European Commission Launches Anti-Dumping Probe of Chinese Solar Panel Imports
The European Commission launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of solar panels and their key components (solar cells and wafers) originating in China, it said Sept. 6. The move followed a complaint by EU Pro Sun, which represents over 20 European companies that produce solar panels, that solar panels and key components coming from China enter the European market at prices below market value, the EC said.
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In terms of import value affected, this is the most significant anti-dumping compliant the EC has received so far, it said: in 2011, China exported solar panels and components worth around 21 billion euros ($26 billion) to the EU. The EC will send questionnaires to interested parties such as exporting producers, EU producers, importers and associations seeking information relating to the exports, production, sales and imports of solar panels and key components. It will then determine if dumping has occurred and whether the alleged injury has been caused by the dumped imports.
The EC will issue provisional findings within nine months of the launch of the investigation (June 2013), it said. It could impose provisional anti-dumping duties, usually for six months; continue the probe without imposing such duties; or terminate the investigation. Before deciding, the EC will conduct a “Union interest test” to assess whether the potential measure would be overall more costly to the EU economy than the benefit of the penalties would be to complainants, it said. On the basis of that finding, the EC may propose to the Council of Ministers to end the case without further action or to set anti-dumping measures for five years, it said. Governments must decide what action to take within 15 months of the investigation start, it said.