Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1103 of 6 June 2023 imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India following an expiry review pursuant to Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1103of 6 June 2023imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India following an expiry review pursuant to Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European UnionOJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 55. ("the basic Regulation"), and in particular Article 18 thereof,Whereas:1.PROCEDURE1.1.Previous investigations and measures in force(1)Following an anti-subsidy investigation, by Regulation (EC) No 1628/2004Council Regulation (EC) No 1628/2004 of 13 September 2004 imposing a definitive countervailing duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India (OJ L 295, 18.9.2004, p. 4)., the Council imposed definitive countervailing duties on imports of certain graphite electrodes systems originating in India. The Council, following an anti-dumping investigation with Regulation (EC) No 1629/2004Council Regulation (EC) No 1629/2004 of 13 September 2004 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India (OJ L 295, 18.9.2004, p. 10)., also imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain graphite electrodes systems originating in India ("the original investigation")(2)Following an ex officio partial interim review of the countervailing measures, the Council by Regulation (EC) No 1354/2008Council Regulation (EC) No 1354/2008 of 18 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1628/2004 imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India and Regulation (EC) No 1629/2004 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India (OJ L 350, 30.12.2008, p. 24). amended Regulations (EC) No 1628/2004 and (EC) No 1629/2004.(3)Further to an expiry review of the countervailing measures, the Council by Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1185/2010Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1185/2010 of 13 December 2010 imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India following an expiry review pursuant to Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 597/2009(OJ L 332, 16.12.2010, p. 1). extended the countervailing measures.(4)Further to an expiry review of the countervailing measures, the European Commission ("the Commission") with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/421Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/421 of 9 March 2017 imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India following an expiry review pursuant to Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 64, 10.3.2017, p. 10). extended the countervailing measures.(5)The countervailing measures took the form of an ad valorem duty rate of 6,3 % and 7,0 % for imports from individually named exporters, and a duty rate of 7,2 % on imports from all other companies in India.1.2.Request for an expiry review(6)Following the publication of a Notice of impending expiryOJ C 222, 11.6.2021, p. 24., the Commission received a request for a review pursuant to Article 18 of the basic Regulation.(7)The request for review was submitted on 9 December 2021 by Union producers, representing around 90 % of the total Union production of certain graphite electrodes systems ("the applicants"). The request for review was based on the grounds that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in continuation of subsidisation and or recurrence of injury to the Union industry. Some of the alleged subsidy practices were already countervailed in the original investigation while some others are additional or new subsidies, which were not examined in the original investigation. In view of Article 18(2) of the basic Regulation, the Commission prepared a memorandum on sufficiency of evidence containing the Commission’s assessment on all the evidence at its disposal concerning the country concerned and on the basis of which the Commission initiates this investigation. That memorandum can be found in the file for inspection by interested parties.(8)In accordance with Article 10(7) the basic Regulation, the Commission notified the Government of India ("GOI") prior to the initiation of the proceeding that it had received a properly documented review request. The Commission invited India for consultations with the aim of clarifying the situation as regards the contents of the review request and arriving at a mutually agreed solution. The GOI accepted the offer of consultations that were subsequently held on 3 March 2022. During the consultations, no mutually agreed solution could be arrived at.1.3.Initiation of an expiry review(9)Having determined, after consulting the Committee established by Article 25(1) of the basic Regulation, that sufficient evidence existed for the initiation of an expiry review, the Commission, on 9 March 2022, by Notice, published in the Official Journal of the European UnionNotice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-subsidy measures applicable to imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India (OJ C 113, 9.3.2022, p. 13). ("the Notice of Initiation"), initiated an expiry review with regard to imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India ("India" or "the country concerned") on the basis of Article 18 of the basic Regulation.1.4.Separate investigation concerning anti-dumping measures imposed on imports of the product under review(10)By a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 9 March 2022Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India (OJ C 113, 9.3.2022, p. 3)., the Commission also announced the initiation of an expiry review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilRegulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21)., of the definitive anti-dumping measures in force with regard to imports into the Union of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India1.5.Review investigation period and period considered(11)The investigation of a likelihood of continuation or recurrence of subsidisation covered the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 ("the review investigation period" or "RIP"). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of a likelihood of continuation or recurrence of injury covered the period from 1 January 2018 to the end of the review investigation period ("the period considered").1.6.Interested parties(12)In the Notice of Initiation, the Commission invited interested parties to contact it, in order to participate in the investigation. In addition, the Commission specifically informed the applicants, other known Union producers, the known exporting producers and the Indian authorities, known importers, suppliers and users, traders, as well as associations known to be concerned about the initiation of the investigation and invited them to participate.(13)Interested parties had an opportunity to comment on the initiation of the investigation and to request a hearing with the Commission and/or the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings.1.7.Sampling(14)In the Notice of Initiation, the Commission stated that it might sample the interested parties in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.1.7.1.Sampling of Union producers(15)In its Notice of Initiation, the Commission stated that it had provisionally selected a sample of Union producers. The Commission selected the sample on the basis of production and sales volumes of the like product in the Union. This sample consisted of three Union producers. The sampled Union producers accounted for around 61 % of the estimated total Union production and 64 % of the estimated sales volume of the like product in the Union. The Commission invited interested parties to comment on the provisional sample. The Commission received no comments. The sample was therefore considered representative of the Union industry.1.7.2.Sampling of importers(16)To decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, the Commission asked unrelated importers to provide the information specified in the Notice of Initiation.(17)No importers came forward and provided the requested information.1.8.Questionnaire replies and remote cross-checking(18)At the initiation the questionnaires were made available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s websitehttps://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2586.(19)Questionnaire replies were received from the three sampled Union producers, the Government of the Republic of India ("GOI") and one Indian exporting producer. None of the users provided a questionnaire or came forward during the investigation.(20)The Commission sought and verified all the information it deemed necessary for the determination of the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of subsidisation and resulting injury and for the determination of the Union interest. Verification visits pursuant to Article 26 of the basic Regulation were carried out at the premises of the GOI and of the following companies:(a)Union producersGrafTech Iberica S.L., Navarra, SpainShowa Denko Carbon Spain S.A., A Coruna, SpainTokai Erftcarbon GmbH, Grevenbroich, Germany(b)Exporting producer in India:HEG Limited, Bhopal ("HEG")2.PRODUCT UNDER REVIEW AND LIKE PRODUCT2.1.Product under review(21)The product under review is graphite electrodes of a kind used for electric furnaces, with an apparent density of 1,65 g/cm3 or more and an electrical resistance of 6,0 μΩ.m or less, and nipples used for such electrodes, whether imported together or separately ("the product under review"), currently falling under CN codes ex85451100 and ex85459090 (TARIC codes 8545110010 and 8545909010). "the product under review" or "GES").2.2.Like product(22)As established in the original investigation as well as in the previous expiry reviews, this expiry review investigation confirmed that the following products have the same basic physical, chemical and technical characteristics as well as the same basic uses:the product under review;the product produced and sold on the domestic market of the country concerned, andthe product produced and sold in the Union by the Union industry.(23)The Commission decided that those products are therefore like products within the meaning of Article 1(4) of the basic Regulation.3.LIKELIHOOD OF CONTINUATION OR RECURRENCE OF SUBSIDISATION(24)In accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, and as stated in the Notice of Initiation, the Commission examined whether the expiry of the existing measures would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of subsidisation.3.1.Subsidies and subsidy programmes within the scope of the investigation(25)On the basis of the information contained in the review request, as well as the information submitted by the GOI and the cooperating exporting producer, the following schemes, which allegedly involve the granting of subsidies, were investigated:Schemes originally investigated and confirmed during the last expiry review(a)Advance Authorisation Scheme ("AAS");(b)Merchandise Export from India Scheme ("MEIS");(c)Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme ("EPCGS");(d)Duty Drawback Scheme ("DDS")(e)Regional Schemes: electricity duty exemption and fiscal assistance;Additional schemes(f)Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products ("RODTEP");(g)Pre-shipment and Post-shipment Export Financing, Interest Equalization scheme ("IES"),(h)Duty Free Import Authorisation Scheme ("DFIA");(i)Regional schemes: electricity rebates and reduced rates;(j)Gold Card Scheme, Status Holder Scheme;(k)Market Access Initiative ("MAI").3.2.Schemes originally investigated and confirmed in the last expiry review3.2.1.Duty exemption and remission schemes(26)The AAS, EPCGS and MEIS schemes are based on the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992 (No 22 of 1992) which entered into force on 7 August 1992 ("Foreign Trade Act"). The Foreign Trade Act authorises the GOI to issue notifications regarding the export and import policy. These are summarised in "Foreign Trade Policy" documents, which are normally issued by the Ministry of Commerce every five years and updated regularly.(27)The Foreign Trade Policy document relevant for the RIP is Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 ("FTP 2015-20"). The FTP 2015-20 entered into force in April 2015 and was originally set to expire on 31 March 2020. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic FTP 2015-20 was extended several times, the latest extension was until 31 March 2023. The GOI also sets out the procedures governing FTP 2015-20 in a "Handbook of Procedures, 2015-20" ("HOP 2015-20").3.2.2.Advanced Authorisation Scheme ("AAS")(28)The Commission established that HEG used AAS during the RIP.3.2.2.1.Legal basis(29)The detailed description of the scheme is contained in paragraphs 4.03 to 4.24 of the FTP 2015-20 and chapters 4.04 to 4.52 of the HOP 2015-20 and the updated HOP 2015-20.3.2.2.2.Eligibility(30)AAS consists of six sub-schemes, i.e. physical exports, annual requirement, intermediate supplies, deemed exports, advance release order, or back to back inland letter of credit. Those sub-schemes differ, inter alia, in the scope of eligibility. Manufacturer-exporters and merchant-exporters "tied to" supporting manufacturers are eligible for the AAS physical exports and for the AAS annual requirement sub-schemes. Manufacturer-exporters supplying the ultimate exporter are eligible for AAS for intermediate supplies. Main contractors which supply to the "deemed export" categories mentioned in paragraph 7.02 of the FTP 2015-20, such as suppliers of an Export Oriented Unit ("EOU"), are eligible for the AAS deemed export sub-scheme. Eventually, intermediate suppliers to manufacturer exporters are eligible for "deemed export" benefits under the sub-schemes Advance Release Order and Back to back inland letter of credit.3.2.2.3.Practical implementation(31)The AAS can be issued for:(a)Physical exports: This is the main sub-scheme. It allows for duty-free import of input materials for the production of a specific resulting export product. "Physical" in this context means that the export product has to leave Indian territory. An import allowance and export obligation including the type of export product are specified in the licence;(b)Annual requirement: Such an authorisation is not linked to a specific export product, but to a wider product group (e.g. chemical and allied products). The licence holder can – up to a certain value threshold set by its past export performance – import duty-free any input to be used in manufacturing any of the items falling under such a product group. It can choose to export any resulting product falling under the product group using such duty-exempt material;(c)Intermediate supplies: This sub-scheme covers cases where two manufacturers intend to produce a single export product and divide the production process. The manufacturer-exporter who produces the intermediate product can import duty-free input materials and can obtain for this purpose an AAS for intermediate supplies. The ultimate exporter finalises the production and is obliged to export the finished product;(d)Deemed exports: This sub-scheme allows a main contractor to import inputs free of duty which are required in manufacturing goods to be sold as "deemed exports" to the categories of customers mentioned in paragraph 8.2(b) to (f), (g), (i) and (j) of the FTP 15-20. According to the GOI, deemed exports refer to those transactions in which the goods supplied do not leave the country. A number of categories of supply is regarded as deemed exports provided the goods are manufactured in India, e.g. supply of goods to an export-oriented unit ("EOU") or to a company situated in a special economic zone ("SEZ");(e)Advance Release Order ("ARO"): The AAS holder intending to source the inputs from indigenous sources, in lieu of direct import, has the option to source them against AROs. In such cases the Advance Authorisations are validated as AROs and are endorsed to the indigenous supplier upon delivery of the items specified therein. The endorsement of the ARO entitles the indigenous supplier to the benefits of deemed exports as set out in paragraph 8.3 of the FTP 15-20 (i.e. AAS for intermediate supplies/deemed export, deemed export drawback and refund of terminal excise duty). The ARO mechanism refunds taxes and duties to the supplier instead of refunding the same to the ultimate exporter in the form of drawback/refund of duties. The refund of taxes/duties is available both for indigenous inputs as well as imported inputs;(f)Back to back inland letter of credit: This sub-scheme again covers indigenous supplies to an Advance Authorisation holder. The holder of an Advance Authorisation can approach a bank for opening an inland letter of credit in favour of an indigenous supplier. The authorisation will be validated by the bank for direct import only in respect of the value and volume of items being sourced indigenously instead of importation. The indigenous supplier will be entitled to deemed export benefits as set out in paragraph 8.3 of the FTP 15-20 (i.e. AAS for intermediate supplies/deemed export, deemed export drawback and refund of terminal excise duty).(32)It was found that HEG obtained concessions under the first sub-scheme i.e. AAS physical exports during the RIP. It is therefore not necessary to establish the countervailability of the remaining unused sub-schemes. This is the main sub-scheme. It allows for duty-free import of input materials for the production of a specific resulting export product. "Physical" in this context means that the export product has to leave Indian territory. An import allowance and export obligation including the type of export product are specified in the licence.(33)For verification purposes by the Indian authorities, an Advance Authorisation holder is legally obliged to maintain "a true and proper account of consumption and utilisation of duty-free imported/domestically procured goods" in a specified format (chapters 4.51 and Appendix 4H or 4I HOP I 15-2020Handbook of Procedures (1st April, 2015 – 31st March, 2020) Updated up to 4.8.2015: https://www.mofpi.gov.in/sites/default/files/updated_hbp_2015-2020.pdf), i.e. an actual consumption register. This register has to be verified by an external chartered accountant/cost and works accountant who issues a certificate stating that the prescribed registers and relevant records have been examined and the information furnished under Appendix 4H is true and correct in all respects.(34)With regard to the sub-scheme used during the RIP by the company concerned, i.e. physical exports, the import allowance and the export obligation are fixed in volume and value by the GOI and are documented on the Authorisation. In addition, at the time of import and of export, the corresponding transactions are to be documented by Government officials on the Authorisation. The volume of imports allowed under the AAS is determined by the GOI on the basis of Standard Input Output Norms ("SIONs") which exist for most products including the product under review.(35)Imported input materials are not transferable and have to be used to produce the resultant export product. The export obligation must be fulfilled within a prescribed time frame after issuance of the licence (18 months with two possible extensions of 6 months each).(36)The SION applicable to the product under review was established by the GOI in 1998 and was not revised or adjusted until the RIP. Therefore, the SION is insufficient to effectively monitor the actual consumption. The GOI did also not carry out further examination based on actual input. For the main raw material Needle coke (also named "calcined petroleum coke" or "CPC") the Commission found an important discrepancy between the SION and the actual raw material consumption of the company. The SION allows a ratio of 1.3 of Needle coke per exported ton, whereas the actual ratio needed for production is substantially lower.(37)The investigation therefore established that the verification requirements stipulated by the Indian authorities were not sufficient to prevent a benefit.(38)The cooperating exporting producer maintained a certain production and consumption register. It was however not possible to verify which inputs (including their origin) were consumed in the production of the exported product and in what amounts. In particular with the system put in place it was not possible to identify and measure with precision whether there was an excess remission because, the raw material is stored in silos, which contain needle coke imported duty free together with needle coke imported with duties, without any local separation. As soon as imported needle coke is stored, a specific charge of imports could thereby no longer be traced.(39)HEG confirmed that its consumption register does not allow to establish the actual consumption of duty free imported raw materials and linking it with produced and exported final products. As a result, the sub-scheme used in the present case cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system.3.2.2.4.Conclusion on the AAS(40)The exemption from import duties is a subsidy within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) and Article 3(2) of the basic Regulation, namely it constitutes a financial contribution of the GOI since it foregoes duty revenue which would otherwise be due and it confers a benefit upon the investigated exporter since it improves its liquidity.(41)In addition, AAS physical exports are contingent in law upon export performance, and therefore deemed to be specific and countervailable under Article 4(4), first subparagraph, point (a) of the basic Regulation. Without an export commitment, a company cannot obtain benefits under this scheme.(42)The sub-scheme used in the present case cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. It does not conform to the rules laid down in Annex I item (i), Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) of the basic Regulation. The GOI did not effectively apply a verification system or a procedure to confirm whether and in what amounts inputs were consumed in the production of the exported product (Annex II(4) of the basic Regulation and, in the case of substitution drawback schemes, Annex III(II)(2) of the basic Regulation). It is also considered that the SIONs for the product under review were not sufficiently precise and that, in themselves, those SIONs cannot constitute a verification system of actual consumption because the design of those standard norms does not enable the GOI to verify with sufficient precision what amounts of inputs were consumed in the export production. In addition, the GOI did not carry out a further examination based on actual inputs involved, although this would need to be carried out in the absence of an effectively applied verification system (Annex II(5) and Annex III(II)(3) to the basic Regulation). This also manifested in the fact that since its establishment in 1998 the SION has never been revised.(43)The sub-scheme is therefore countervailable.(44)Following the final disclosure, the GOI commented that there is a verification mechanism in place and the same had been duly demonstrated in the verification process.(45)The Commission rejected this argument. As explained in recital (36), the SION that determines the amount of tax free imported raw materials has never been revised since its imposition and the Commission found an important discrepancy between the SION and the actual consumption. The Commission concluded that the monitoring of the application of the SION cannot ensure that the benefits are not granted in excess, if the underlying SION, that determines the amount of tax free imported raw materials, is not sufficiently precise and this fact is not monitored. In addition, the Commission found that at HEG it was not possible to trace the imported raw materials to the finished goods.(46)Following the final disclosure, the GOI commented that it follows from Paragraph 2 of Section I under Annex II of the WTO’s SCM Agreement ("ASCM") that indirect taxes rebate schemes are countervailable only if it provides remissions over and above the import duty on inputs consumed in production of the exported product.(47)The GOI further argued that the AAS is not a countervailable program since it does not provide excess remission of import duties over the number of duties accrued on the imported inputs. This followed from Section II of Annex II of the ASCM, which provides guidelines for determining whether inputs are consumed in the production of the exported product. Further the panel report in European Union – countervailing Measures on Certain Polyethylene Terephthalated from Pakistan (WT/DS/486) stated that "the excess remission principle" provides a legal standard which determine whether the remissions of import duties obtained under the duty drawback scheme constitute a financial contribution.(48)The Commission explained in recital (36) the Commission found a substantial discrepancy between the SION and the actual consumption. As explained in Recital (38) the cooperating exporting producer maintained a certain production and consumption register. It was however not possible to verify which inputs (including their origin) were consumed in the production of the exported product and in what amounts. In particular, with the system put in place it was not possible to identify and measure with precision whether there was an excess remission. It was also found that no records kept by the companies would enable the calculation of excess remission, thereby making any future certification by an external chartered accountant/cost and works accountant impossible. The GOI has not elaborated in which aspect this lack of possibility to verify does not meet the standard of the quoted Sections of the ASCM.(49)The Commission therefore rejected this claim.3.2.2.5.Calculation of the subsidy amount(50)In the absence of permitted duty drawback systems and lack of the possibility of verification of the actual consumption rate of the relevant inputs, and since there was no reliable evidence showing otherwise, the total amount of custom duties foregone (basic custom duty and custom cess) is considered an excess remission that would constitute a countervailable subsidy in accordance with Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. The application fees paid by the company have been deducted.(51)In accordance with Article 7(2) of the basic Regulation, the Commission allocated these subsidy amounts over the total export turnover of the company during RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.(52)The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme totalled 1,66 % for HEG during the RIP.(53)Following the final disclosure, the GOI claimed that, if the Commission decides to countervail the AAS, only the amount, in excess of the duties, that has been remitted, can be countervailed. The GOI claimed that this follows from the WTO Panel Report on India-Export Related Measures [WT/DS541/R], which stated that any exemption of indirect taxes not in excess of duties levied on imported inputs consumed in production of exported product shall not be regarded as countervailable. The GOI further argues that the panel report (WT/DS/486) provided the legal standard to support this determination.(54)As explained in recital (50), in the absence of permitted duty drawback systems and lack of the possibility of verification of the actual consumption rate of the relevant inputs, and since there was no reliable evidence showing otherwise, the total amount of custom duties foregone (basic custom duty and custom cess) is considered an excess remission. The WTO Panel Report on India-Export Related Measures [WT/DS541/R] does not contain a definition that contradicts this consideration.(55)The Commission therefore rejected this claim.3.2.3.Merchandise Export from India Scheme ("MEIS")(56)The Commission established that HEG used MEIS during the RIP.3.2.3.1.Legal basis(57)The detailed description of the MEIS is contained in chapter 3 of FTP 2015-20 and updated FTP 2015-20 and in chapter 3 of the updated HOP 2015-20https://www.mofpi.gov.in/sites/default/files/updated_hbp_2015-2020.pdf.3.2.3.2.Eligibility(58)Any manufacturer-exporter or merchant-exporter is eligible for this scheme.3.2.3.3.Practical implementation(59)Eligible companies can benefit from the MEIS by exporting specific products to specific countries which are categorised into Group A ("Traditional Markets" including all EU Member States), Group B ("Emerging and Focus Markets") and Group C ("Other Markets"). The countries falling under each group and the list of products with corresponding reward rates are listed in Appendix 3B of the updated HOP 2015-20.(60)The benefit takes the form of a duty credit equivalent to a percentage of the FOB value of the export. The MEIS rate for export of GES to Group A countries during the RIP amounted to 2 %.(61)Pursuant to para 3.06 of the FTP 2015-20 certain types of exports are excluded from the scheme, e.g. exports of imported goods or transhipped goods, deemed exports, service exports and export turnover of units operating under special economic zones/export operating units.(62)The duty credits under the MEIS are freely transferable and valid for a period of 18 months from the date of issue while the duty credit scrips issued on or after 1 January 2016 shall be valid for a period of 24 months from the date of issue as per paragraph 3.13 of the updated HOP 2015-20.(63)They can be used for: (i) payment of custom duties on imports of inputs or goods including capital goods, (ii) payment of excise duties on domestic procurement of inputs or goods including capital goods and payment, (iii) payment of service tax on procurement of services.(64)An application for claiming benefits under the MEIS must be filed online on the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade website. Relevant documentation (shipping bills, bank realisation certificate and proof of landing) must be linked with the online application. The relevant Regional Authority ("RA") of the GOI issues the duty credit after scrutiny of the documents. As long as the exporter provides the relevant documentation, the RA has no discretion over the granting of the duty credits.(65)The MEIS scheme was discontinued from 1 January 2021. However, it was found that benefits were awarded to HEG under the MEIS scheme during the RIP, as the scheme allowed to retroactively claim benefits for previous periods until end of 2021.3.2.3.4.Conclusion on MEIS(66)The MEIS provides subsidies within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) and Article 3(2) of the basic Regulation. MEIS duty credit is a financial contribution by the GOI, since the credit will eventually be used to offset import duties paid on capital goods, thus decreasing the GOI’s duty revenue which would be otherwise due. In addition, MEIS duty credit confers a benefit upon the exporter who is not subject to the payment of those import duties.(67)Furthermore, the MEIS is contingent in law upon export performance, and therefore deemed to be specific and countervailable under Article 4(4), first subparagraph, point (a) of the basic Regulation.(68)This scheme cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. It does not conform to the strict rules laid down in Annex I point (i), Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) of the basic Regulation. An exporter is under no obligation to actually consume the goods imported free of duty in the production process and the amount of credit is not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. There is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production process of the exported product or whether an excess payment of import duties occurred within the meaning of point (i) of Annex I and Annexes II and III of the basic Regulation. An exporter is eligible for MEIS benefits regardless of whether it imports any inputs at all. In order to obtain the benefit, it is sufficient for an exporter to simply export goods without having to demonstrate that any input material was imported. Thus, even exporters which procure all of their inputs locally and do not import any goods which can be used as inputs are still entitled to benefit from MEIS. Moreover, an exporter can use MEIS duty credits in order to import capital goods although capital goods are not covered by the scope of permissible duty drawback systems, as set out in Annex I point (i) of the basic Regulation, because they are not consumed in the production of the exported products. Moreover, no further examination by the GOI was conducted on the basis of actual inputs and transactions in order to determining whether an excess payment occurred.(69)It is noted that the MEIS expired as of 1 January 2021To be noted that this scheme was replaced by a new scheme, the RODTEP, which is described in section 3.2.5 below.. However, until the end of 2021, the companies could still apply for the MEIS scripts for the export transactions made in 2020. Furthermore, the companies are still able to use the MEIS script obtained in 2021 to balance import duties due, until 15 September 2023. Thus, benefits under this scheme were received during the RIP and will continue even after the end of the investigation.(70)Following the final disclosure, the GOI commented that MEIS is not a countervailable program since it is merely intended to refund indirect taxes paid on inputs consumed in the production of exported goods. Further, the value of the duty credit scripts (that are awarded as benefits under the MEIS) is not in excess of indirect taxes incurred by the exporter. Thus, the MEIS program is in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (g) and (h) of Annex I read with Footnote 1 of the WTO’s ASCM.(71)Contrary to what the GOI argues, MEIS provides an excess remission of duties. As demonstrated in recital (68) an exporter is under no obligation to actually consume the goods imported free of duty in the production process and the amount of credit is not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. There is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production process of the exported product. The mere intention to refund indirect taxes paid on inputs consumed does not replace the need for a monitoring, if these are actually consumed.(72)The GOI further commented that MEIS has been terminated by the GOI with effect from 1 January 2021 and the extension of the duty would result in countervailing a program under which no assistance would be conferred to any exporter. The GOI pointed to the fact that in previous investigations the Commission has refrained from countervailing schemes which have been revoked by the GOI.(73)In recital (69) the Commission demonstrated that despite the termination of the scheme, HEG received benefits during the RIP, following the termination of the scheme. The Commission also demonstrated that these benefits continue even after the end of the investigation. None of those facts were disputed by the GOI.(74)The Commission therefore rejected this claim.3.2.3.5.Calculation of the subsidy amount(75)In accordance with Article 3(2) and Article 5 of the basic Regulation, the Commission calculated the amount of countervailable subsidies in terms of the benefit conferred on the recipient, which was found to exist during the RIP. In this regard, the Commission established that the benefit is conferred on the recipient at the time when the company receives the benefit under this scheme, following the company’s application. At this moment, the GOI issues a duty credit which is booked by the exporting producer as an account receivable which can be offset by the exporting producer at any moment. This constitutes a financial contribution within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. Once the customs authorities issue an export shipping bill, the GOI has no discretion as to whether or not to grant the subsidy. In the light of the above, and since there was no reliable evidence showing otherwise, the Commission considered appropriate to assess the benefit under the MEIS as being the sum of the amounts received under this scheme during the RIP. The Commission took into account MEIS amounts earned on all the export transactions of HEG, as the company exports only product under review.(76)In accordance with Article 7(1)(a) of the basic Regulation, fees incurred by the company to obtain the subsidy were deducted from the total subsidy amount where claimed.(77)In accordance with Article 7(2) and (3) of the basic Regulation, the Commission allocated this subsidy amount over the export turnover of HEG during the RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance, and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.(78)The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme totalled 0,87 % for HEG during the RIP.3.2.4.Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme ("EPCGS")(79)Like in the original investigation and the last review, the Commission established that HEG received concessions under the EPCGS which could be allocated to the product under review originating in India during the RIP.3.2.4.1.Legal basis(80)The detailed description of the EPCGS is contained in chapter 5 of the FTP 2015-20 as well as in chapter 5 of HOP 2015-20.3.2.4.2.Eligibility(81)Manufacturer-exporters, merchant-exporters "tied to" supporting manufacturers and service providers are eligible for this scheme.3.2.4.3.Practical implementation(82)Under the condition of an export obligation, a company is allowed to import capital goods (new and second- hand capital goods up to 10 years old) at a reduced duty rate. To this end, the GOI issues, upon application and payment of a fee, an EPCGS licence. The scheme provides for a reduced import duty rate applicable to all capital goods imported under the scheme. In order to meet the export obligation, the imported capital goods must be used to produce a certain amount of goods deemed for export during a certain period. Under the FTP 2015-20 and updated FTP 2015-20 the capital goods can be imported with a 0 % duty rate under the EPCGS. The export obligation, which amounts to six times the duty saved, must be fulfilled within a period of maximum six years.(83)The EPCGS licence holder can also source the capital goods indigenously. In such case, the indigenous manufacturer of capital goods may avail itself of the benefit for duty free import of components required to manufacture such capital goods. Alternatively, the indigenous manufacturer can claim the benefit of deemed export in respect of supply of capital goods to an EPCGS licence holder.3.2.4.4.Conclusion on the EPCGS(84)The EPCGS provides subsidies within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) and Article 3(2) of the basic Regulation. The duty reduction constitutes a financial contribution by the GOI, since this concession decreases the GOI’s duty revenue which would be otherwise due. In addition, the duty reduction confers a benefit upon the exporter, because the duties saved upon importation improve the company’s liquidity.(85)Furthermore, the EPCGS is contingent in law upon export performance, since such licences cannot be obtained without a commitment to export. Therefore, it is deemed to be specific and countervailable under Article 4(4), first subparagraph, point (a) of the basic Regulation.(86)The EPCGS cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. Capital goods are not covered by the scope of such permissible systems, as set out in Annex I point (I), of the basic Regulation, because they are not consumed in the production of the exported products.3.2.4.5.Calculation of the subsidy amount(87)The amount of countervailable subsidies was calculated, in accordance with Article 7(3) of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the unpaid customs duty on imported capital goods spread across a period which reflects the normal depreciation period of such capital goods in the industry concerned. The amount so calculated, which is attributable to the RIP, has been adjusted by adding interest during this period in order to reflect the full-time value of the money. The commercial interest rate during the investigation period in India was considered appropriate for this purpose.(88)In accordance with Article 7(1)(a) of the basic Regulation, fees incurred by HEG to obtain the subsidy were deducted from the total subsidy amount where claimed.(89)In accordance with Article 7(2) and 7(3) of the basic Regulation, this subsidy amount has been allocated over the export turnover of the product under review during the RIP as the appropriate denominator as the company used machines purchased under the EPCGS only for the production of the product under review, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance and was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.(90)The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme totalled 0,31 % for HEG during the RIP.3.2.5.Direct transfer of funds(91)The Commission analysed a direct transfer of funds within the DDS scheme. The DDS scheme is based on section 75 of the Customs Act of 1962, on section 37 of the Central Excise Act of 1944, on sections 93A and 94 of the Financial Act of 1994, and on the Customs, Central Excise Duties and Service Tax Drawback Rules of 1995. The drawback rates are published on a regular basis.3.2.6.Duty Drawback Scheme ("DDS")(92)The Commission established that HEG used the DDS during the RIP.3.2.6.1.Legal Basis(93)The legal basis applicable during the RIP was the Custom & Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules 1995 ("the 1995 DDS Rules"), as amended in 2006http://www.cbic.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/customs/cs-act/formatted-htmls/cs-rulee and then replaced by Customs and Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules, 2017Notification No 88/2017-CUSTOMS (N.T.) New Delhi, the 21st September, 2017. http://www.cbic.gov.in/resources//htdocs-cbec/customs/cs-act/notifications/notfns-2017/cs-nt2017/csnt88-2017.pdf ("the 2017 Rules") which entered into force on 1 October 2017. Rule 3(2) of the 1995 DDS Rules governs the method of calculation of this duty drawback scheme. Rule 12(1)(a)(ii) of the said DDS Rules governs the Declaration that the exporting producers need to file in order to benefit from the scheme. These Rules have remained identical in the 2017 DDS Rules and correspond to Rule 3(2) and Rule 13(1)(a)(ii) respectively.(94)In addition, Circular No 24/2001Cus. 20th April, 2001F.NO.605/47/2001-DBK, Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Declaration under Rule 12(1)(a)(ii) of Drawback Rule for availing AIR of Drawback. See in particular Sections 2 and 3 of the Declaration under Rule 12(1)(a)(ii) of Drawback Rule for availing AIR of Drawback; available at: http://www.cbic.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/customs/cs- circulars/cscirculars-2001/24-2001-cus contains specific instructions how to implement the Rule 3(2) and the Declaration that exporters need to produce under the Rule 12(1)(a)(ii).(95)The Rule 4 of the 1995 DDS Rules stipulates that the Central Government may revise amount or rates determined under the rule 3. The Government has made a number of modifications, the last ones revising the rates being Notification No 95/2018 – CUSTOMS and Notification No 07/2020 – CUSTOMS. As a result, for the product under review, the DDS rate was 1,6 % of the FOB value of the exported products. The same DDS rate is applied to GES exported by HEG.3.2.6.2.Eligibility(96)Any manufacturer-exporter or merchant-exporter is eligible for this scheme.3.2.6.3.Practical implementation(97)Under this scheme, any company exporting eligible products is entitled to receive an amount corresponding to a percentage of the declared FOB value of the exported product. According to Rule 3(2) of Custom & Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules, the GOI bases the refundable amount on industry-wide average values of relevant customs duties paid on imported raw materials and an average industry consumption ratio collected from what the GOI considers as being representative manufacturers of the eligible export products. The GOI then expresses the amount to be refunded as a percentage of the average export value of the eligible exported products.(98)In order to be eligible to benefit from this scheme, a company must export. At the moment when shipment details are entered in the Customs server (ICEGATE), it is indicated that the export is taking place under the DDS and the DDS amount is fixed irrevocably. After the shipping company has filed the Export General Manifest and the customs office has satisfactorily compared that document with the shipping bill data, all conditions are fulfilled to authorise the payment of the drawback amount by either direct payment on the exporter’s bank account or by draft.(99)The exporter also has to produce evidence of realisation of export proceeds by means of a Bank Realisation Certificate ("BRC"). This document can be provided after the drawback amount has been paid but the GOI will recover the paid amount if the exporter fails to submit the BRC within a given deadline.(100)The drawback amount can be used for any purpose and, in accordance with Indian accounting standards, the amount can be booked on an accrual basis as income in the commercial accounts, upon fulfilment of the export obligation.(101)The relevant legislation and administrative instructions stipulate that the Indian customs administration should require no evidence that the exporter requesting the duty drawback must have incurred or will incur a customs duty liability for imports of the raw materials needed for the manufacture of the exported product. In addition, during the verification visit, the GOI confirmed that companies that would source domestically all the raw materials would still benefit from the full rate calculated under Rule 3(2) mentioned above HEG exercised DDS with the All Industry Rate, where no proof of actually paid duties is necessary.3.2.6.4.Conclusion on the DDS(102)The DDS provides subsidies within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(i) and Article 3(2) of the basic Regulation. The so-called duty drawback amount is a financial contribution by the GOI as it takes form of a direct transfer of funds by the GOI. There are no restrictions as to the use of these funds. In addition, the duty drawback amount confers a benefit upon the exporter, because it improves its liquidity.(103)The rate of duty drawback for exports is determined by the GOI on a product-by-product basis. However, although the subsidy is referred to as a duty drawback, the scheme does not have all the characteristics of a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation; nor does the scheme conform to the rules laid down in Annex I item (I), Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) of the basic Regulation. The cash payment to the exporter is not necessarily linked to actual payments of import duties on raw materials and is not a duty credit to offset import duties on past or future imports of raw materials. In addition, there is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production of the exported products and in what amounts. In addition, the GOI did not carry out a further examination based on actual inputs involved, although this would need to be carried out in the absence of an effectively applied verification system (Annex II(5) and Annex III(II)(3) to the basic Regulation). No evidence was provided of the existence of a link between the drawback rates and duties paid on raw materials.(104)Consequently, the payment which takes form of a direct transfer of funds by the GOI subsequent to exports made by exporters is contingent upon export performance and therefore this scheme is deemed to be specific and countervailable under Article 4(4)(a) of the basic Regulation.(105)In view of the above, it is concluded that the DDS is countervailable.(106)Following the final disclosure, the GOI claimed that the DDS is not countervailable since it is intended to implement the principle that taxes should not be exported. The said schemes is in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Section I under Annex II of the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("SCM Agreement"). The drawback of indirect taxes or import charges is not in excess of the amount of such taxes or charges actually levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product. DDS is merely a program, which reimburses taxes paid on the importation of inputs used in the production of goods exported. The return of values would be calculated from a percentage of the FOB value exported, variable according to the exported goods.(107)The GOI also argued that its databases are used for appropriate cross-checks. A Committee also visits manufacturer exporter units for first-hand knowledge of the manufacturing process and observes the nature of inputs ordinarily used and the amount of wastage. The Committee also takes into account the industry experience and broad technical factors, as appropriate. The refund is the average amount of duty paid on materials of any particular class or description of goods used in the manufacture of export goods of specified goods.(108)The Commission, however, did not consider that the alleged link between the drawback rates and the duties paid on raw materials is sufficient in order for the scheme to conform to the rules laid down in Annex I item (I), Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) of the basic Regulation. In particular, the amount of credit was not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. Moreover, there was no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs (including their amounts and origin) were consumed in the production process of the exported product or whether an excess payment of import duties occurred within the meaning of item (I) of Annex I, and Annexes II and III of the basic Regulation. Moreover, no further examination by the GOI was conducted on the basis of actual inputs and transactions in order to determine whether an excess payment occurred.(109)The Commission therefore rejected this claim.3.2.6.5.Calculation of the subsidy amount(110)In accordance with Article 3(2) and Article 5 of the basic Regulation, the Commission established that the benefit is conferred on the recipient at the time when an export transaction is made under this scheme. At this moment, the GOI is liable to the payment of the drawback amount, which constitutes a financial contribution within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(I) of the basic Regulation. Once the customs authorities issue an export shipping bill which shows, inter alia, the amount of drawback which is to be granted for that export transaction, the GOI has no discretion as to whether or not to grant the subsidy.(111)In the light of the above, and since there is no reliable evidence showing otherwise, the Commission considered appropriate to assess the benefit under the DDS as being the sum of the drawback amounts earned on export transactions made under this scheme during the RIP. The Commission took into account duty drawback amounts earned on all the export transactions of HEG as the company exports only the product under review.(112)In accordance with Article 7(2) of the basic Regulation, the Commission allocated these subsidy amounts over the total export turnover of the company during RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.(113)The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme totalled 1,27 % for HEG during the RIP.(114)Following the final disclosure, the GOI argued that, if there is any excess drawback, only the excess drawback can be countervailed. The GOI argued this would be supported by the Panel Report, European Union -Countervailing Measures on Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate from Pakistan, WT/DS486/R. From this Panel report the GOI quoted a section that contains the statement: "Consistent with this observation, Annex III (II) provides guidance for investigating authorities that are designed to allow investigating authorities to identify excess remissions."(115)The Panel Report does not contain findings that would contradict the Commission’s conclusion on how to define the excess benefit in this case. As described in recital (111), since there was no evidence of an actual verification process showing otherwise, but only general descriptions of how the Committee works and establishes the DDS ratio, the Commission considered appropriate to assess the benefit under the DDS as being the sum of the drawback amounts earned on export transactions made under this scheme during the RIP.(116)The Commission therefore rejected the claim.3.3.Additional schemes used to determine the continuation of subsidisation3.3.1.Duty exemption and remission schemes(117)Similar to MEIS, also the RODTEP scheme is based on the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992 (No 22 of 1992) which entered into force on 7 August 1992 ("Foreign Trade Act"). RODTEP was designed as a successor of the MEIS scheme, but due to differences between these schemes on how the benefits are awarded, there is an overlap in the period in which the two schemes were applied.3.3.2.Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products ("RODTEP")(118)The Commission established that HEG used RODTEP during the RIP.3.3.2.1.Legal basis(119)The detailed description of RODTEP is contained in chapter 4 of FTP 2015-20 and updated FTP 2015-20 and in chapter 4 of updated HOP 2015-20. It can also be found in the Notification introducing RODTEP into the FTP 2015-20https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/dgftprod/8c25b521-147e-40e4-afa4-416eafdf3df6/RoDTEP%20Scheme%20Guidelines%20Notification%2019%20dated%2017%20Aug%202021.pdf.3.3.2.2.Eligibility(120)Any manufacturer-exporter or merchant-exporter is eligible for this scheme.3.3.2.3.Practical implementation(121)Eligible companies can benefit from RODTEP by exporting products, which are not excluded according to the list of section 4.55 of FTP 2015-20 as Ineligible Supplies/Items/Categories under the Scheme. GES was not excluded according to this list.(122)Under the Scheme a rebate is granted at a notified percentage of FOB value with a value cap per unit of the exported product. The Scheme is implemented by issuance of rebate amount in form of a transferable duty credit/electronic script (e-scrip), which is maintained in an electronic ledger by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC).(123)The e-scripts can be used for payment of custom duties on imports of inputs or goods including capital goods under the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 viz. Basic Customs Duty.3.3.2.4.Conclusion on RODTEP(124)RODTEP provides subsidies within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) and Article 3(2) of the basic Regulation. RODTEP duty credit is a financial contribution by the GOI, since the credit will eventually be used to offset import duties paid on capital goods, thus decreasing the GOI’s duty revenue which would be otherwise due. In addition, RODTEP duty credit confers a benefit upon the exporter who is not subject to the payment of those import duties.(125)Furthermore, RODTEP is contingent in law upon export performance, and therefore deemed to be specific and countervailable under Article 4(4), first subparagraph, point (a) of the basic Regulation.(126)This scheme cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. It does not conform to the strict rules laid down in Annex I point (i), Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) of the basic Regulation. An exporter is under no obligation to actually consume any goods imported free of duty in the production process and the amount of credit is not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. There is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production process of the exported product or whether an excess payment of import duties occurred within the meaning of point (i) of Annex I and Annexes II and III of the basic Regulation. Moreover, no further examination by the GOI was conducted on the basis of actual inputs and transactions in order to determining whether an excess payment occurred.(127)Following the final disclosure, the GOI argued that an expiry review is limited to the extension of the duty that is already in force. Therefore, new subsidy schemes such as RODTEP must remain outside the scope of the present review.(128)The fact that an expiry review is limited to the extension of a duty already in force, does not limit the Commission in only investigating subsidy schemes that existed in the investigation period of the original investigation. For the purpose of determining, whether a subsidisation above the de minimis level continued during the RIP, the Commission took into account RODTEP since it was included in the review request and it was a follow-up scheme to MEIS.(129)The GOI further claimed, that the RODTEP is not countervailable since it is intended to implement the principle that taxes should not be exported. The said schemes is in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Section I under Annex II of the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("SCM Agreement"). The drawback of indirect taxes or import charges is not in excess of the amount of such taxes or charges actually levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product. DDS is merely a program, which reimburse taxes paid on the importation of inputs used in the production of goods exported. The reimbursed values would be calculated from a percentage of the FOB value exported, variable according to the exported goods.(130)The GOI databases are used for appropriate cross-checks. A Committee also visits manufacturer exporter units for first-hand knowledge of the manufacturing process and observe the nature of inputs ordinarily used and the amount of wastage. The Committee also takes into account the industry experience and broad technical factors, as appropriate. The refund is of the average amount of duty paid on materials of any particular class or description of goods used in the manufacture of export goods of specified goods.(131)Contrary to what the GOI argued, the RODTEP is not merely a program, which reimbursed taxes paid on the importation of inputs used in the production of goods exported. As described in recital (126), an exporter is under no obligation to actually consume any goods imported free of duty in the production process and the amount of credit is not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. There is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production process of the exported product or whether an excess payment of import duties occurred within the meaning of point (i) of Annex I and Annexes II and III of the basic Regulation. Therefore, the details that the GOI described on how the rate for the RODTEP scheme is determined by the Committee and cross-checks with its data banks are not relevant as this does not prevent the excess benefit.(132)The Commission therefore rejected the claim.3.3.2.5.Calculation of the subsidy amount(133)In accordance with Article 3(2) and Article 5 of the basic Regulation, the Commission calculated the amount of countervailable subsidies in terms of the benefit conferred on the recipient, which was found to exist during the RIP. In this regard, the Commission established that the benefit is conferred on the recipient at the time when the company receives the benefit under this scheme. At that moment, the GOI issued a duty credit which was booked by HEG as an account receivable which can be offset by HEG at any moment. This constitutes a financial contribution within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(ii) of the basic Regulation. Once the customs authorities issue an export shipping bill, the GOI has no discretion as to whether or not to grant the subsidy. In the light of the above, and since there was no reliable evidence showing otherwise, the Commission considered appropriate to assess the benefit under the RODTEP as being the sum of the amounts earned on export transactions made under this scheme during the RIP by the cooperating exporting producer HEG. The Commission took into account RODTEP amounts earned on all the export transactions of HEG, as the company exports only product under review.(134)In accordance with Article 7(1)(a) of the basic Regulation, fees incurred by the coopering exporting producer HEG to obtain the subsidy were deducted from the total subsidy amount where claimed.(135)In accordance with Article 7(2) and (3) of the basic Regulation, the Commission allocated this subsidy amount over the export turnover of HEG during the RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance, and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.(136)The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme amounted to 0,59 % for HEG during the RIP.(137)Following the final disclosure, the GOI argued that, if there is any excess drawback, only the excess drawback can be countervailed. The GOI argued this would be supported by the Panel Report, European Union -Countervailing Measures on Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate from Pakistan, WT/DS486/R. From this Panel report the GOI quoted a section that contains the statement: "Consistent with this observation, Annex III (II) provides guidance for investigating authorities that are designed to allow investigating authorities to identify excess remissions."(138)The Panel Report does not contain conclusions that prevent the Commission from its conclusion on how to define the excess benefit. As described in recital (133), since there is no evidence an actual verification process showing otherwise, but only general descriptions of how the Committee works and establishes the RODTEP ratio, the Commission considered appropriate to assess the benefit under the RODTEP as being the sum of the drawback amounts earned on export transactions made under this scheme during the RIP.(139)The Commission therefore rejected the claim.3.3.3.Preferential financing: Interest Equalization scheme ("IES")(140)The Commission established that HEG received benefits under the IES which could be allocated to the product under review during the RIP.3.3.3.1.Legal basis(141)The Reserve bank of India ("RBI") announced the "Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit" in Master Circular DBR.Dir.BC.No 62/04.02.001/2015-16 dated 4 December 2015. The IES was originally set to expire in September 2021. However, in March 2022, RBI notified the banks about the retroactive extension of the scheme until 2024, but at the lower rate of 2 %.3.3.3.2.Eligibility(142)The IES is available to exports of a wide range of products, including GES, irrespective of the size of the exporting producer and to any export for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.3.3.3.3.Practical implementation(143)The IES is a scheme administered by the DGFT. It originally provided a 3-5 % interest offset for loans availed in respect of exports under 416 tariff lines as per Annexure A and exports made by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all ITC(HS) codes.(144)The Master Circular dated 4 December 2015 stipulated that from the month of December 2015 onwards, banks shall reduce the interest rate charged to the eligible exporters as per the guidelines on interest rates on advances by the rate of interest equalisation provided by Government of India. The local banks received compensation from the Reserve Bank of India so that the lower interests are provided to the eligible companies. The interest equalisation benefit is available from the date of disbursement up to the date of repayment or up to the date beyond which the outstanding export credit becomes overdue. However, the interest equalisation is available to the eligible exporters only during the period the scheme is in force.(145)When in March 2022, RBI notified the banks about the retroactive extension of the scheme until 2024 at the lower rate of 2 %, it also allowed the private banks to retroactively reimburse to the eligible exporting producers the respective offset amount for the period between October 2021 and March 2022.3.3.3.4.Conclusion on the IES(146)The IES provides subsidies within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a)(iv) and Article 3(2) of the basic Regulation. Private banks are directly by law to provide interest offsets to eligible companies.(147)Furthermore, the IES is contingent in law upon export performance, since such loan interest offset cannot be obtained without a commitment to export. Therefore, it is deemed to be specific and countervailable under Article 4(4), first subparagraph, point (a) of the basic Regulation.3.3.3.5.Calculation of the subsidy amount(148)According to Article 6(b) of the basic Regulation, the benefit conferred on the recipient is the difference between the amount of interest that the company pays on the preferential loan and the amount that the company would pay for a comparable commercial loan obtainable on the Indian financial market (namely, the interest offset provided by the law). The amount of countervailable subsidies was therefore considered to be equal to the amount of interest relating to the RIP offset by the RBI and thus saved by HEG. This also includes the amounts that were retroactively reimbursed by the banks with respect to the RIP, due to the retroactive prolongation of the scheme in March 2022.(149)In accordance with Article 7(2) of the basic Regulation, the Commission allocated this subsidy amount over the export turnover of HEG during the RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance, and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.(150)The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme amounted to 0,71 % for HEG during the RIP.3.4.Other additional schemes3.4.1.National schemes(151)Duty Free Import Authorisation Scheme ("DFIA") is a duty exemption scheme for imports that are incorporated in exports, regulated under Chapter 4 of the FTP 2015-20. The scheme continued under the updated FTP 2015-20. For exports that benefit from AAS, a company cannot claim benefits under DFIA at the same time. No benefit for HEG has been found during the RIP.(152)Pursuant to Article 8.1.3 of the Master Circular, creditworthy exporters with good track record are granted an easy access to export credit on best terms through the Gold Card Scheme. The Commission has not found specific benefits for HEG during the RIP that could be linked to the Gold Card Scheme.(153)The Status Holder scheme grants benefits to business leaders who have excelled in international trade and have successfully contributed to country’s foreign trade. All exporters with an import-export code number are eligible for the scheme provided that they achieve a defined threshold of export performance levels in the current and previous three financial years. The Commission has not found specific benefits for HEG during the RIP that could be linked to the Status Holder scheme.(154)During the RIP, HEG availed itself of Pre-shipment and Post-shipment Export Financing. However, apart from the interest rebate under the Interest Equalization Scheme already discussed in section 3.3 above, the Commission has not found specific benefits for HEG linked to pre-and post-shipment export financing.(155)The Market Access Initiative ("MAI") is a general export promotion scheme, which however only targets implementing agencies to promote exports and facilitate Market Access. It involves no direct interaction with the exporting Producers but with the Export Promotion Council under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce. Exporting producers can indirectly benefit from reimbursement of costs for activities linked to export promotion. However, no benefit for HEG has been found during the RIP.3.4.2.Regional schemes(156)There was no cooperation in this investigation from exporters with production in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Therefore, the Commission would need to base its conclusions on facts available.(157)Following the final disclosure, the GOI commented that the Commission countervailed programs from Karnataka and Maharashtra and submitted that there are no producers of the product under review in Maharashtra.(158)Contrary to the understanding of the GOI, for the purpose of this investigation the Commission did not make any findings on regional schemes in Karnataka and Maharashtra.(159)During the last expiry review, HEG benefited from an exemption of electricity duty provided by the State of Madhya Pradesh to industrial companies investing in electricity generation for captive consumption. HEG’s eligibility to benefit from this scheme expired as of 2016.(160)Regarding purchased electricity, the complaint mentioned a rebate of 2 RS as a possible benefit under regional schemes. Electricity invoices reviewed at the company showed differences with regular industrial electricity tariff, including a rebate mentioned in the invoices. As a result, the Commission collected documents from the company and the GOI related to the energy tariffs applicable to HEG in Madhya Pradesh.(161)The documents and other information available showed that the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission was constituted by Government of Madhya Pradesh via Gazette Notification dated 20th August, 1998. The Electricity Act 2003 (No 36 of 2003) enacted by the regional parliament has come into force w.e.f. 10 June 2003 and the Commission is now deemed to have been constituted and functioning under the provisions of Electricity Act 2003. Section 86 of the Electricity Act, 2003 prescribed the functions of that State Commission include:"(a)determine the tariff for generation, supply, transmission and wheeling of electricity, wholesale, bulk or retail, as the case may be, within the State:Provided that where open access has been permitted to a category of consumers under section 42, the State Commission shall determine only the wheeling charges and surcharge thereon, if any, for the said category of consumers;(b)regulate electricity purchase and procurement process of distribution licensees including the price at which electricity shall be procured from the generating companies or licensees or from other sources through agreements for purchase of power for distribution and supply within the State;"(162)In its Retail Supply Tariff Orders, the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission established a rebate for industrial consumers with captive power plants. The rebate was created initially for a period of 5 years starting from the financial year 2016/2017, but it was prolonged to be applicable up to the financial year 2022/2023. During the RIP, the Retail Supply Tariff Order FY 2020-21 indicated that a rebate of Rs 2 per unit shall be applicable on the regular price of incremental electricity units purchased by the consumer from the grid, subject to a reduction in its consumption of power captively generated.(163)In addition, the Retail Supply Tariff Orders further indicate a special Tariff for a specific category of industrial users, called "Power Intensive industries", which is below the regular rate for industrial users (the "reduced electricity rate").(164)The captive power plant rebate is available to companies located in the State of Madhya Pradesh who have fully or partially met their energy demand in one financial year between 2016 and 2020 through captive power plants and are now selling their own energy to the grid and subsequently repurchasing their energy demand via the grid.(165)The reduced electricity rates for power intensive industries is available only to companies located in the State of Madhya Pradesh who are active as Mini Steel Plants ("MSP"), MSP with rolling mills/sponge iron plants in the same premises, electro chemical/electro thermal industry, or ferro alloy industry.(166)Rebates and reduced electricity rates are set by the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission in its yearly Retail Supply Tariff Order. The fully government-owned grid operator, Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Co. Ltd (one of the four publicly owned providers of electricity in the State), then applies these orders in its respective energy bills. Apart from captive power plants, there are no private actors operating on the electricity market in Madhya Pradesh.(167)Due to the findings on the schemes described in sections 3.2 and 3.3, which already confirm continuation of subsidisation at a level well above the de minimis threshold, the Commission concluded that in the context of this expiry review it was not necessary to further analyse the two schemes (electricity rebate and reduced electricity rate for certain industrial sectors) to make a determination on the continuation of subsidisation, which was already established.(168)However, on basis of the documents collected, and in view of the fact that the application of both the electricity rebate and the reduced electricity rate lead to a reduction of the price by 50 % in comparison with the regular electricity rate for large industrial users in the State of Madhya Pradesh, it cannot be excluded that the cooperating exporting producer received a significant benefit under these schemes.(169)Following the final disclosure, the GOI commented that that an investigation into this scheme was not covered neither in the Notice of Initiation, nor in the consultations with the GOI as required under the ASCM.(170)In line with recitals (159) and (160) the Commission considered that the scheme was covered by the review request and possibly constituted a continuation of the previous electricity scheme. However, the Commission also confirmed its position described in recital (168) that for the purpose of this expiry review it is not necessary to fully analyse the two schemes. Therefore, no determination of subsidisation was made concerning these schemes.3.5.Amount of countervailable subsidies(171)The amounts of countervailable subsidies in accordance with the provisions of the basic Regulation, expressed ad valorem, for the cooperating exporting producer were as follows:
SchemesDDSAASMEISRODTEPEPCGSIESTotal
HEG1,27 %1,66 %0,87 %0,59 %0,31 %0,71 %5,41 %
(172)The total amount of subsidisation exceeds the de minimis threshold mentioned in Article 14(5) of the basic Regulation.3.6.Conclusions on the likelihood of a continuation of subsidisation(173)It was established that the cooperating exporting producer continued to benefit from countervailable subsidisation by the Indian authorities during the RIP. It was established that subsidisation continued at country-level as well, since most schemes are available nation-wide to exporters of GES.(174)The countervailable subsidy schemes give recurring benefits and there is no indication that these schemes will be phased out in the foreseeable future or that HEG would stop obtaining benefits under these schemes. To the contrary, the national tax-related schemes were renewed during the RIP as part of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 which will remain in force until March 2023. In addition, it is reminded that the application of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 was prolonged multiple times, which indicates that the follow-up Foreign Trade Policy is likely to continue the subsidisation. Moreover, each exporter is eligible to several of the subsidy schemes. The only exception concerns MEIS, which has expired in January 2021. However, this scheme has been replaced by a similar scheme, the RODTEP, for which the company accrued benefits, as highlighted in section 3.2.5 above.(175)Similarly, the Commission found that the preferential financing under the IES scheme has been extended until 2024 at least.(176)The investigation also showed that during the RIP Indian imports continued to enter the Union market and maintained their quantities and market shares as in the last two review investigations. Furthermore, the analysis of production volume and spare capacity in India, export volumes and prices from India to the other third country markets, existing measures in the other third countries, and attractiveness of the Union market provided in recitals (250) to (270) also shows that it is likely that the subsidised exports would further increase their already substantial presence in the Union market should the current measures be allowed to lapse.(177)In view of the above, in accordance with Article 18(3) of the basic Regulation, the Commission concluded that there was a likelihood of continuation of subsidisation should the measures in force be allowed to lapse.4.INJURY4.1.Definition of the Union industry and Union production(178)The like product was manufactured by seven producers in the Union during the review investigation period. They constitute the "Union industry" within the meaning of Article 4(1) of the basic Regulation.(179)The total Union production during the review investigation period was established at 219330 tonnes. The Commission established the figure on the basis of the verified questionnaire replies of the sampled Union producers and the data provided by the non-sampled producers and the applicantsThe production volume is based on EU-27 data as the United Kingdom ceased to be part of the European Union as from 1 February 2020 and the transition period for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal ended on 31 December 2020.. As indicated in recital (15) the three sampled Union producers represented more than 61 % of the total Union production of the like product.4.2.Union consumption(180)The Commission established Union consumption on the basis of the sales volumes of the Union industry’s own production destined for the Union market and the import volumes obtained from Eurostat statistics.(181)On this basis, Union consumption developed as follows:
Table 1Union consumption (tonnes)Source:Eurostat, information provided by the sampled and non-sampled Union producers, information provided by the applicants.The consumption is based on EU-27 data, excluding data related to the United Kingdom.
201820192020Review investigation period
Total Union consumption15261212016999873137279
Index100796590
(182)The Union consumption of GES decreased by 10 % over the period considered. The year 2018 showed a high consumption driven by high demand of the EU steel industry, which was in the process of recovering from the steel crisis. In addition, in a situation of a sudden GES price increase, steelmakers were building up stocks of GES in the expectation of an additional increase.(183)In 2019, the production of steel from electric arc furnaces decreased, as compared to 2018 (by 6,6 % according to Eurofer figures). Consequently, the demand for GES dropped. As the price of GES went down significantly, building up stocks was no longer considered necessary for the downstream industry as users were not anymore concerned by a further price increase. As a consequence, steel producers started destocking their GES inventories. Moreover, demand dropped further – but this time on a temporary basis in 2020, following the COVID-19 outbreak.4.3.Imports from India4.3.1.Volume and market share of the imports from India(184)As mentioned in recital (180), the Commission established the volume of imports from India on the basis of Eurostat statistics. The market share was established based on of the Union consumption as set out in recital (181).(185)Imports from India developed as follows:
Table 2Import volume (tonnes) and market shareSource:Eurostat and 14.6 database.
201820192020Review investigation period
Volume of imports from India (tonnes)5802336921546540
Index1005837113
Market share (%)4325
Index1007457125
(186)Imports of the product under review from the country concerned had decreased in 2019 and 2020, following the decrease of EU consumption, and recovered during the review investigation period. Overall, during the period considered the volume of imports increased from 5802 tonnes in 2018 to 6540 tonnes in the review investigation period, i.e. by 13 %. Imports of GES from India represented around 16 % of total GES imports to the Union during the review investigation period corresponding to a market share of 5 %.(187)Overall, the imports from India and their market share increased over the period considered. Despite the Union consumption decrease, the volume of dumped and subsidised imports from India kept increasing during the period considered (by 13 %), whereas the Union industry’s sales decreased.4.3.2.Prices of the imports from India and price undercutting(188)The average price of imports from India developed as follows:
Table 3Import prices (EUR/tonne)Source:Eurostat.
201820192020Review investigation period
Import prices from India137561021141202747
Index100743020
(189)The average import priceImport price without the customs and AD/AS duties. Source: Eurostat. of GES from India went down by 80 % throughout the period considered, from 13756 EUR/tonne in 2018 to 2747 EUR/tonne in the review investigation period.(190)Due to the high global demand for GES, the Indian prices surpassed the Union industry prices in the first half of the period considered, but then dropped by 60 % between 2018 and 2020 and remained consistently lower than the Union prices in 2020 and in the review investigation period.(191)The Commission determined the price undercutting in the review investigation period by comparing:(a)the weighted average sales price of the Union producers charged to unrelated customers on the Union market, adjusted to an ex-works level; and(b)the corresponding weighted average import prices of the product under review from India from the cooperating Indian exporting producer, established on a CIF basis, excluding the anti-dumping and countervailing duties, with appropriate adjustments for customs duties and post-importation costs. In the absence of any other information, these costs were estimated at 1 % of the CIF value.(192)This resulted in the average undercutting margin of 41,1 %.(193)After disclosure the Government of India (GOI), argued that the undercutting margin calculated by the Commission is not representative as it is not based on actual market prices in the Union. In GOI’s view the fact that sales sourced from GrafTech Iberica were made pursuant to long-term contracts ("LTAs") have resulted in an artificially high selling price which is not indicative of the market price of GES in the Union.(194)The Commission disagrees with this assessment. LTAs are not an uncommon commercial practice and a business decision in which a customer accepts to tie itself to a particular price level in exchange for a security of supply. Considering that LTAs were being used in dealings on the relevant market their presence in the sample does not render the sample not representative. Moreover, only part of the sales made by GrafTech were covered by LTAs while the sales of the other two sampled Union producers in the review investigation period were not covered by similar LTAs. Therefore, in the Commission’s view, whilst representative of a part of the market, overall the LTAs used by GrafTech Iberica did not significantly affected the undercutting calculation. Therefore, this claim was dismissed.4.3.3.Imports from third countries other than India(195)The imports of the product under review from other third countries were mainly from China, Mexico and Russia.(196)The volume of imports from other third countries, as well as the market share and price trends developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 4Imports from third countries other than IndiaSource:Eurostat.
Country201820192020Review investigation period
PRCVolume (tonnes)22054192842007426065
Index1008791118
Market share (%)14162019
Index100111139131
Average price10875525323372614
Index100482124
RussiaVolume (tonnes)107632297803371
Index10030072313
Market share (%)1312
Index100381111348
Average price9623577148982851
Index100605130
MexicoVolume (tonnes)1374128961437
Index100165105
Market share (%)1011
Index1001100116
Average price2530326439763435
Index100129157136
Rest of the worldVolume (tonnes)4482247126163621
Index100555881
Market share (%)3233
Index100708990
Average price82531064857373979
Index1001297048
Total third countries except IndiaVolume (tonnes)28987249962436634494
Index1008684119
Market share (%)19212425
Index100110128132
Average price10027585228442814
Index100582828
(197)The impact of imports from other third countries has been analysed since they represented around 84 % of total GES imports to the Union during the RIP. Despite the decreasing consumption, volume of imports from other third countries increased by 19 % from almost 29000 tonnes in 2018 to around 35000 tonnes in the RIP.(198)Imports from third countries followed partially the decrease in consumption in 2019 and 2020 yet rapidly recovered and reached the highest level in the RIP, with 19 % increase compared to 2018. The average price of imports from other third countries followed the global trend, decreasing by 72 % between 2018 and the RIP.(199)The large majority of these imports in the RIP, 76 %, were imports from China. The import volumes from the other third countries except China and India increased over the period considered by 22 %. Import volume of GES from India increased from 5800 tonnes in 2018 to 6500 tonnes during the RIP, while China increased from 22054 tonnes in 2018 to 26065 tonnes during the RIP, with a market share gain of 25 % and 31 %, respectively.(200)Over the same period import prices from China were lower than the prices of both the Indian exporters and the prices of the Union producers (except in 2018).(201)Furthermore, as of 7 April 2022Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/558 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 108, 7.4.2022, p. 20). the Commission made the imports of GES from China subject to anti-dumping duty (ranging from 23 % to 74,9 %)The scope of the Chinese regulation is slightly different than the scope of the present regulation, as it does not include nipples and it also includes graphite electrodes of a kind used for electric furnaces, with an apparent density of 1,5 g/cm3 or more but less than 1,65 g/cm3 and an electrical resistance of 6,0 μΩ.m or less, or with an apparent density of 1,5 g/cm3 or more and an electrical resistance of more than 6,0 μΩ.m but not more than 7,0 μΩ.m, (TARIC codes 8545110010 and 8545110015)..4.4.Economic situation of the Union industry4.4.1.General remarks(202)The assessment of the economic situation of the Union industry included an evaluation of all economic indicators having a bearing on the state of the Union industry during the period considered.(203)As mentioned in recital (15), sampling was used for the assessment of the economic situation of the Union industry.(204)For the injury determination, the Commission distinguished between macroeconomic and microeconomic injury indicators. The Commission evaluated the macroeconomic indicators based on data contained in the replies to the anti-dumping questionnaire by the sampled producers as well as macroeconomic data provided by the non-sampled producers and the applicants, crosschecked with the data in the review request. The data related to all Union producers. The Commission evaluated the microeconomic indicators based on data contained in the questionnaire replies from the sampled Union producers. Both sets of data were found to be representative of the economic situation of the Union industry.(205)The macroeconomic indicators are: production, production capacity, capacity utilisation, sales volume, market share, growth, employment, productivity, magnitude of the dumping margin, and recovery from past dumping.(206)The microeconomic indicators are: average unit prices, unit cost, labour costs, inventories, profitability, cash flow, investments, return on investments, and ability to raise capital.4.4.2.Macroeconomic indicators4.4.2.1.Production, production capacity and capacity utilisation(207)The total Union production, production capacity and capacity utilisation developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 5Production, production capacity and capacity utilisationSource:information provided by the sampled and non-sampled Union producers, information provided by the applicants.
201820192020Review investigation period
Production volume (tonnes)251009219744164413219330
Index100886687
Production capacity (tonnes)283500294900294900285235
Index100104104101
Capacity utilisation (%)89755677
Index100846387
(208)Following the decrease in consumption, the production volume of the Union industry dropped by 34 % between 2018 and 2020, and partially recovered in the RIP, remaining below the 2018 level. Overall, the production volume decreased by 13 % during the period considered.(209)The decrease of the production volume is due to the decrease in consumption coupled with the loss in sales quantity suffered by the Union industry, as explained below in recital (211).4.4.2.2.Sales volume and market share(210)The Union industry’s sales volume and market share developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 6Sales volume and market shareSource:Information provided by the applicants, information provided by the sampled and non-sampled Union producers.
201820192020Review investigation period
Total sales volume on the Union market (tonnes)117824918047335296245
Index100786282
Market share (%)77767370
Index100999591
(211)Sales volume of the Union industry decreased by 18 % during the period considered. It decreased steadily up to 2020 (by 38 %) and recovered only partially during the review investigation period. However, this increase was not in line with the similar trend followed by the Union consumption which resulted overall in a loss of market share of the Union industry from 77 % in 2018 to 70 % in the review investigation period (minus 9 %), while the market share of the imports from India increased by 25 % during the same period.(212)During the period considered, the EU consumption of GES decreased by 10 %. This decrease of 15000 tonnes in consumption hit only the Union industry, that lost 21000 tonnes of sales. Over the same period the volume of dumped imports from India, China and other third countries kept increasing during the period considered, by 13 %, 18 % and 19 % respectively.4.4.2.3.Growth(213)As explained above, during the period considered, the sales volume of the Union industry lost 21000 tonnes of sales while imports increased by more than 6200 tonnes. This resulted in a 9 % market share loss for the Union industry over the period considered. Consequently, there was no growth for the Union industry during the period considered.4.4.2.4.Employment and productivity(214)Employment and productivity developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 7Employment and productivitySource:Information provided by the applicants, information provided by the sampled and non-sampled Union producers.
201820192020Review investigation period
Number of employees (FTE)1165114811021143
Index100999598
Productivity (unit/employee)215191149192
Index100896989
(215)The number of employees of the Union industry remained relatively stable over the period considered (decreased by 2 % over the period considered). Therefore, given the drop in production explained in section 4.4.2.1, the productivity of the Union industry’s workforce, measured as output (tonnes) per employee, followed the same trend dropping by 11 % over the same period.4.4.2.5.Magnitude of the subsidy margin and recovery from past subsidization(216)The Commission concluded in recital (177) that Indian imports continued to enter the Union market at subsidised prices during the review investigation period. The Commission also found evidence that subsidisation will likely continue should the measures lapse.(217)Despite the countervailing measures in force since 2009, the Union industry has lost substantial sales volume which is reflected in a loss of market share of 9 percentage points over the period considered. Thus, no full recovery from the past subsidy could be established and the Union industry remains highly vulnerable to the injurious effects of any subsidized imports in the Union market.4.4.3.Microeconomic indicators4.4.3.1.Prices and factors affecting prices(218)The weighted average unit sales prices of the sampled Union producers to unrelated customers in the Union developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 8Sales prices in the UnionSource:Questionnaire replies of the sampled Union producers.
201820192020Review investigation period
Average unit sales price in the Union on the total market (EUR/tonne)8483957858704682
Index1001136955
Unit cost of production (EUR/tonne)3696468548643556
Index10012713296
(219)The sales prices increased between 2018 and 2019 by 13 % before decreasing steeply in 2020 and in the review investigation period to the level by 45 % lower than in 2018.(220)Cost of production increased, reached its highest point in 2020 and started decreasing during the review investigation period. This trend is due to the substantial increase of the price of the main raw material, that is needle coke. The price of needle coke, due to the increased demand driven by the lithium-ion battery industry, increased steadily and significantly up to 2019 and only as of 2020 it started decreasing.(221)Considering the sales prices of the Union industry, the Commission noted that a part of the Union production (in particular produced by GrafTech Iberica and GrafTech France) representing around 50 % of the total Union sales and production, was to some extent temporarily shielded from direct market competition, whereas the other part (the other two sampled Union producers) was directly exposed to the dumped Indian imports.(222)This situation was due to the existence of LTAs covering sales of GES sourced from GrafTech Iberica. These LTAs were concluded in the wake of a period of unusually high prices in the years 2017–2018. These contracts are "take or pay" purchase contracts with a guaranteed level of supplies at set prices and the buyer committed to buy the agreed volumes at the pre-determined and fixed price, subject to various contractual rights and obligations. The duration of these contracts was three to five years. It appeared that a very large portion of sales sourced from GrafTech Iberica during the review investigation period were made under these LTAs. The investigation did not reveal that any other Union producer would be covered by similar LTAs in the period considered. In view of the LTAs’ limited duration, the Commission noted that the impact of the contracts is of a temporary nature.(223)The origin of these LTAs is to be found in the period of high price volatility in the years 2017-2018 that stretched up to 2019. In these years, globally prices of graphite electrodes increased significantly. This was due to many factors, including increased global demand. The key reason for the rise in demand cited by the Union industry was to be the global shift in the steel industry, from blast furnaces to the electric arc furnaces, which use graphite electrodes. In addition, as explained in recital (220), the new competition for needle coke (the main raw material used in the production of graphite electrodes) with the lithium-ion battery industry drove an increase of raw material cost that contributed to the price volatility. To address this issue of price volatility, the LTAs for the supply of the product under review sourced from GrafTech Iberica were negotiated with a duration between three to five years. The principle was to obtain more stable prices in exchange for a stable supply as requested by clients.(224)Therefore, thanks to the existing LTAs, sales of GrafTech Iberica could be at a stable price level ([25–50] % above the average unit sales price in the Union) during the review investigation period despite the general fall in prices from which the remainder of the Union industry was not covered by LTA. Based on the information available, such as sales volumes of the product under review not subject to LTAs and sourced from GrafTech Iberica as well as the sales of the other two sampled Union producers, the Commission estimated that the average price on the market not covered by the terms of the LTAs was around [25–50] % lower than the average unit sales price in the Union on the total market. Accordingly, the average Union sales price during the review investigation period does not accurately reflect the competitive price situation on the Union market, which was significantly affected by low-priced and dumped imports from both India and China.4.4.3.2.Labour costs(225)The average labour costs of the sampled Union producers developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 9Average labour costs per employeeSource:Questionnaire replies of the sampled Union producers.
201820192020Review investigation period
Average labour costs per employee (EUR)91856877148499387519
Index100959395
(226)The average labour cost slightly decreased over the period considered. Overall, the average labour cost per employee decreased by 5 %. This trend was mostly influenced by the limited reduction in employment figures as explained in recital (215).4.4.3.3.Inventories(227)Stock levels of the sampled Union producers developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 10InventoriesSource:Questionnaire replies of the sampled Union producers.
201820192020Review investigation period
Closing stocks (tonnes)7026944781728812
Index100134116125
Closing stocks as a percentage of production3454
Index100154178144
(228)Inventories cannot be considered as a relevant injury indicator in this sector, as production and sales are mainly based on orders and, accordingly, producers tend to hold limited stocks. Therefore, the trends on inventories are given for information only.(229)Overall, inventories were influenced by the decreasing trends of production and sales of the Union industry. Closing stocks as a percentage of production increased significantly in 2019 and 2020 (by 54 % and 78 % respectively) partially decreasing during the review investigation period. Overall, during the period considered closing stocks in tonnes increased by 25 %.(230)However, when looking at the data of the two Union producers that did not conclude LTAs. Over the same period their stocks increased by [35 – 45] %.4.4.3.4.Profitability, cash flow, investments, return on investments and ability to raise capital(231)Profitability, cash flow, investments and return on investments of the sampled Union producers developed over the period considered as follows:
Table 11Profitability, cash flow, investments and return on investmentsSource:Questionnaire replies of the sampled Union producers.
201820192020Review investigation period
Profitability of sales in the Union to unrelated customers (% of sales turnover)7562231
Index10082242
Cash flow (EUR)659909270475537375120592009210732326
Index100721832
Investments (EUR)23523042280652312157432729396885
Index10011992125
Return on investments (%)72246735154
Index10065521
(232)The Commission established the profitability of the sampled Union producers by expressing the pre-tax net profit of the sales of the like product to unrelated customers in the Union as a percentage of the turnover of those sales.(233)After the previous expiry review investigation mentioned in recital (1), where the countervailing measures were imposed, the situation of the Union industry improved and its profit margin, due to the increase in prices mentioned above in section 4.4.3.1, reached 75 % in 2018. However, the situation deteriorated subsequently and profit margins declined as from 2018 reaching its bottom point in 2020 (2 %) and partially recovering in the review investigation period (31 %), corresponding to a decrease of 58 % over the period considered.(234)The cause for this decreasing trend is the significant reduction in Union consumption and in sales volume suffered by the Union industry at the advantage of the dumped and subsidized Indian and dumped Chinese imports that exerted significant price pressure entering into the Union undercutting those of the Union industry and forcing the part of the Union industry not covered by the LTAs to reduce their prices levels, as explained above in recital (224).(235)As mentioned above, one of the sampled Union producers, GrafTech Iberica, sold the majority of its volumes under LTAs. Therefore, products were sold at stable prices and, during the RIP (until expiry of the LTAs; a significant part expired by the end of 2021, another part by the end of 2022), these sales were still considered partially shielded from external factors such as the general price decrease.(236)However, the situation is different for the other two sampled Union producers. Excluding GrafTech Iberica the micro-indicators show a different picture, with profitability of sales in the Union dropping from [+ 70 – +80] % in 2018 to [0 – +10] % in the review investigation period.(237)The net cash flow is the Union industry’s ability to self-finance their activities. Given the decreasing trend of Union industry’s profit the cash flow dropped by 68 % over the period considered.(238)Investments, thanks to a still positive cash flow, increased by 25 % in the period considered, which is mainly due to the efforts made by the Union industry to rationalize its production and increase efficiency and productivity to face the increasing low-priced imports. However, in the same period, the return on investments, which is expressed as the profit in percentage of the net book value of investments dropped by 79 % and therefore followed the same trend as the profitability.(239)A picture similar to the one explained above can be observed when looking at the data of the two Union producers that did not sell under LTAs during the review investigation period. Over the same period return on investment and cash flow dropped to [0 + 10]%.(240)The decreasing profitability and return on investment will made it increasingly difficult for the sampled Union producers to raise capital for future investment. With return on investments falling so quickly, the sampled producers’ ability to raise capital in the future is in greater jeopardy.4.4.4.Conclusion on injury(241)The investigation showed that the measures allowed the Union industry to maintain, at least partially, a significant market shares throughout the period considered. Most of injury indicators showed that the economic situation of the Union industry was difficult. As explained above, these negative developments are explained by the decrease in consumption coupled with the consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak and dumped imports from China and dumped and subsidized imports from India which during the same period gained market share to the detriment of Union industry whose market share decreased. The situation was further aggravated by the sharp increase of the dumped imports from China and India. The Union industry has responded to these challenges by decreasing its prices and reducing profit, which, nevertheless, remained positive during the period considered.(242)In particular, production, sales volumes and market shares decreased, as well as sales prices which had a negative effect on productivity as well as on profitability. The increased price pressure from the dumped imports coming from India and China forced the Union industry to reduce its sales prices with negative effects on its profitability which decreased substantially over the period considered. Finally, the rapidly decreasing returns on investments has a negative impact on the Union industry’s ability to raise capital and investments.(243)On the other hand, despite the declining trends, the Union industry still managed to maintain large sales volume and considerable market share. Likewise, despite the negative trend, profitability remained positive throughout the period considered. Therefore, the Commission concluded that the Union industry was subject to some negative trends over the period considered which resulted in an overall vulnerable situation in 2021 but did not suffer material injury within the meaning of Article 3(5) of the basic Regulation during the review investigation period.(244)After disclosure, the GOI claimed that the increased prices of raw materials, following the military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, is one of the main factors for the reduced profitability of the Union industry.(245)This claim is not supported by any evidence. The military aggression and the underlying geopolitical situation developed after the review investigation period, as of February 2022, and therefore had no influence on the situation of the Union industry over the period considered. Therefore, this claim was deemed as unfounded.5.LIKELIHOOD OF RECURRENCE OF INJURY(246)The Commission concluded in recital (243) that the Union industry did not suffer material injury during the review investigation period. Therefore, the Commission assessed, in accordance with Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation, whether there would be a likelihood of recurrence of injury originally caused by the dumped and subsidized imports from India if the measures were allowed to lapse.(247)In order to establish whether there is likelihood of recurrence of injury originally caused by the dumped and subsidized imports from India, the Commission considered the following elements: (i) production volume and spare capacity in India, (ii) export volumes and prices from India to the other third country markets, (iii) existing measures in the other third countries, (iv) attractiveness of the Union market, and, (v) likely price levels of imports from India and their impact on the Union industry’s situation, should the measures allowed to lapse.5.1.Production capacity and spare capacity(248)Based on the information provided in the request for expiry reviewPublicly available annual report of HEG in 2021 and GIL Corporate Presentation of 2021., the total Indian production capacity of GES was estimated at around 160000 tonnes, the production at around 121000 tonnes and the spare capacity at around 39000 tonnes in the review investigation period. The estimated spare capacity represented around 29 % of the Union consumption during the review investigation period.(249)In addition, the information provided in the requestHEG, Annual Report 2021, p. 2, 11. indicated that one Indian producer is expected to continue to increase its capacity by additional 20000 tonnes by early 2023, increasing the spare capacity to 59000 tonnes (43 % of the Union consumption during the review investigation period). Therefore, the capacity to significantly increase export quantities to the Union exists, in particular because there are no indications that third country markets or the domestic market could absorb any additional production.5.2.Export volumes and prices from India to the other third country markets(250)In the absence of cooperation and consequently of any other more reliable source for establishing the Indian exports of GES from India to the other third countries except the Union, the analysis was based on the GTA data of HS code 854511. This HS code covered around 82 % of the Indian exports to the Union (compared to Eurostat TARIC data), while almost no imports into the Union from India were made under HS code 854590. The GTA data for HS 854511 was therefore considered the most reliable source for third country market analysis.(251)Both GIL and HEG were, the two known producers of GES in India, found to be highly export oriented, exporting above 60 % of their production in 2021. Turkey, the United States, the Union and Egypt were its their main export markets. Overall, worldwide export volumes from India decreased by 14 % from 2018 to the RIP, while it increased by 16 % to the top three export markets (Turkey, United States and Egypt).(252)The export prices analysis to India’s top ten export countries during the RIP indicated that the export price to the Union at FOB Indian border level (2727 EUR/tonne) was higher than to Egypt, South Korea, South Africa, Mexico and United Arab Emirates, while lower than to Turkey, United States, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. However, given the export restrictions the Indian industry is facing, as explained below in section 5.3, and taking into account the current Indian spare capacity, it was considered that,, Indian exporters would have an incentive to shift significant quantities of exports from third countries to the more attractive Union market should measures be allowed to lapse.5.3.Existing measures in the other third countries(253)Following the US sanctions against Iran in August 2018, India lost its largest export destination for GESNon-US companies can no longer use US dollars for transactions with Iran. Moreover, if sanctioned for violating the US sanctions it may result for foreign companies not being permitted to open new US bank accounts and facing restrictions on loans, licences and Ex-Im credit.. Before the sanctions, Iran was among the top tree export destination of GES for India with export volumes of around 9000 tonnes/year. In 2019, following the sanctions, export volumes from India to Iran decreased to nearly zero tonnes and remained so in the following years.(254)In addition, the Eurasian Economic Commission extended the anti-dumping measures on imports of GES from India until September 2023 at the rate of 16,04 % for HEG and 32,83 % for GIL and other Indian manufactures. The Russian Federation, one of the members of the Eurasian Economic Union, was an important consumer of GES with its annual electric arc furnaces steelmaking of 24 million tonnes in 2019. India’s GES exports to Russia decreased from around 840 tonnes in 2018 to zero tonnes in 2020 and 2021. Therefore, with the already available spare capacity this will restrict the potentially available export markets for the Indian producers, increasing even further the attractiveness of the Union market, should the measures allowed to lapse.5.4.Attractiveness of the Union market(255)The attractiveness of the Union market was demonstrated by the fact that despite the anti-dumping and countervailing duties in force, Indian GES continued to enter the Union market. During the period considered, India continued to be the second largest exporting country to the Union after China. Despite a decrease between 2019 and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India maintained and increased its exports to the Union, between 5800 tonnes in 2018 and to 6500 tonnes in the review investigation period, and market shares, between 4 % in 2018 and 5 % in the review investigation period. This is in the same range of the export volumes and market shares observed in the Union during the review investigation period of the two previous expiry reviews. As provided in the recital (192), the Indian export price to the Union was significantly undercutting the prices on the Union market during the review investigation period.(256)In addition, according to the public statements of HEG, the producer considers the Union an important export market to increase their presence if the anti-dumping/subsidy measures are liftedPublicly available HEG, Conference Call Transcript 2021 provided by the applicants. https://hegltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ConferenceCallTranscript08062021.pdf.5.5.Likely price levels of imports from India and their impact on the Union industry’s situation should the measures lapse(257)To assess the impact of future imports on the situation of the Union industry, the Commission considered that price levels of the Indian exports without the anti-dumping duties would be a reasonable indicator of future price levels to the Union market. On this basis, the average undercutting margin for the product under review was found to be, without anti-dumping and countervailing duties included, 41,1 %, therefore is considered the best indicator of the likely price levels in the absence of anti-subsidy measures.(258)Given its intense use and rapid replacement, users of the product under review tend to maintain substantial stocks as for commodities. Therefore, the product under review is price sensitive. A surge in imports at low prices would force the Union industry to further reduce their prices as it has already been done to compete with the imports from India and China, as explained above in section 4.4.3.1.(259)In addition, as of April 2022 imports of certain GES from China, are subject to the anti-dumping duty mentioned in recital (199). The scope of the product concerned by these duties covers, to a large extent, the scope of the product concerned by the present investigation, namely TARIC codes 8545110010. It is therefore expected that the Chinese market share will decrease (from 20 %, in the review investigation period). This will further increase the attractiveness of the Union market for the dumped/subsidised imports from India. With the current or even likely increased spare capacity mentioned above in recital (249), and without the competition of the Chinese exporting producers, there is a strong likelihood that Indian exporting producers will significantly increase their imports of the product under review to the Union market should measures be allowed to lapse.(260)Moreover, as explained above in recitals (221) to (224) the global situation of the Union industry is affected by the particular situation of GrafTech Iberica that is temporary. The LTAs came to an end (to a large extent the large majority of the LTAs in force already expired in 2022) Some of the existing LTAs sourced from GrafTech Iberica were extended for one or two years beyond 2022. However, the extended LTAs covered only a minor part of total sales sourced from GrafTech Iberica. Even including the extended LTAs, the vast majority of the sales volume sourced from GrafTech Iberica will, at the end of 2023 no longer be covered by the current LTAs. This proportion will further increase at the end of 2024. Moreover, the Commission noted that the average sales prices for products sourced from GrafTech Iberica for the IP declined compared to 2020 (even including the sales under the LTAs), which indicated that sales sourced from GrafTech Iberica were impacted by the imports of graphite electrodes from India and China at low prices. Therefore, by the end of 2023 at the latest, GrafTech Iberica will be in the same situation as the other producers and will be fully exposed to the impact of increasing volumes of dumped and subsidized imports from India. This means that the economic situation of the Union industry would further deteriorate should measures be allowed to lapse.(261)With a loss of profitability, the Union industry would not be able to carry out necessary investments. Ultimately, this would also lead to an employment loss and risk of production lines closures.(262)After disclosure the GOI argued that there is no likelihood of recurrence of injury in the present case, primarily because the market share of the imports from India into the Union is merely 5 % and that any injury to the Union industry is on account of imports from China and not imports from India. Furthermore, the GOI argued that the low import prices from India is a reaction to the low-priced imports from China.(263)When establishing whether there is a likelihood of recurrence of injury originally caused by the dumped imports from India, as explained in recital (247), the Commission considered several elements such as production volume and spare capacity in India, export volumes and prices from India to the other third country markets, existing measures in the other third countries, attractiveness of the Union market, and likely price levels of imports from India and their impact on the Union industry’s situation, should the measures be allowed to lapse. In its comments GOI did not question the Commission’s analysis or conclusion on any of these elements other than the one addressed in recital (127). Contrary to what the GOI suggested in its comments, the Commission did not base its finding with regard to the likelihood of recurrence of injury on the market share of imports of the GES from India to the Union observed during the review investigation period.(264)The claim was therefore dismissed.(265)Furthermore, the GOI claimed that the Union market is not a price attractive market for the Indian exporting producers as its export prices to the Union are lower that the export price of GES to other third countries.(266)The Commission acknowledged, in recital (252) above that Indian export prices to some third countries are above the export prices to the Union. Nevertheless, prices to some other export markets, that are important to the Indian exporting producers, are lower than the prices to the Union. Moreover, as explained in section 4.3.1 above, the Indian exports gained market share in the Union over the period considered. Therefore, for the reasons set out above, the Commission concluded that this claim was unfounded.5.6.Conclusion(267)In view of the above, the Commission concluded that the expiry of the measures would in all likelihood result in a significant increase of dumped and subsidized imports from India at prices undercutting the Union industry prices, and therefore would aggravate the economic situation of the Union industry. It is highly likely that this would lead to a recurrence of material injury and as a consequence, the viability of the Union industry would be at serious risk.6.UNION INTEREST(268)In accordance with Article 21 of the basic Regulation, the Commission examined whether maintaining the existing anti-dumping measures would be against the interest of the Union as whole. The determination of the Union interest was based on an appreciation of all the various interests involved, including those of the Union industry, importers, distributors and users.(269)All interested parties were given the opportunity to make their views known pursuant to Article 21(2) of the basic Regulation.6.1.Interest of the Union industry(270)The Union industry is composed of five groups producing graphite electrodes in the Union. All groups cooperated fully in the investigation. As mentioned in recital (15), the Commission selected a sample of Union producers. The sample consisted of 3 Union producers that provided a reply to the questionnaire. The sample was considered representative for the Union industry.(271)As set out above, the Union industry did not suffer material injury during the period considered but it is in a fragile situation, as confirmed by the negative trends of the injury indicators. Removing the anti-dumping duties would lead to a likely recurrence of material injury which would be translated in a loss of sales and production volume, as well as market share leading to a loss of profitability and employment.(272)On the other hand, the Union industry has proven to be a viable industry. After the last expiry review it managed to improve its situation in the fair conditions on the Union market, invest and operating at a profit above the target profit established in the original investigation. The continuation of the measures would prevent the low priced imports from India to flood the Union market and therefore would allow the Union industry to maintain sustainable prices and profitability levels necessary for future investments.(273)On this basis, the Commission thus concluded that the maintenance of the countervailing measures is in the interest of the Union industry.(274)Following the final disclosure, the GOI commented that since the anti-subsidy duties already were in place for almost 20 years, the further continuation of the duties would lead to overprotection and would stifle the competition on the EU market. There was no justification for the continuation of the duties for more than 20 years.(275)The Commission has found evidence that the subsidisation of the Indian exports continued in the RIP. Therefore, even if the measures are in place for a long time, the prolongation of the duties is in line with the rule for protection against subsidized imports. There is also no risk for a negative influence on the competition on the EU market as the duties only counterbalance the subsidisation and restore a fair international competition.6.2.Interest of unrelated importers, traders, and users(276)The Commission contacted all known unrelated importers, traders, and users. No interested party came forward.(277)Given the non-cooperation of any importers, traders or users, no information was available on the impact of the duties on these parties. The original investigation revealed, however, that any impact on other interested parties was not as such that measures had to be considered to be against the Union interest and likewise, the previous expiry review investigation established that the maintenance of the measures would not have a significant negative impact on the situation these parties.(278)On the basis of the above, the Commission concluded that the maintenance of the countervailing measures in force would not have any significant adverse effects on importers, traders or users.(279)After disclosure the GOI claimed that the maintenance of the anti-dumping measures in force is not in the interest of the Union. The GOI argued that the fact that sales sourced from GrafTech Iberica were made pursuant to LTAs resulted in an artificially and anti-competitive high selling price which is not indicative of the market price of GES in the Union. The consequences of these artificially high-priced sales would be faced by the downstream users in the Union.(280)As explained above in recital (194) LTAs are a not uncommon freely entered into commercial practice in which both parties agrees on the terms as they assume they will be beneficial. Therefore, in the Commission’s view the LTAs and the resulting prices cannot be deemed as anti-competitive. Moreover, as explained in recital (235) by the end of 2023 the majority of the LTAs signed by GrafTech Iberica will come to an end and GrafTech Iberica will be in the same situation as the other producers and will be fully exposed to the impact of increasing volumes of dumped imports from India.(281)Therefore, this claim was dismissed.(282)Furthermore, the GOI argued that the continuation of duties would not be in interest of the Union as the impact of such duties will be passed down to the customers.(283)This argument was deemed as unfounded. The interest of the users was assessed, by the Commission, in recitals (276) to (278) and it was concluded that the maintenance of the anti-dumping measures in force would not have any significant adverse effects on users.6.3.Conclusion on Union interest(284)On the basis of the above, the Commission concluded that there were no compelling reasons of the Union interest against the maintenance of the existing measures on imports of the product under review originating in India.7.ANTI-SUBSIDY MEASURES(285)Based on the conclusions reached by the Commission concerning the continuation of subsidisation from India, the likelihood of recurrence of injury caused by subsidised imports from India, and the Union interest, the Commission finds that the countervailing measures on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India should be maintained.(286)The individual company countervailing duty rates specified in this Regulation are exclusively applicable to imports of the product under review originating in India and produced by the named legal entities. Imports of the product under review produced by any other company not specifically mentioned in the operative part of this Regulation, including entities related to those specifically mentioned, should be subject to the duty rate applicable to "all other companies". They should not be subject to any of the individual countervailing duty rates.(287)A company may request the application of these individual countervailing duty rates if it changes subsequently the name of its entity. The request must be addressed to the CommissionEuropean Commission, Directorate-General for Trade, Directorate G, Rue de la Loi 170, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.. The request must contain all the relevant information enabling to demonstrate that the change does not affect the right of the company to benefit from the duty rate which applies to it. If the change of name of the company does not affect its right to benefit from the duty rate which applies to it, a regulation about the change of name will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.(288)All interested parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was intended to recommend that the existing measures be maintained. They were also granted a period to make representations subsequent to this disclosure.(289)In view of Article 109 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilRegulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1)., when an amount is to be reimbursed following a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the interest to be paid should be the rate applied by the European Central Bank to its principal refinancing operations, as published in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union on the first calendar day of each month.(290)The measures provided for in this regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
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