On 17 December 2015, the European Commission (‘the Commission’) initiated an anti-dumping investigation with regard to imports into the Union of certain manganese oxides originating in Brazil, Georgia, India and Mexico (‘the countries concerned’) on the basis of Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 (‘the basic Regulation’). It published a Notice of Initiation in the Official Journal of the European Union (‘the Notice of Initiation’).

The Commission initiated the investigation following a complaint lodged on 20 November 2015 by Erachem Comilog SPRL (‘the complainant’), the sole producer of certain manganese oxides in the Union, thus representing 100 % of the total Union production of certain manganese oxides. The complaint contained evidence of dumping and of resulting material injury that was sufficient to justify the initiation of the investigation.

The Commission invited the complainant, users and importers, known exporting producers in the countries concerned as well as associations known to be affected by the initiation of the investigation and invited them to participate. 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.

The complainant, the exporting producers in the countries concerned, importers and traders 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.