial performance of the Union industry, such as cash flow, return on investments and profitability, were seriously affected. After the IP, the downward trend continued and led the Union industry to file for bankrutcy. Negotiations are ongoing for a potential takeover aiming at resuming production in the short term.

(148)

White phosphorus is an important raw material worldwide used in numerous applications such as pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, manufacture of phosphoric acid and its derivatives that are used for food and detergents, and manufacture of phosphor alloys that can be used in metallurgy. Given that white phosphorus is produced by a limited number of producers in other third countries and that it is a raw material for many downstream products produced in the Union, it was therefore considered that it is in the Union interest to have production capacity within the Union.

(149)

It is expected that the imposition of anti-dumping duties will redress the unfair trade practice found and allow the Union industry to improve its prospects for viability. Moreover, the imposition of measures would enable the Union industry to improve economies of scale by selling increased volumes and regaining at least part of the market share lost during the period considered, with a positive impact on its prospects. In this respect, it should be recalled that the Union industry has been producing and selling white phosphorus since the 1970s, despite having faced competition from third country imports that also had natural advantages in terms of access to raw material. Several interested parties claimed that the Union industry cannot be considered as a valuable supplier, given its current situation (bankruptcy) and given that, in any event, the Union industry acts as a competitor to its customers of white phosphorus in the derivatives market. In reply to this claim, it should be noted that the current situation of the Union industry does not necessarily imply a permanent prodution stop as negotiations for a takeover aiming at resuming production of white phosphorus are still ongoing. Moreover, the investigation established that the Union industry depends on sales in the free market in order to improve its economies of scale and stay viable. For all these reasons it was concluded that the Union industry can be a valuable supplier of white phosphorus to the Union’s free market.

(150)

In addition, the Union industry has sought to develop alternative raw material sources and made some investments in a new technology, the so-called ‘cradle-to-cradle-approach’ to recycle white phosphorus. While this method is still in its formative stages, it could be one important element in ensuring the Union industry’s viability in the long term. If successful this would allow the Union industry to benefit from a new secondary raw material source within the Union market and to reduce possible over-dependence on imports of phosphate rocks.

(151)

Following the disclosure of the information document, several interested parties questioned the relevance of the development of new technology in the Union interest analysis. These parties questioned the disappearance of the Union industry should anti-dumping measures not be imposed and argued that therefore investments in this technology would likely continue. They also claimed that the cradle-to-cradle initatitive is not unique and several other companies in the Union are investing in alternative recycling technologies for phosphate which are allegedly economically more viable. Finally, it was alleged that the cradle-to-cradle technology would mainly serve the Union industry’s captive market and therefore users would not benefit therefrom.

(152)

It should be noted that the developments after the IP (bankruptcy) does not seem to support the above allegations. It should be noted further that the cradle-to-cradle approach even if not unique, remains an important element to reduce the Union’s dependency on imports of primary raw material and indirectly of imports of white phosphorus from third countries, to the benefit of all users, if successful. There is finally no evidence in the file from which it could have been concluded that the cradle-to-cradle approach would be economically not feasible.

(153)

On the other hand, should measures not be imposed, the viability prospects of the Union industry in the free market would become much more challenging and it would very likely be forced to close down production permanently. The likely consequence would be the discontinuation of the Union industry’s production for the free market. This would entail that the Union would become entirely dependent on third country imports from a limited number of producers of white phosphorus, which is the basis for numerous downstream applications produced in the Union.

(154)

The effect of the dumped imports on the captive market of the Union industry was also considered. The investigation indicated that the imposition of measures would redress the competitive disadvantage caused by the dumped imports in the downstream market.

(155)

On the other hand, if no measures were imposed and the Union industry had to cease production permanently, the Union industry is expected to face difficulties in respect of procuring the large amount of white phosphorus needed for the production of its downstream products. Several interested parties claimed that the analysis of the interest for the Union industry should only relate to the sales in the free market. In reply to this claim it should be noted that as described in recital 53 the Union industry is vertically integrated and a substantial part of its production is indeed used in its own captive use. However, the proportion of the sales in free and captive use is not a stable parameter and the recent developments have proven that the captive use may not be sustained by itself without the free sales of white phosphorus.

(156)

In view of the above considerations, it was concluded that the imposition of anti-dumping measures on imports of the product concerned originating in Kazakhstan would be in the interest of the Union industry.

3.   INTEREST OF USERS

3.1.   General

(157)

Following the notice of initiation, over thirty parties made themselves known and declared their interest in the proceeding. The investigation revealed that the parties who made themselves known were mainly users; some of them importing the product concerned themselves.

(158)

Eleven companies classified themselves as users and filled in questionnaires. These companies accounted for the vast majority of the imports of the product concerned during the IP and for a significant percentage of total Union consumption. These users represented almost the complete range of downstream products. Therefore, they constitute a representative group upon which the impact of measures imposed on imports of the product concerned could be assessed in relation to their business of finished products incorporating the product concerned.

(159)

The remaining companies were users either directly using the product concerned or using downstream products in which the product concerned is an important component. As users are mainly producing commodity or intermediate products using the product concerned that is then further transformed into finished downstream products by other users, it was considered appropriate to give all companies which made themselves known the opportunity to present their views and submit information, even if they were not direct users.

3.2.   Impact on users

3.2.1.   General

(160)

Essentially, the users of the product concerned can be divided into two segments: acid derivatives (notably the production of phosphoric acid) and non-acid derivatives (such as phosphorus pentasulfide, phosphorus trichloride, red phosphorus, flame retardants). In addition the downstream users were also considered.

3.2.2.   Acid derivatives segment

(161)

The acid derivatives segment deals mainly with the production of thermal phosphoric acid and its derivatives in food additives. The share of the product concerned in the finished products of this segment is high in relation to overall turnover. In addition, the cost of the product concerned in relation to the cost of the finished products was found to be significant. This is due to the fact that the production process of these users requires limited additional input apart from the main raw material, which is white phosphorus.

(162)

Considering the above, it could be expected that the imposition of measures would have a substantial impact on the users in this segment. Although the investigation has shown that users in this segment enjoyed high level profits during the IP, their profitability varied considerably between 2008 and the IP, reaching much lower levels in years prior to the IP. Furthermore, it was claimed that any duty cannot be passed on to their customers. In view of the above, it is expected that an anti-dumping duty could indeed have a significant effect on the profitability of users in the acid derivate segment which could turn even into losses and ultimately threaten their existence.

(163)

Following the disclosure of the information document, one user claimed that the product produced by the Union industry is of a higher purity than the product normally used in the acid derivatives segment. The product concerned imported from Kazakhstan was of a lesser purity and more apt for the use in the acid derivatives segment. Therefore, the Union industry was not considered as an alternative supplier in this segment.

(164)

This argument was only put forward at a very late stage of the proceeding. The party concerned did not support the above allegations with any evidence. Furthermore, they did not contest that, as concluded above in recitals 13 to 17, white phosphorus produced and sold in the Union by the Union industry and the white phosphorus produced in the country concerned and exported to the Union had the same basic physical, chemical and technical characteristics and uses. Therefore, this argument was rejected.

3.2.3.   Non-acid derivatives segment

(165)

The non-acid derivatives segment deals with a wider range of products varying in applications such as flame retardants, water treatment, automotive lubricant additives, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. The cost of the product concerned in relation to the total cost of the finished product varies considerably between those users depending on the downstream product manufactured.

(166)

After the disclosure of the information document, some users provided a more detailed breakdown of their costs and in particular the cost of the product concerned in their overall costs. The figures provided in the questionnaire were reported on an aggregated basis and showed that white phosphorus represented from under 5 % to approximately 30 % of the cost of the finished products. However, the information provided after disclosure indicated that for some specific product types these costs could be considerably higher.

(167)

Users in this segment had a larger variety of suppliers and were not exclusively sourcing white phosphorus from Kazakhstan.

(168)

Users in this segment also produced a more varied range of products and the importance of finished products incorporating white phosphorus in the overall business varied therefore between below 5 % and over 75 %. The profitability of the finished product incorporating white phosphorus varied and reached up to over 10 %. It is generally observed that for the companies where the profit levels were lower the importance of the products incorporating white phosphorus in relation to the total turnover of the overall business was also low. It follows that in such cases the impact of the imposition of measures was expected to be limited, though not negligible assuming that users in this segment would not be able to pass any price increase on to their downstream customers and that Kazakhstan will be their sole supplier.

3.2.4.   Downstream users

(169)

The impact of the duty on the downstream users will be further diluted as it only has a marginal impact on the cost of production. The investigation has also shown that cooperating downstream users had profit margins up to over 15 %. Furthermore, given that the direct users have claimed that they will not be able to pass on any price increase to their downstream customers, it is uncertain whether there will be an impact at all.

(170)

Following the disclosure of the information document, one downstream user claimed that, in contrast to the conclusions in recital 169 above, the imposition of anti-dumping duties would effect them as their suppliers would pass on the cost increase to them. However, this company did not provide any data which could have confirmed this allegation and therefore this claim was rejected.

(171)

On this basis, it was concluded that anti-dumping duties would only have a very limited impact, if any at all, on the profitability of downstream users.

3.2.5.   Competition in the derivatives market

(172)

A number of users claimed that should measures be imposed, they would lose competitiveness with regard to imports of derivatives from the People’s Republic of China. However, no concrete evidence was provided in this regard.

(173)

In this respect, it is noted that an anti-dumping duty aims to restore the level playing field in the white phosphorus market in the Union. No supporting evidence was available that imports of white phosphorus derivatives from the People’s Republic of China had increased considerably over the past years or would increase in the near future. In addition, there was no evidence in the file to which conditions such imports would be made or at which price levels. On this basis, this argument was rejected.

3.2.6.   Employment

(174)

Certain interested parties claimed that the number of workers employed in the user industry as a whole outweighs that of the Union industry and that therefore the imposition of anti-dumping measures would be against the overall Union interest.

(175)

It is noted that the Union interest analysis is not limited to a simple comparison of the number of employees of the Union industry on the one hand and the users industry on the other hand. Therefore, the fact that users have a higher number of employment on its own is not sufficient to conclude that measures would be against the overall Union industry. Rather, the impact of the imposition or non-imposition of measures on the business activities and profitability of the users concerned on the one hand and the Union industry on the other hand is investigated. Therefore, this argument was rejected.

3.2.7.   Conclusion

(176)

The above analysis has shown that the imposition of measures would affect users in both segments, however to a lesser extent in the non-acid derivatives segment. In particular, white phosphorus constitutes a major part of the production cost of the acid derivatives segment and therefore any duty would have a significant effect on their costs and profitability. The investigation has also shown that the existence of the users in this segment would be at stake should measures be imposed.

4.   THE EUROPEAN UNION’S RAW MATERIAL INITIATIVE

(177)

Certain interested parties claimed that the imposition of measures would be in contradiction to the European Union’s ‘raw materials initiative’ (3) put in place to promote amongst others the sustainable supply of raw materials as well as resource efficiency. The raw materials initiative is, however, not a bar to the imposition of anti-dumping measures that aim at restoring a level playing field and thus addresses unfair competition caused by dumping practices.

(178)

In any event, it would appear that in a market which is characterised by few producers worldwide, maintaining the existence of Union production of an important raw material would be fully in line with the objective to ensure sustainable supply of raw materials to the Union market.

5.   COMPETITION ISSUES

(179)

Certain interested parties claimed that the imposition of measures would lead to the abuse of a dominant position by the Union industry since the Union market would be closed to supply from other sources. This claim was supported by the allegation that in the past the Union industry had used the introduction of the Chinese export restrictions to raise their prices in the Union market. No factual evidence of abuse of dominant position was, however, provided.

(180)

From recital above, it is recalled that the Union industry’s market share decreased considerably over the period considered. On the contrary, the market share of the exporting producer in the free market increased substantially which is currently by far the largest supplier in the Union market.

(181)

Furthermore, the undercutting levels calculated in this investigation (71) were higher than the level of dumping found, (recital 48 above) which indicated that even with the imposition of anti-dumping measures, by applying the lesser duty rule, the price levels of the imports from Kazakhstan are likely to remain below the sales prices of the Union industry. It is therefore not likely that imports would cease as a consequence of the measures.

(182)

It is also recalled that white phosphorus from the People’s Republic of China and Vietnam was imported into the Union market throughout the period considered, despite the export restrictions in place in the People’s Republic of China, and will likely continue.

(183)

Following the disclosure of the information document, several interested parties claimed that the imposition of duties would increase the cost of the users while the Union industry in the derivatives market (captive use) would not be affected to the same extent by the duty. This would create a competitive advantage for the Union industry in the derivatives market and likely, lead to a dominant position of the Union industry in the downstream market. However, as it was already described above in recital 181, the undercutting levels calculated in this investigation were higher than the level of dumping found, which indicated that even with the imposition of anti-dumping measures, by applying the lesser duty rule, the price levels of the imports from Kazakhstan are likely to remain below the sales prices of the Union industry in free and captive market. As a result, the claim that the imposition of measures would lead to the abuse of a dominant position by the Union industry in the derivatives market, has to be rejected.

(184)

Given the above considerations, it could therefore be concluded that the imposition of anti-dumping measures would not have a distorting effect on the Union market.

6.   TRADE BALANCE BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND THE UNION

(185)

The cooperating exporting producer claimed to be a major importer of equipment and machinery for the production of the product concerned from the Union. In this regard, it was argued that if anti-dumping measures were imposed, this would affect the trade balance between the Union and Kazakhstan as the cooperating exporting producer would stop importing such equipment from the Union.

(186)

The object of imposing trade defence measures is to redress unfair trade practices and has no relation with the purchase of machinery and equipment for the manufacturing of the product concerned. This argument must therefore be considered irrelevant in the context of this anti-dumping investigation.

7.   GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES

(187)

Following the disclosure of the information document, several interested parties claimed that the impact on users will be further enhanced as the imports of the product concerned, in addition to a possible anti-dumping duty, will also be subject to the normal custom duty as from 1 January 2014.

(188)

It is noted that indeed, under the new Generalised Scheme of Preferences of the European Union (GSP) which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2014, Kazakhstan will no longer be listed as a beneficiary country. Therefore, as of 1 January 2014, and until that situation persists, imports of Kazakhstan of white phosphorus will be subject to the normal duty rate of 5,5 %.

(189)

However, future developments cannot be taken into consideration in the analysis as their precise impact on import prices and quantities and the effect of such developments on the Union market cannot be evaluated a priori. Therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn on this basis. Thus, this claim was rejected.

8.   CONCLUSION ON UNION INTEREST

(190)

Should measures not be imposed, there is a strong likelihood that production of white phosphorus within the Union and the production of derivatives by the Union industry will not resume. On the other hand, as also claimed by some interested parties, the imposition of measures may not provide sufficient relief to the Union industry, as imports from Kazakhstan, even when subject to duties, would remain more competitive in terms of prices than the Union industry sales and would therefore not guarantee that the Union industry could overcome its current fragile situation.

(191)

In contrast, it was found that users in the acid derivatives segment would be severely affected by the measures, and in some cases even their viability might be at stake, as they could not absorb the cost increase and continue to be competitive in the downstream market. This might lead to the closure of donwstream producers in this segment

(192)

Moreover, while the investigation found that the impact of measures in the non-acid derivatives segment was expected to be overall less pronounced compared to the acid derivatives segment, some specific users in this segment might be more significantly affected depending on the specific downstream product produced by them. Overall, the impact of the duty in this segment could not be regarded as negligible.

(193)

It should be noted that the cooperating users providing the necessary information in this proceeding, represented almost the totality of imports from the country concerned and a very high proportion of the consumption of white phosphorus in the free market. They were strongly against the imposition of any anti-dumping duties because of the impact on their costs which they showed could not or could not fully be reflected in their selling prices and which would therefore lead to a downward trend of their economic and financial situation with possible closures of production.

(194)

This is mainly due to the fact that white phosphorus is a resource which is, for almost all the users that came forward, regarded as a highly important raw material in their production process, representing a considerable part of their total production cost as mentioned above in recitals 161 and 166. Any anti-dumping duty has therefore a direct and important impact on their costs, while costs increases cannot be passed on to the downstream industries.

(195)

As mentioned above in recital 190, the benefit to the Union industry of the imposition of an anti-dumping duty remains questionable. This is due to the currently transitional situation of the Union industry and the uncertainty of its future development as well as the fact that import prices from Kazakhstan may very likely remain significantly below the Union industry’s sales prices even if anti-dumping measures will be imposed. Under these circumstances, it was considered that the likely negative effect of any anti-dumping duty on the downstream industries outweighs the expected positive effects of the duty on the Union industry.

(196)

On the basis of the above, on balance, it was concluded that the negative impact of measures on the users is more significant than the overall benefit to the Union industry. Therefore, in this case, it is considered that despite the conclusions on injurious dumping, it can be clearly concluded that it is not in the Union interest to adopt anti-dumping measures.

G.   PROPOSAL FOR TERMINATION OF THE PROCEEDING

(197)

In view of the conclusions reached above with regard to dumping, injury, causation and Union interest, in accordance with Article 9 and Article 21 of the basic Regulation, the proceeding should be terminated without the imposition of measures.

(198)

All parties concerned were informed of the final findings and the intention to terminate the procceding and were given the opportunity to comment. Their comments were considered but they have not altered the conclusions reached above,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of white phosphorus, also called elemental or yellow phosphorus originating in the Republic of Kazakhstan is hereby terminated.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2013.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel BARROSO


(1)   OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 51.

(2)   OJ C 369, 17.12.2011, p. 19.

(3)  COM(2008) 699 final.


Corrigenda

14.2.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 43/59


Corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 758/2011 of 1 August 2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 1291/2009 concerning the selection of returning holdings for the purpose of determining incomes of agricultural holdings

( Official Journal of the European Union L 199 of 2 August 2011 )

On page 43, in point (3) of the Annex, concerning the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 1291/2009:

for:

 

‘HUNGARY

 

764

Alföld

1 016

767

Dunántúl

675

768

Észak-Magyarország

209

Total Hungary

1 900 ’

read:

 

‘HUNGARY

 

767

Alföld

1 016

768

Dunántúl

675

764

Észak-Magyarország

209

Total Hungary

1 900 ’