The European Commission on Friday opened a new anti-dumping investigation into certain steel products from China, the second of its kind in recent months.

The investigation covers stainless steel cold rolled flat products, according to the Official Journal of the European Union (EU). Besides China, South Korea was also targeted.

The commission said the investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged on December 21, 2007 by the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (Eurofer), a Brussels-based industry body representing major EU steel producers such as ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp.

Upon receiving complaints, the commission has 45 days to decide whether to launch an anti-dumping investigation.

On December 14, 2007, the commission, upon another complaint from Eurofer in late October, opened its first anti-dumping investigation into certain hot-dipped metallic-coated iron or steel flat-rolled products from China.

Till now, Eurofer has filed three anti-dumping complaints against steel imports from China. The third one, which has not been decided by the commission, was against Chinese wire rod.

The EU anti-dumping investigation normally takes no more than a year, and in any case must be completed within 15 months, after which the EU governments have the final say on whether to impose definite anti-dumping duties for five years.

However, during the investigation period, the commission may, within 60 days to nine months, impose provisional duties, which may last for six to nine months.

Under EU rules, before taking provisional anti-dumping measures, the commission must consult member states, which are set to be divided on the issue.

Regarding Eurofer's previous complaints, the Chinese government said last November that China's iron and steel industry would expand to satisfy domestic demand rather than to dominate the global market.

China's Ministry of Commerce voiced regrets over the anti-dumping applications and hoped to solve the issue through dialogue and negotiations. It also hoped the commission would refrain from adopting anti-dumping measures.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)