INITIATION
(1)
In June 2013 the European Commission (‘the Commission’) initiated an anti-dumping proceeding with regard to imports into the Union of agglomerated stone originating in the People's Republic of China and published a notice of initiation in the Official Journal of the European Union
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(2)
The proceeding was initiated following a complaint lodged on 14 May 2013 by A.St.A Europe (‘the complainant’), on behalf of Union producers representing more than 25 % of the total Union production of agglomerated stone.
(3)
The complaint contained prima facie evidence of dumping of the said product and of resulting material injury that was sufficient to justify the initiation.
(4)
The Commission informed the complainant, other known Union producers, Union producers association, the known exporting producers in the People's Republic of China (‘the PRC’), the representatives of the PRC, known importers, known Union producers of raw materials and equipment for the production of agglomerated stone, known users, association of producers of raw materials and associations of users and consumers of the initiation of the proceeding and sent questionnaires. 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.
(5)
The complainant, other Union producers, the exporting producers in the PRC, importers and users made their views known. All interested parties, who so requested and showed that there were particular reasons why they should be heard, were granted a hearing.