Commission Regulation (EU) No 1241/2009

of 16 December 2009

continuing and updating the scope of prior surveillance of imports of certain iron and steel products originating in certain third countries

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

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

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 260/2009 of 26 February 2009 on common rules for imports [1], and in particular Article 11 thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 625/2009 of 7 July 2009 on common rules for imports from certain third countries [2] and in particular Article 9 thereof,

After consultations with the Advisory Committee,

Whereas:

(1) By Regulation (EC) No 76/2002 [3], the Commission introduced prior Community surveillance of imports of certain iron and steel products originating in third countries.

(2) The Union’s external trade statistics are not available within the periods established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1917/2000 [4].

(3) Although the situation has changed since the introduction of surveillance in 2002, developments in the world steel market continue to require a reliable and quick information system on the future imports of the Union.

(4) The trends of imports of the products currently under surveillance as well as stainless steel flat products and large welded tubes, currently not under the surveillance system, were examined. It was deemed necessary to examine trends for these additional products given the fact that they represent the most value-added products on the market.

(5) In the last years, imports into the EU of those steel products increased substantially (by 40 %) in absolute terms between 2005 and 2008. Even if imports started to decrease since the end of 2008, imports merely followed the drop in demand and, in terms relative to consumption, they remained significant.

(6) Worldwide steel production capacities have grown in 2006-2008 and are expected to continue to grow until 2010. Two-digit capacity growth in the next 2 years is expected in a variety of regions especially in China, India, Brazil and the Middle East. China, the most important country in terms of increasing capacity, represents today about 40 % of the world crude steel making capacity and about three times the EU’s yearly consumption of steel.

(7) Given the fact that the EU is an important market for steel in terms of size and price, especially in the context of a strong currency, it is likely that once the market recovers and the demand on the Union market improves, any excess in steel capacity would be re-directed to the EU. In comparison, access to third country markets has been reduced to a various extent recently as countries in several geographical areas (such as Americas, Asia, Middle East) have taken measures to protect or support their steel industry. These measures took different forms, including tariff increases, licensing requirement, buy local requirements, and concern markets with a significant share of the global consumption.

(8) The production of crude steel and stainless steel flat products in the EU reached the highest level in 2007 and 2006 respectively, and then started decreasing in 2008. During the first semester 2009 there was a contraction of 43,2 % compared to the first semester of 2008 as opposed to a contraction in world steel output of 22,4 % during the same period. The crisis has had an impact on all the largest steel producing countries of the EU, and as a reaction steel producers have reduced the number of days of production, thus increasing the idle capacity.

(9) All producers have significantly reduced employment. In June 2009 around 40 % of the work force in the EU steel sector was affected by the economic crises in the form of permanent or temporary lay-offs and short-time working.

(10) On the basis of recent trends in imports of steel products, of the current vulnerable situation of the EU industry, the continuing weak demand on the EU market and of the likelihood that current and future excess capacity would be re-directed to EU if demand would recover, a threat of injury to Union producers pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 260/2009 can therefore be deemed to exist.

(11) Thus, the Union interest requires that imports of certain steel products should continue to be subject to prior surveillance in order to provide advanced statistical information permitting rapid analysis of import trends. Rapid and anticipated trade data is necessary to deal with the vulnerability of the European steel market to sudden changes on world steel markets. This is particularly important in the present crisis situation marked by uncertainties as to whether the demand will structurally pick up and whether the EU industry will actually benefit from it.

(12) Furthermore, in view of the developments on the market of flat stainless steel products and large welded tubes and the situation of the industries at stake, and given that similar steel import monitoring systems include these products, it is appropriate that the scope of this system includes the products listed in Annex I.

(13) Taking into account the developments mentioned above, and taking into consideration that other major steel producing countries such as Canada and the United States of America have recently decided to extend their similar steel import monitoring systems (extended until 31 August 2011 and 21 March 2013, respectively), it is appropriate that this system should continue until 31 December 2012.

(14) In order to minimise unnecessary constraints and not disturb excessively the activities of companies close to the borders, the net weight of imports that are excluded from the application of this Regulation remains at 2500 kilograms,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 76/2002 is amended as follows:

1. the scope of the prior surveillance shall be extended to the products listed in Annex I;

2. in Article 6 delete " 31 December 2009" and substitute with " 31 December 2012";

3. the list of competent national authorities shall be replaced by the list in Annex II.

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, 16 December 2009.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel Barroso

[1] OJ L 84, 31.3.2009, p. 1.

[2] OJ L 185, 17.7.2009, p. 1.

[3] OJ L 16, 18.1.2002, p. 3.

[4] OJ L 229, 9.9.2000, p. 14.

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ANNEX I

List of products to be added to the list of products subject to prior surveillance

72191100

72191210

72191290

72191310

72191390

72191410

72191490

72192110

72192190

72192210

72192290

72192300

72192400

72193100

72193210

72193290

72193310

72193390

72193410

72193490

72193510

72193590

72199020

72199080

72201100

72201200

72202021

72202029

72202041

72202049

72202081

72202089

72209020

72209080

72285020

Complete CN heading 7305

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ANNEX II

LISTA DE LAS AUTORIDADES NACIONALES COMPETENTES

СПИСЪК НА КОМПЕТЕНТНИТЕ НАЦИОНАЛНИ ОРГАНИ

SEZNAM P??SLU?N?CH VNITROST?TN?CH ORG?N?

LISTE OVER KOMPETENTE NATIONALE MYNDIGHEDER

LISTE DER ZUST?NDIGEN BEH?RDEN DER MITGLIEDSTAATEN

P?DEVATE RIIKLIKE ASUTUSTE NIMEKIRI

ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΣΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΡΧΩΝ ΕΚΔΟΣΗΣ ΑΔΕΙΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΡΑΤΩΝ ΜΕΛΩΝ

LIST OF THE COMPETENT NATIONAL AUTHORITIES

LISTE DES AUTORIT?S NATIONALES COMP?TENTES

ELENCO DELLE COMPETENTI AUTORIT? NAZIONALI

VALSTU KOMPETENTO IESTA?U SARAKSTS

ATSAKING? NACIONALINI? INSTITUCIJ? S?RA?AS

AZ ILLET?KES NEMZETI HAT?S?GOK LIST?JA

LISTA TAL-AWTORITAJIET KOMPETENTI NAZZJONALI

LIJST VAN BEVOEGDE NATIONALE INSTANTIES

LISTA W?A?CIWYCH ORGAN?W KRAJOWYCH

LISTA DAS AUTORIDADES NACIONAIS COMPETENTES

LISTA AUTORIT??ILOR NA?IONALE COMPETENTE

ZOZNAM PR?SLU?N?CH ?T?TNYCH ORG?NOV

SEZNAM PRISTOJNIH NACIONALNIH ORGANOV

LUETTELO TOIMIVALTAISISTA KANSALLISISTA VIRANOMAISISTA

F?RTECKNING ?VER BEH?RIGA NATIONELLA MYNDIGHETER

BELGIQUE/BELGI?

Service public fédéral de l’économie, des PME, des classes moyennes et de l’énergie

Direction générale du potentiel économique

Service des licences

Rue de Louvain 44

1000 Bruxelles

BELGIQUE

Tél. +32 25486469

Fax +32 22775063

Federale Overheidsdienst Economie, Kmo, Middenstand & Energie

Algemene Directie Economisch Potentieel

Dienst Vergunningen

Leuvenseweg 44

1000 Brussel

BELGI?

Tel. +32 25486469

Fax +32 22775063

БЪЛГАРИЯ

Министерство на икономиката, енергетиката и туризма Дирекция дирекция "Регистриране, лицензиране и контрол"

ул. "Славянска"№ 8

1052 София

Тел. +359 29407008 / +359 29407673 /+359 29407800

Факс +359 29815041 /+359 29804710 / +359 29883654

?ESK? REPUBLIKA

Ministerstvo pr?myslu a obchodu

Licen?ní správa

Na Franti?ku 32

110 15 Praha 1

?ESK? REPUBLIKA

Tel. +420 224907111

Fax +420 224212133

DANMARK

Erhvervs- og Byggestyrelsen

?konomi- og Erhvervsministeriet

Langelinie Allé 17

2100 K?benhavn ?

Tlf. +45 35466030

Fax +45 35466029

Fax +45 35466001

DEUTSCHLAND

Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle, (BAFA)

Frankfurter Stra?e 29-35

65760 Eschborn 1

DEUTSCHLAND

Tel. +49 61969080

Fax +49 6196908800

EESTI

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium

Harju 11

15072 Tallinn

Tel. +372 6256400

Faks +372 6313660

FRANCE

Ministère de l’économie, de l’Industrie et de l’emploi

Direction générale de la compétitivité, de l’industrie et des services

Sous-direction "industries de santé, de la chimie et des nouveaux matériaux"

Bureau "matérieaux du futur et nouveaux procédés"

Le Bervil

12 rue Villiot

75572 Paris Cedex 12

FRANCE

Tél. +33 153449026

Fax +33 153449172

ITALIA

Ministero delle Attività produttive

Direzione generale per la politica commerciale e per la gestione del regime degli scambi

Viale America 341

00144 Roma RM

ITALIA

Tel. +39 0659647517 / +39 0659932471 / +39 0659932245 / +39 0659932260

Fax +39 0659932235 / +39 0659932636

ΚΥΠΡΟΣ/KYPROS

Υπουργε?ο Εμπορ?ου, Βιομηχαν?α? και Τουρισμο?

Υπηρεσ?α Εμπορ?ου

Μον?δα ?κδοση? Αδει?ν Εισαγωγ??/Εξαγωγ??

Οδ?? Ανδρ?α Αραο?ζου Αρ. 6

1421 Λευκωσ?α

ΚΥΠΡΟΣ/KYPROS

Τηλ. +357 22867100

Φαξ +357 22375120

IRELAND

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Import/Export Licensing, Block C

Earlsfort Centre

Hatch Street

Dublin 2

IRELAND

Tel. +353 16312121

Fax +353 16312562

ΕΛΛΑΣ

Υπουργε?ο Οικονομ?α?, Ανταγωνιστικ?τητα? & Ναυτιλ?α?

Γενικ? Διε?θυνση Διεθνο?? Οικονομικ?? Πολιτικ??

Διε?θυνση Καθεστ?των Εισαγωγ?ν-Εξαγωγ?ν, Εμπορικ?? ?μυνα?

Κορν?ρου 1

105 63 Αθ?να

ΕΛΛΑΣ

Τηλ. +30 2103286021/22

Φαξ +30 2103286094

ESPA?A

Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio

Secretaría General de Comercio Exterior

Subdirección General de Comercio Exterior de Productos Industriales

Paseo de la Castellana 162

28046 Madrid

ESPA?A

Tel. +34 913493817 / +34 9134937488

Fax +34 913493831

LATVIJA

Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija

Brīvības iela 55

Rīga, LV-1519

Tel. +371 670132 99/00 / +371 67013248

Fakss +371 67280882

LIETUVA

Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija

Prekybos departamentas

Gedimino pr. 38/2

LT-01104 Vilnius

Tel. +370 52628750 / +370 52619488

Faks. +370 52623974

LUXEMBOURG

Ministère de l’économie et du commerce extérieu

Office des licences

BP 113

2011 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

Tél. +352 4782371

Fax +352 466138

MAGYARORSZ?G

Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal

Budapest

Margit krt. 85.

1024

MAGYARORSZ?G

Tel. +36 13367303

Fax +36 13367302

E-mail: mkeh@mkeh.gov.hu

MALTA

Divi?joni g?all-Kummer?

Servizzi Kummer?jali

Lascaris

Valletta

CMR 02

Tel. +356 21237112

Fax +356 25690299

NEDERLAND

Belastingdienst/Douane centrale dienst voor in- en uitvoer

Postbus 30003, Engelse Kamp 2

9700 RD Groningen

NEDERLAND

Tel. +31 505232600

Fax +31 505232210

ROM?NIA

Ministerul ?ntreprinderilor Mici ?i Mijlocii, Comer?ului ?i Mediului de Afaceri

Direc?ia General? Politici Comerciale

Str. Ion C?mpineanu, nr. 16, sector 1

010036 Bucure?ti

Tel. +40 213150081

Fax +40 213150454

e-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro

SLOVENIJA

Ministrstvo za finance

Carinska uprava Republike Slovenije

Carinski urad Jesenice

Spodnji plav? 6C

SI-4270 Jesenice

SLOVENIJA

Tel. +386 42974470

Faks +386 42974472

SLOVENSKO

Ministerstvo hospodárstva

Mierová 19

827 15 Bratislava 212

Slovenská republika

Tel. +421 248542021 / +421 248547119

Fax +421 248543116

?STERREICH

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Familie und Jugend

Au?enwirtschaftsadministration

Abteilung C2/2

Stubenring 1

1011 Wien

Tel. +43 171100-0

Fax +43 171100/83 86

POLSKA

Ministerstwo Gospodarki

Plac Trzech Krzy?y 3/5

00-507 Warszawa

POLSKA

Tel. +48 226935553

Fax +48 226934021

PORTUGAL

Ministério das Finan?as e da Administra??o Pública

Direc??o-Geral das Alf?ndegas e dos Impostos

Especiais sobre o Consumo

Rua da Alf?ndega, n.o 5, r/c

1149-006 Lisboa

PORTUGAL

Tel. +35 1218814263

Fax +35 1218813990

SUOMI/FINLAND

Tullihallitus

PL 512

FI-00101 Helsinki

P. +358 96141

F. +358 204922852

Tullstyrelsen

PB 512

FI-00101 Helsingfors

Fax +358 204922852

SVERIGE

Kommerskollegium

Box 6803

SE-113 86 Stockholm

Tfn +46 86904800

Fax +46 8306759

UNITED KINGDOM

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Import Licensing Branch

Queensway House — West Precinct

Billingham

TS23 2NF

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1642364333 / +44 1642364334

Fax +44 1642364269

E-mail: enquiries.ilb@bis.gsi.gov.uk

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