Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1953 of 29 October 2015 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel originating in the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America

COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/1953

of 29 October 2015

imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel originating in the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 November 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (‘basic Regulation’) ([^E0001]), and in particular Article 9(4) thereof,

Whereas:PROCEDURE Provisional Measures

• (1) On 13 May 2015, the European Commission (‘the Commission’) imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of certain grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel (‘GOES’) originating in the People's Republic of China (‘PRC’), Japan, the Republic of Korea (‘Korea’), the Russian Federation (‘Russia’) and the United States of America (‘USA’) (together, referred to as ‘the countries concerned’) by Regulation (EU) No 2015/763 (‘the provisional Regulation’) ([^E0002]).

• (2) The proceeding was initiated on 14 August 2014 following a complaint lodged on 30 June 2014 by the European Steel Association (‘Eurofer’ or ‘the complainant’) on behalf of producers representing more than 25 % of the total Union producers of GOES.

• (3) As set out in recital (15) of the provisional Regulation the investigation of dumping and injury covered the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 (‘the investigation period or IP’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of injury covered the period from 1 January 2011 to the end of the investigation period (‘the period considered’).

Subsequent procedure

• (4) Subsequent to the disclosure of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which a provisional anti-dumping duty was imposed (‘the provisional disclosure’), several interested parties made written submissions making known their views on the provisional findings. The parties who so requested were granted an opportunity to be heard. Hearings with the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings were held with the Japanese exporting producers JFE Steel Corporation and Nippon Steel & Sumitoma Metal Corporation.

• (5) As set out in recitals (27), (224) and (239) of the provisional Regulation, the Commission continued to seek and verify all information it deemed necessary for its definitive findings. Five additional verification visits were carried out after the imposition of the provisional measures at the premises of the following users in the European Union:

• —Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, München, Germany

• —ABB AB, Brussels, Belgium

• —SGB-Smit Group, Regensburg, Germany

• —Končar — Distribution and Special Transformers, Inc., Zagreb, Croatia

• —Schneider Electric S.A., Metz, France

• (6) In addition, three verification visits were carried out at the premises of the following Union producers:

• —ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel UGO SAS, Isbergues, France

• —ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel GmbH, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

• —Tata Steel UK Limited (Orb Electrical Steels), Newport, United Kingdom

• (7) All parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which the Commission intended to impose definitive anti-dumping measures. They were also granted a period within which they could make representations subsequent to this disclosure. A hearing with the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings was held with a user association.

• (8) The Commission considered the oral and written comments submitted by the interested parties and, where appropriate, modified the findings accordingly.

PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT

• (9) As set out in recital (16) of the provisional Regulation, the product concerned is grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel, of a thickness of more than 0,16 mm originating in the PRC, Japan, Korea, Russia and the USA, currently falling within CN codes ex 7225 11 00 and ex 7226 11 00 (‘the product concerned’).

• (10) Some interested parties argued that the product concerned, as set out in recital (16) of the provisional Regulation, and the like product are not alike as stated in recital (22) of the provisional Regulation since they do not share the same physical and chemical characteristics and are not used for the same purposes. Three exporting producers, a user association and two individual users claimed that high permeability and/or domain refined types of the product concerned should be excluded from the scope of the investigation since these types are either not produced in sufficient quantities or not produced at all in the Union. One of these exporting producers specified that this should be types of the product concerned with a maximum core loss of 0,90 W/kg and below with a magnetic polarisation of more than 1,88 T. Another exporting producer requested the exclusion of types with a maximum core loss of 0,95 W/kg and below due to the limited competitive overlap with products offered by the Union industry. Another exporting producer argued that types of the product concerned with a maximum core loss of 0,90 W/kg at 1,7 T/50 Hz or less and a permeability (induction) of 1,88 T or more as well as types with a maximum core loss of 1,05 W/kg at 1,7 T/50 Hz or less and a permeability (induction) of 1,91 T or more should be excluded. Furthermore, one user argued that types of the product concerned with a maximum core loss of 0,80 W/kg at 1,7 T/50 Hz or less as well as low noise types with a B800 factor of 1,9 T or above should be excluded. Some of them also argued that the product types with the lowest core losses have significantly different properties, end-uses, and therefore are not bought by the same customers and do not compete with other types of the product concerned. Furthermore, another user argued that two separate injury, causal link and Union interest analyses should be carried out. Finally, another user asked for the withdrawal of the provisional measures, and, if this would not be possible, that at least the high permeability types (i.e. types with a maximum core loss of 0,90 W/kg and lower) should be excluded from the product scope.

• (11) Following final disclosure, several interested parties reiterated the same request. One user argued that the fact that the Commission established separate minimum import prices for three different categories of GOES showed the relevance of considering the different categories separately and would therefore justify an exclusion.

• (12) The Commission considered that the product concerned, irrespective of core loss or noise levels, whether conventional or high-permeability products, are flat-rolled alloy steel products having a grain-oriented structure that permits the product to conduct a magnetic field. The grain orientation narrows the technical and physical characteristics of the steel to a unique product having an extraordinarily large grain structure. Accordingly, the product definition comprises a well-defined product. It was also found that all types of the product concerned share common chemistry and have one principal use, i.e. in the production of transformers. In addition, there is some degree of interchangeability among the different types of the product concerned.

• (13) Concerning the argument that exclusion would be justified due to the insufficient production of some particular types of the product concerned by Union producers, it should firstly be recalled that nothing in the basic Regulation requires that all types of the product concerned are produced by the Union industry at commercial scale. In addition, several high permeability product types were produced by the Union industry in the IP. As mentioned in recital (131) below, the verification also showed that Union producers have been investing in the production of high permeability types of the product concerned which will allow them to increase the production of high permeability GOES. Furthermore, as stated in recital (12), the definition of the scope of the product under investigation is governed by the technical characteristics of the GOES. The requested exclusion could reduce the level of protection against further injurious dumping with regard to the particular high permeability types and thus perpetrate their current production rates by the Union industry. In these circumstances, the fact that certain product types of high permeability GOES are not produced by the Union industry is not a sufficient reason to exclude them from the product scope.

• (14) Concerning the allegation that the separation into three different categories of GOES (see recital (11)) showed that an exclusion is justified, it is recalled that the investigation covers the product concerned as defined in recital (9) and therefore, one comprehensive injury analysis, causation analysis and Union interest analysis was carried out. The fact that the Commission acknowledged differences in quality between the different product types and that these differences in quality were taken into account in the decision about the form of the measures in the framework of the Union interest test, as explained below in recital (172), cannot be a reason to change the scope of the measures.

• (15) In view of the above, the Commission rejected the requests to exclude these product types from the product scope. The Commission considered the differences in quality, though, for the form of the measure (see recital (172)).

• (16) One Russian exporting producer argued that on the one hand their ‘first choice’ exported types of the product concerned (with higher flatness and fewer welding seams) and on the other hand their ‘second’ and ‘third choice’ exported types (with multiple defects, number of stitches and lack of flatness) are, as per the Russian industry practice, not interchangeable to any extent (both ways) and constitute different products. Therefore, they argued that ‘second’ and ‘third choice’ material be excluded from the product scope.

• (17) Following final disclosure, the Russian exporting producer repeated its claim and alleged that these ‘second’ and ‘third choice’ exported types can only be used in the transformer industry in some limited applications if they are further processed in steel service centres and should therefore be excluded.

• (18) The current description and the CN code of the product concerned potentially include a wide variety of types from a quality perspective. However, production of a lower quality product by both the Union and exporting producers is inherent to the production process and lower quality types are made from the same basic material and on the same production equipment. The so-called ‘second’ and ‘third choice’ exported types are also sold for use in the transformer business, and fully meet the definition of the product concerned. The fact that further processing is needed is not unusual and cannot be a reason to exclude a product type. Therefore, the Commission rejected this request.

• (19) In view of the above, the Commission concluded that the product concerned produced and sold in the countries concerned and the one produced and sold by the Union industry are alike, within the meaning of Article 1(4) of the Basic Regulation. Recitals (16) to (21) of the provisional Regulation are hereby confirmed.

DUMPING General methodology

• (20) In the absence of any further comments on the Commission's general methodology used for the dumping calculations, recitals (33) to (45) of the Provisional Regulation are hereby confirmed.

Republic of Korea Normal value

• (21) Following provisional disclosure, the sole exporting producer pointed out that the company's inland freight and handling charges should have been deducted from the normal value. Moreover, the conversion cost from full coils to slit coils had to be slightly adjusted. In line with the general methodology as set out in recital (56) of the provisional Regulation, this claim was accepted and the calculations were amended accordingly. Consequently, the findings in recital (46) of the Provisional Regulation are amended with regard to the exporting producer.

Export price

• (22) The exporting producer claimed that it formed a single economic entity with its trading companies and its related companies in the Union and that therefore no adjustment under Article 2(9) of the basic Regulation to determine the export price should have been done.

• (23) It is undisputed that the exporting producer and the related importers belong to the same group of companies. Therefore, an association is deemed to exist between them. In such circumstances, the Commission has to construct the export price under Article 2(9) of the basic Regulation. The claim was therefore rejected and recitals (50) to (54) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Comparison

• (24) The exporting producer also claimed a level of trade adjustment under Article 2(10) of the basic Regulation arguing that domestic sales were made by the related traders to end-users whereas export sales were de facto constructed as a price to distributors because the Commission deducted the SG&A and profit margins of the related traders in the Union under Article 2(9) of the basic Regulation.

• (25) The fact that the export price was constructed under Article 2(9) of the basic Regulation does not imply that the level of trade at which the export price was determined changed. The basis for the constructed export price remains the price charged to end-users. A level of trade adjustment is not warranted in this case as the exporting producer was selling at the same level of trade on both the domestic market and on the Union market. In any event, the exporting producer did not provide evidence that the alleged difference in levels of trade had affected price comparability, as demonstrated by consistent and distinct differences in functions and prices of the seller for the different levels of trade in the domestic market of the exporting country. Rather, it only claimed that the adjustment should be equal to the adjustment made under Article 2(9) of the basic Regulation for constructing the export price. This claim was therefore rejected.

Dumping margins

• (26) As a result of the amendments made to the normal value according to recital (21) above, the definitive dumping margins for Korea are amended as follows:

Country	Company	Definitive dumping margin
Republic of Korea	POSCO, Seoul	22,5 %
Republic of Korea	All other companies	22,5 %

The People's Republic of China Analogue country

• (27) No further comments were received on the use of the Republic of Korea as an analogue country. The Commission confirms the findings in recitals (65) to (71) of the Provisional Regulation.

Normal value

• (28) The normal value for the two exporting producers in the PRC was determined on the basis of the price or constructed normal value in the analogue country, in this case Korea, in accordance with Article 2(7)(a) of the Basic Regulation.

• (29) The normal value of the Chinese companies was amended in accordance with the amendment of the normal value determined for Korea, as explained in recital (21) above.

Export price

• (30) In the absence of any further comments with regard to the export price, recitals (73) and (74) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Comparison

• (31) In the absence of any comments with regard to the comparison of the normal value and the export prices, recitals (75) to (78) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Dumping margins

• (32) Based on their questionnaire replies, the Commission established in recital (80) of the provisional Regulation that the two cooperating exporting producers were related through common ownership. A single dumping margin was therefore provisionally established for the two companies on the basis of the weighted average of their individual dumping margins.

• (33) Both cooperating Chinese exporting producers (Baosteel and WISCO) contested the decision of the Commission to treat them as related companies and therefore having one weighted average dumping duty. They argued that they compete both on the domestic market and on export markets.

• (34) The Commission reiterates that the two cooperating exporting producers are related through common state ownership. However, in the circumstances of this case, these companies would have little interest to coordinate their export activities after the imposition of measures in view of the fact that, as set out in detail in recitals (175) and (176) below, the measures consist of a variable duty based on the same minimum import price for all exporting producers. Therefore at the definitive stage the Commission considered that it is not necessary to conclude whether the two companies should be treated as a single entity under Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation. For the purposes of the current investigation, two separate dumping margins were therefore established.

• (35) Following final disclosure the complainant argued that two individual duty rates for the two Chinese exporting producers could lead to coordinated export activities when prices fall below the minimum import price (MIP). They claimed that one single duty rate for both should be established. However, as mentioned above, in the particular circumstances of this case the Commission has indications that international prices are likely to remain above the MIPs in the medium to long term. Accordingly, it finds the risk of coordination between the two exporting producers to be insignificant, and that the possibility of an interim review in case of a change in circumstances is a more proportionate way to address this risk. This claim was therefore rejected.

• (36) The level of cooperating was high as the imports of the two cooperating exporting producers constituted 100 % of the total exports from the PRC to the Union during the IP. On this basis, the Commission decided to establish the country-wide dumping margin at the level of the cooperating company with the highest dumping margin.

• (37) On this basis the definitive dumping margins for the People's Republic of China are amended as follows:

Country	Company	Definitive dumping margin
People's Republic of China	Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Shanghai	21,5 %
People's Republic of China	Wuhan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Wuhan	54,9 %
People's Republic of China	All other companies	54,9 %

Japan Normal value

• (38) In the absence of any comments, the determination of the normal value, as set out in recitals (84) and (85) of the provisional Regulation, is confirmed.

Export price

• (39) In the absence of any comments, the determination of the export price, as set out in recitals (86) to (88) of the provisional Regulation, is confirmed.

Comparison

• (40) In the absence of any comments with regard to the comparison of the normal value and the export prices, recitals (89) to (92) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Dumping margins

• (41) In the absence of any further comments with regard to dumping margins recitals (93) to (95) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

The Russian Federation Normal value

• (42) All production of the product concerned in Russia comprised of conventional GOES and both prime and non-prime qualities were sold on the Union market. The Russian exporting producer claimed that an adjustment to the normal value should be made to take account of the fact that non-primary grades were exported to the Union market at lower prices than primary grades.

• (43) The possibility of adjustments to the normal value for non-primary grades was considered by the Commission. It should be pointed out that, as requested by the exporting producer, a differentiation was made at the provisional stage between primary and non-primary grades whereby the prices and costs of each grade were separated to ensure a fair comparison. This differentiation for the purpose of ensuring a fair comparison between normal value and export price is to be maintained.

• (44) However, an adjustment to the normal value itself in terms of a reduction to the cost of production of non-primary grades is not warranted. Such an adjustment would mean that a substantial proportion of costs would not be allocated to the product concerned while they were incurred in relation to that product. The normal value for all product types was calculated on the basis of actual data submitted by the exporting producer and verified on spot. The Commission verified the distribution of costs and there are no grounds to justify an artificial distribution of such costs or other adjustments. Any differences in prices between different product types are necessarily accounted for as normal value is determined by product type. This claim should therefore be rejected.

• (45) The company claimed that differences in dumping margins between primary grades and non-primary grades prove the point. However, it is quite normal for different groups of product types to have different dumping margins than others. A difference in dumping margin cannot justify an adjustment of the normal value. This claim should therefore be rejected as well.

• (46) The Union industry claimed that the Commission erred by making no adjustments to the Russian producers' costs of production pursuant to Article 2(5) of the basic Regulation. It further submitted that even if the Commission concluded that the Russian producers charge similar prices within the group compared to those of external sales, the question is whether the transaction prices within the group reasonably reflect the full costs associated with the product in question. The Commission compared these prices with prices to third parties and, on this basis, established that the purchase prices for raw materials by the two related Russian producers were made at market prices in the investigation period and therefore reflected normal purchase costs. Furthermore, the investigation did not reveal any indications that the full costs were not reflected in the setting of the prices. No adjustment was therefore considered necessary.

• (47) In the absence of any further comments with regard to normal value recitals (98) and (99) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Export price

• (48) The Russian exporting producer claimed that exports of third grade material should be excluded from the dumping calculation. However, as third grade material is also product concerned, there is no basis to exclude these products. This claim should therefore be rejected.

• (49) The Russian producer claimed that the adjustments for the profit and SGA of the related importer (Novex) are not warranted and stated that it does not agree with the Commission's interpretation of Articles 2(8) and 2(9) of the basic Regulation in this regard.

• (50) The Russian exporting producer argued that an adjustment for SGA and profit under Article 2(9) is only warranted where the terms of sales require that a product be delivered with duties paid. On the other hand, when products are sold duty unpaid, Article 2(8) applies, that is to say no deduction of SGA and profit is warranted. The exporting producer further claimed that Novex acted as ‘an exporting arm’ of the NLMK Group, Novex did not perform any import functions and it did not incur costs ‘normally born by an importer’.

• (51) However, as explained in the provisional Regulation and contrary to the claims, the investigation established that Novex did perform the same import functions for all sales of the product concerned during the investigation period. In fact, Novex performed such functions for a much larger range of steel products than simply the product concerned. The different incoterms (DDP, DAP or CIF) do not alter the fact that Novex was operating as a related importer to the Union market for all transactions. No evidence was provided that could invalidate this finding. It is therefore confirmed that adjustments for SGA and profit should be applied in accordance with Article 2(9) of the basic Regulation.

• (52) Following final disclosure the Russian exporting producer reiterated its claim that the adjustment under Article 2(9) is not warranted for sales made on a DDU/DAP basis. However, no new evidence was submitted to support the claim. The Commission maintains its view that all sales should be adjusted in accordance with Article 2(9) because, as explained in the provisional regulation, Novex was operating as an importer for all transactions and the prices from the Russian exporting producers to Novex were unreliable because of the relationship between them.

• (53) In the absence of any further comments with regard to export price recital (100) of the provisional Regulation is confirmed.

Comparison

• (54) In the absence of any further comments with regard to the comparison, recitals (101) and (102) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Dumping margins

• (55) In the absence of any further comments with regard to dumping margins recitals (103)-(105) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

The United States of America Normal value

• (56) In the absence of comments with regard to the normal value in the United States of America, the findings in recital (107) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Export price

• (57) In the absence of any comments, the determination of the export price, as set out in recitals (108) to (111) of the provisional Regulation, is confirmed.

Comparison

• (58) In the absence of any comments with regard to the comparison of the normal value and the export prices, recitals (112) and (113) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Dumping margins

• (59) No comments have been made on the Commission's provisional findings with regard to the cooperating exporting producer. Therefore, the dumping margins, as set out in recitals (114) to (116) of the provisional Regulation, are confirmed.

Dumping margins concerning all countries concerned

• (60) On the basis of the above, the definitive dumping margins expressed as a percentage of the CIF Union frontier price, duty unpaid, are:

Country	Company	Definitive dumping margin
People's Republic of China	Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Shanghai	21,5 %
People's Republic of China	Wuhan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Wuhan	54,9 %
People's Republic of China	All other companies	54,9 %
Japan	JFE Steel Corporation, Tokyo	47,1 %
Japan	Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Tokyo	52,2 %
Japan	All other companies	52,2 %
Republic of Korea	POSCO, Seoul	22,5 %
Republic of Korea	All other companies	22,5 %
Russian Federation	OJSC Novolipetsk Steel, Lipetsk; VIZ Steel, Ekaterinburg	29,0 %
Russian Federation	All other companies	29,0 %
United States of America	AK Steel Corporation, Ohio	60,1 %
United States of America	All other companies	60,1 %

INJURY Definition of the Union industry and Union production

• (61) In the absence of any comments with respect to the definition of the Union industry and Union production the conclusions set out in recitals (117) and (118) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Union consumption

• (62) A Japanese exporting producer argued that using ranges for Union consumption data is not appropriate since Union consumption data should not be kept confidential as a matter of principle.

• (63) As set out in recital (134) of the provisional Regulation, the imports of the Japanese product concerned into the Netherlands were reported under a confidential CN code during the period considered. Ranges were used to protect the confidentiality of data provided by interested parties. If precise figures instead of ranges for Union consumption data would have been provided, this would have allowed one Japanese exporting producer to precisely calculate the imports from the other Japanese exporting producer. Furthermore, the ranges which were used in the provisional Regulation provided parties with meaningful information. In addition, the indices for the ranges of the Union consumption allow a proper understanding of the trends of the Union consumption.

• (64) In the absence of any other comments with respect to Union consumption, the conclusions set out in recitals (119) to (124) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Imports from the countries concerned Cumulative assessment of the effects of the imports from the countries concerned

• (65) Two exporting producers claimed that the cumulative assessment of the imports from their respective countries in comparison with those from the other countries concerned was unwarranted: one of the Japanese exporting producers argued that they are only exporting high quality types of the product concerned and since its exports are decreasing, they are not exerting any price pressure on the Union market. The American exporting producer argued that imports from the USA decreased by 400 % during the period considered and that it has always set prices at much higher levels than other producers. Furthermore, one user argued that such a cumulative assessment is inappropriate due to the decrease in imports and the difference in price behaviour, on top of the fact that a particular exporting producer is selling types of the product concerned that the Union producers and other producers of the countries concerned do not sell.

• (66) As set out in recital (132) of the provisional Regulation, it has been acknowledged that there was a decrease in imports from Japan and the USA during the period considered. Nevertheless, these imports have also contributed to the exerted price pressure for the product concerned on the Union market. Imports from Japan and the USA were found to be dumped and their products are clearly in direct competition with Union products and products from other exporting producers. All types of the product concerned, including the types sold by the Japanese and American exporting producers, are sold for use in the production of transformer cores and they are sold to the same relatively limited group of customers. Therefore, the Commission rejected the claims for de-cumulation.

• (67) Following final disclosure, the American exporting producer reiterated its claim for decumulation and alleged that its types of the product concerned do not compete with the products of the Union industry as they are sold on the Union market only as a result of their higher quality compared to the types of products of the Union Industry.

• (68) In addition to the arguments advanced in recital (66) above concerning the imports from the USA in general, it should be mentioned that a cumulative assessment is however performed on a country-wide basis with regard to the full scope of the product concerned rather than on a company-specific basis and taking only into consideration certain types of the product concerned. The claim was therefore rejected.

• (69) The Commission concluded that all criteria set out in Article 3(4) are met and therefore imports from the countries concerned were examined cumulatively for the purposes of the injury determination. As a result, the conclusions set out in recitals (125) to (132) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Volume and market share of the imports from the countries concerned

• (70) In the absence of any other comments, the conclusions set out in recitals (133) to (136) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Prices of the imports from the countries concerned and price undercutting

• (71) In view of the absence of any comments, the conclusions set out in recitals (137) to (148) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Economic situation of the Union industry General remarks

• (72) A Korean exporting producer claimed that the main injury indicators are distorted since they do not sufficiently take into account the evolving product mix, which leads to the thinning of the product concerned and the like product during the period considered. This exporting producer argued that, to have a fair and true picture, data should be requested from the Union industry providing the production in length, either in actual terms or at least by constructing the lengths manufactured based on the product mix.

• (73) The Commission considered that the exporting producer did not provide data showing that a length-based approach would have changed any of the injury factors. Furthermore, tonnage is the standard quantity measurement which is used for the product concerned and the like product in connection to its production, procurement and sales. Eurostat data on the product concerned and the like product are also expressed in tonnage. Therefore, the analysis of the tonnages was considered an accurate method and the argument of this interested party is rejected.

• (74) Based on the above, the Commission concluded that a fair indicative picture was presented through the use of its injury indicators.

Production, production capacity and capacity utilisation

• (75) The same interested party and a user argued that some findings of the Commission in the provisional Regulation were contradictory. As set out in recitals (220) and (222) of the provisional Regulation, the Commission explained on the one hand that the Union Industry is shifting its production from conventional to high permeability types of the like product. On the other hand, as set out in the table in recital (150) of the provisional Regulation, the production capacity increased during the period considered (from 486 600 tonnes to 492 650 tonnes). According to these interested parties, it is generally known that an increased focus on thinner (high permeability) products automatically leads to a reduction of the production capacity.

• (76) The Commission rejected these arguments. Firstly, the increase in capacity was mainly the result of an increase in capacity by one of the Union producers during the period considered. This Union producer is currently only producing conventional types of the product concerned. In addition, recital (222) of the provisional Regulation refers mainly to the future, not exclusively to the period considered. This statement is further corroborated by the reference in recital (196) of the provisional Regulation, where it is stated that ‘The Union producers will shift to a lower core loss product mix.’

• (77) Based on the above, the conclusions set out in recitals (150) to (154) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Sales volume and market share

• (78) In the absence of any other comments, the conclusions set out in recitals (155) to (158) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Other injury indicators

• (79) In the absence of any comments concerning the development of the other injury indicators, covering the period considered, the conclusions set out in recitals (159) to (174) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Conclusion on injury

• (80) In accordance with Article 6(1) of the basic Regulation, the conclusion on injury below was reached on the basis of verified IP data. The collection and verification of post IP data, on the other hand, was done in the framework of the Union interest analysis (see also recitals (110) and (111)). The table in recital (170) of the provisional Regulation showed the record high losses and the negative cash flows from the year 2012 onwards. The conclusion below that the Union industry was in an injurious situation during the IP is therefore confirmed.

• (81) Even if post-IP data were taken into account for some injury factors, in particular the small profits made in the period January — May 2015, this would not affect the finding that the Union industry is in an injurious situation.

• (82) On the basis of the above and in the absence of any other comments, the conclusions set out in recitals (175) to (179) of the provisional Regulation that the Union industry suffered material injury during the period considered within the meaning of Article 3(5) of the basic Regulation are confirmed.

CAUSATION Effect of the dumped imports

• (83) Several parties claimed that the imports from the countries concerned could not have caused the injury suffered by the Union industry, mainly since there is absence of price undercutting. Furthermore, it has been claimed that the Union producers have themselves in many cases been initiating and leading the price reductions, both in the Union and in other large markets. One Japanese exporting producer added that there is no significant increase in dumped imports, and imports do not depress or suppress prices to a significant degree. As a result, these imports could not have caused the injury suffered by the Union industry as they could not have exerted any price pressure on the Union market. Following final disclosure, a Japanese exporting producer argued that the Commission's statement that these imports depressed prices on the Union market to a significant degree is not sufficient to establish that imports have caused price depression. The finding that there has been a decrease in prices merely demonstrates a worldwide trend, which does not imply that imports have caused price depression on the Union market.

• (84) It was also argued that the Commission must quantify the actual injury caused by the dumped imports and the injury caused by other known factors, and the duty level may not be higher than what is necessary to remove the injury caused exclusively by the dumped imports. These comments were reiterated following final disclosure.

• (85) The allegations that the imports from the countries concerned could not have caused the injury suffered by the Union industry were not supported by the facts of the investigation. As outlined in recitals (137) to (164) of the provisional Regulation, the decrease of the average unit price of the dumped imports was around 30 % during the period considered. As a result, these imports depressed prices on the Union market to a significant degree, even forcing the Union producers to lower their sales prices far below cost in order to align them with the price levels of the imports from the countries concerned. Moreover, there is a clearly established coincidence in time between, on the one hand, the level of dumped imports at continuously decreasing prices and, on the other hand, the Union industry's loss of sales volume and price depression resulting in a loss-making situation, as set out in recitals (181) to (183) of the Provisional Regulation.

• (86) The claim that the decrease in prices merely demonstrates a worldwide trend is rejected for the following reasons: Firstly, one worldwide market price for the product concerned does not exist as is the case for certain commodities. Secondly, the dumping findings revealed different dumping margins which show that price levels are different in different markets. Thirdly, the investigation revealed that the price levels and estimated price increases in different regions of the world (for 2014 up to the first quarter of 2015) are not moving at the same pace. Fourthly, even if there are indications that there was a decrease of prices in several regions of the world during the investigation period, such a decrease varies from region to region, whereby in particular prices on the Union market, being an open market, as set out in recital (85) below, decreased sharply.

• (87) Even in the absence of undercutting, which was acknowledged in the provisional Regulation, the Union producers were not able to set their prices above their costs which resulted in high losses during the period considered. The absence of undercutting, which is only one of the factors to be looked at in the injury analysis, does thus not mean that the dumped imports could not have caused injury. Union industry prices were the result of the strong price depression exerted by the low-priced dumped imports. Without such strong price pressure, there would have not been any reason for the Union industry to decrease its prices to such low levels. The Union producers had no option but to sell below costs in order to defend their market share and sustain an economical level of production because of the severe price pressure exerted by the dumped imports on their sales prices. Therefore, these arguments are rejected. Furthermore, concerning the argument that the Commission must quantify the actual injury caused by the dumped imports and the injury caused by other known factors, the Commission considered that, as already set out in recital (201) of the provisional Regulation, all other factors, even considering their possible combined effect, were not found to break the causal link between the injury and the dumped imports.

• (88) Concerning prices and price setting during the period considered, a Chinese exporting producer argued that the Union industry initiated the price decreases at the start of the period considered. One user also argued that the intensive price competition had been rather the direct effect of Union and exporting producers having sought to maintain or increase volumes in the face of shrinking demand.

• (89) As set out in recital (158) of the provisional Regulation, these arguments are rejected. First, there is no evidence that the Union industry initiated these price decreases. Second, it would not make sense economically for the Union industry to start selling products at high losses without being forced to do so. Finally, it is recalled that there is a clear coincidence in time between the level of dumped imports at continuously decreasing prices and the Union industry's loss of sales volume and price depression, resulting in higher losses for the Union producers.

• (90) Furthermore, the Chinese exporting producer claimed that it is difficult to see how higher prices, charged by the exporting producers, can cause price depression. A Japanese producer argued that the Commission fails to demonstrate any correlation between the price declines in the Union and the imports of the product concerned from the countries concerned. A user questioned the validity of the main arguments of the Commission since it disregarded the absence of price undercutting. In the same context, one user made the comment that the ability of a producer to sustain a long-term price war depends on a number of factors, such as efficiency, input costs and product quality, apart from the size, strength and strategy of the group to which the producers belong.

• (91) The arguments of the interested parties are rejected for the following reasons. Apart from the comments made in recital (87) aggressive price strategies in particular on the Union market can be sustained longer by the exporting producers than the Union producers for the following reason: the market share of the exporting producers on their domestic markets is much higher than the market share of the Union producers in the Union. The Union market is also an open market whereas the domestic markets of the exporting producers of the countries concerned cannot be easily penetrated by other competitors, including the Union producers. As a result of the overcapacity on the world market due to the booming business during the years 2003-2010, the aggressive price setting between the competing Union and exporting producers started during the period considered. In this context, the Commission noted that all but one exporting producer reported a higher production capacity than the actual production during the IP. Finally, concerning the correlation between the price declines in the Union and the imports of the product concerned, there is a direct correlation as regards the decrease of prices, although not to the same extent as regards volume.

• (92) For all the above reasons, the Commission considered that, as already set out in recital (145) of the provisional Regulation, the injury is particularly illustrated by the restrain the Union producers experienced because of the severe price pressure exerted on their sales prices. This pressure forced them to sell below costs to defend their market share on the Union market, which allowed them to maintain a sustainable level of production.

• (93) In the absence of any other comments as regard the effects of the dumped imports, the conclusions set out in recitals (181) to (183) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Effect of other factors The economic crisis

• (94) One interested party alleged that, contrary to the conclusions reached in recital (185) of the provisional Regulation, the Union industry was underperforming during the period considered, in particular by the falling demand for conventional types of the product concerned on the Union market. Another interested party claimed that the decrease of the Union consumption by around 11 % is the crucial element why the Union industry has not suffered material injury from the imports of the exporting producers. This interested party argues that the trend in the pattern of the Union industry's performance in terms of sales volume follows precisely the same path as the decrease of the Union consumption and therefore is the most crucial element for the injury suffered by the Union industry.

• (95) As acknowledged in recitals (121) and (156) of the provisional Regulation there was indeed a similar development of the Union consumption and of the sales volume performance of the Union industry, even though the decrease of the Union industry's sales volume slightly exceeded the decrease in consumption. However, as mentioned before, the crucial factor for the determination of injury is that the Union producers were forced to sell below costs. The interested party's claims in this respect should therefore be rejected. Furthermore, the Commission maintains that the economic crisis caused a contraction of demand in the Union as acknowledged in recital (184) of the provisional Regulation but that it is not the root cause for the injury. In this respect, while the consumption in the Union fell between 2011 and 2012, the consumption in 2012 was approximately the same as that in 2010. Nevertheless, in 2010, the Union industry had a profit of 14 %, while it recorded a loss of almost 10 % in 2012. As a result, even if the economic crisis contributed to the injury, it could not be concluded that it would break the causal link between the dumped imports and the material injury suffered by the Union industry.

• (96) The conclusions reached in recitals (184) and (185) of the provisional Regulation are therefore confirmed.

Union producers are not sufficiently competitive

• (97) The Chinese exporting producer claimed that there are many other factors than the dumped imports that explain the challenges of the Union producers, such as high raw material pricing, CO2 allowance trading and most importantly perhaps, the economic uncertainties and sharply reduced consumption levels, in particular in Southern Europe.

• (98) There may be a comparative disadvantage for Union producers if many other factors (including the high raw material pricing, etc.) would be compared to the exporting producers, such as in Russia, China and USA.

• (99) However, these arguments do not provide a sufficient explanation why the Union industry was still able to achieve profits of about 14 % in 2010 and the years before, given that this possible comparative disadvantage in cost terms was no different in 2010 and the years before.

• (100) Therefore, this claim is rejected.

Imports from third countries

• (101) In the absence of any comments as regard the imports from third countries, the conclusions set out in recitals (189) and (190) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Export sales performance of the Union industry

• (102) Two exporting producers argued that the data relating to the exports of the Union producers constitutes evidence of their aggressive pricing policy, since these prices are significantly below the weighted average Union sales prices in the Union market and even below their cost price. Another exporting producer argued that the Commission should properly separate and distinguish the injurious effect of the economic crisis and the Union industry poor export sales performance. Another user argued that the conclusion of the Commission that the exporting performance has been maintained at a high level, and has not been decisive for the Union's industry's injury, is not supported by the data because export sales decreased by 22,7 % whereas the domestic sales decreased by 11 % during the period considered.

• (103) These claims were rejected for the following reasons. The lower unit sales export price charged by the Union producers compared to the one on the Union market should be seen in the light of the fact that it includes a large proportion of second quality GOES which is mainly exported and sold at a discount. Furthermore, it has already been acknowledged in recital (193) of the provisional Regulation that the export performance contributed to the injury, but that it did not break the causal link between the dumped imports and the injury suffered by the Union industry.

• (104) In the absence of any other comments regarding the effect of the Union industry's export performance, the conclusions reached in recitals (191) to (193) are confirmed.

The overcapacity of the Union industry

• (105) Another interested party mentioned that the Union industry suffers from a massive overcapacity, and that the decrease in production volumes by the Union producers is mainly attributable to the decline of consumption levels within the Union and the severe reduction in export volumes of the Union producers, in particular between 2012 and 2013.

• (106) This claim was rejected since the alleged overcapacity is more a result of the dumped imports rather than a cause of injury suffered by the Union industry, as set out in recitals (194) to (197) of the provisional Regulation.

• (107) In the absence of any other comments concerning the above, the conclusions reached in recitals (194) to (197) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Russian Imports are Conventional Grade

• (108) In the absence of any comments concerning the above, the conclusions reached in recital (198) and (199) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Conclusion on causation

• (109) In the absence of any other comments with regard to causation, the conclusions reached in recitals (200) to (202) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

UNION INTEREST Preliminary remarks

• (110) Pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Basic Regulation, information relating to a period subsequent to the investigation period shall normally not be taken into account. However, in the context of determining whether there is a Union interest as contemplated in Article 21(1) of the basic Regulation, information relating to a period subsequent to the investigation period may be taken into account for those purposes ([^E0003]).

• (111) Comments relating to the need to take into consideration important post-investigation period (‘post-IP’) developments were received both from users and from exporting producers. Most comments and allegations received after the imposition of provisional measures related to the following developments after the investigation period. High permeability types of the product concerned are increasingly scarce on the Union market, mainly in view of the entry into force of tier 1 of the EcoDesign Regulation (as already mentioned in recital (233) of the provisional Regulation), but also because the Union producers are allegedly not able to supply the market with the required quality of these high-permeability product types. In addition, prices of the product concerned and the like product increased significantly after the IP. Parties also argued that the impact of the provisional measures on the transformer industry had been underestimated by the Commission, in particular by understating the share of the product concerned in the total cost of production of users. Finally, it was argued that the Union producers returned to profitability, so they would not need any protection anymore.

• (112) These alleged post-IP developments, in particular the combination of a change in the legal framework, a steep increase of prices and a shortage on the market of certain product types, if confirmed, are, given the specific circumstances of the case, relevant for the assessment of the Union interest in imposing appropriate measures. Therefore the Commission decided, exceptionally, to further investigate these post-IP developments in the period between July 2014 and May 2015. As set out in recital (5) above, and in view of the statements made in recitals (27), (224) and (239) of the provisional Regulation, additional information on the post-IP developments was collected and a number of users and Union producers were visited following the imposition of the provisional measures

Interest of the Union industry

• (113) Some interested parties claimed that the imposition of measures was unnecessary as the profitability of the Union industry attained high levels post-IP due to significantly increased prices and that the market had regulated itself. As a result, the Union industry was allegedly no longer suffering any injury after the IP.

• (114) As set out in recital (5) above, eight additional verifications on spot were carried out in order to verify these claims. These verifications revealed that the profitability of each individual Union producer is varying, but on average, the Union producers were incurring losses amounting to – 16,6 % during the period July-December 2014 and returned to a profit of 1,1 % during the period January – May 2015. Therefore, it was concluded that the recovery of the Union industry was modest after the IP. These percentages are the weighted average pre-tax profitability figures of all Union producers, as shown in their respective income statements for the period January - May 2015, expressed as a percentage in relation to their sales in the Union to unrelated customers.

• (115) Following final disclosure, a user association claimed that the Union producers are no longer facing any injurious situation, given that they are running at full speed and are barely able to follow the demand. A user made a similar comment, namely that due to the continuing price increases they would expect to see profit margins exceeding 5 % already during the spring of 2015.

• (116) However, in accordance with Article 6(1) of the basic Regulation, the conclusion on injury was reached on the basis of verified IP data. The collection and verification of post IP data, on the other hand, was done in the framework of the Union interest analysis. The table in recital (170) of the provisional Regulation showed the record high losses and the negative cash flows from the year 2012 onwards.

• Even taking into account post-IP data, the Union industry is still in an injurious situation: the small profits during the period January – May 2015 cannot compensate for the four consecutive years of high-end losses. Furthermore, the injury analysis is based on a number of factors, of which profitability is only one of the many.

• (117) The conclusion that the Union industry was in an injurious situation during the IP is therefore confirmed. In the absence of any other comments regarding the interest of the Union industry, it is concluded that the imposition of anti-dumping duties would be in the interest of the Union industry as it would allow the Union industry to recover from the effects of injurious dumping found.

Interest of unrelated importers

• (118) In the absence of any comments regarding the interest of unrelated importers and traders, recitals (208) to (212) of the provisional Regulation are confirmed.

Interest of users Introduction

• (119) As set out in detail in recitals (5) and (6), additional information on the post-IP developments was collected from users and five major users, which provided extensive information after the imposition of provisional measures, were visited.

• (120) One interested party argued that it accounts for a very large share of the Union transformer industry, consisting of small, medium-sized and large companies producing in most Union Member States. This interested party argued that there are many small and medium-sized companies, which will be hit hardest by measures. In this context, the association representing Italian transformer companies claimed that 60 % of all turnover within Italy is realised by the Italian small and medium-sized transformer companies.

• (121) The claim that there are many small and medium-sized (SME) transformer companies which will be hit the most by measures could not be systematically assessed due to the lack of evidence. However, the allegation seems plausible in view of the information gathered from the five verified users, of which one is a SME.

Shortages in supply and differences in quality

• (122) Following the imposition of the provisional measures, several users stated that the availability of high-permeability types in the Union is limited, and that the situation worsened after the IP. They alleged that this limited availability is due to a growing imbalance between the supply side and the growing demand of users for these particular types of the product concerned. In this context, they further argued that the capacity of the Union industry is insufficient to supply the increasing demand in the Union market and that no other alternative sources are available, apart from the exporting producers. Moreover, they maintained that, despite the strategic decision of the Union producers to start producing proportionally more high permeability than conventional types of the product concerned, such a switch will take time due to the need to build up and further deepen the necessary technical expertise. In addition, some users claimed that any anti-dumping measures adopted against imports from the countries concerned would have a further detrimental impact of the availability of high permeability types in the Union, due to the gap in production capacity and high-end technical capability of the Union producers. In this context, the Union industry argued that there is no legal requirement whatsoever on them to supply the entire Union demand for particular types.

• (123) The post-IP data showed that the Union producers are so far still not able to supply the total demand for all types of high permeability GOES, in particular product types of with a maximum core loss of 0,90 W/kg and below. Furthermore, backlogs in production and delays in deliveries were noted for these types despite earlier agreed upon delivery terms, in particular after the IP. One Korean exporting producer, which was exporting during the IP mainly high-permeability types of the product concerned, ceased its exports to the Union after the IP. The reasons for this stoppage are unknown. Fourthly, it is expected that the demand for top end high permeability types of the product concerned will continue to increase due to the implementation of the first tier of the EcoDesign Regulation which entered into force in July 2015, as set out further from recital (140) onwards.

• (124) With respect to the technical expertise and quality issues, several users commented that, even in cases where the Union industry produced GOES with the required maximum guaranteed low core loss, the product with the similar core loss purchased from the exporting producers is overall of a higher quality in terms of maximum core losses and noise performance.

• (125) Evidence submitted by users, relating to the post-IP period, pointed out to quality issues they have encountered, mainly with Union producers. Those users were able to underpin their claims with evidence, based on in-house statistics and technical checks.

• (126) Following final disclosure, one user argued that the shortage of high permeability types of the product concerned is the direct result of the lack of investments by the Union producers. This user alleged that it is pure speculation whether the EU GOES industry would invest in the production of high grade GOES or not. Another user alleged that it is not credible that the EU producers would now achieve the quality and capacity to serve the needs of the EU users in the short or medium term.

• (127) Following final disclosure, one user alleged that the shortage issue — contrary to the current proceeding — was one of the compelling reasons for not introducing measures in its Union interest assessment in the Polyester Stable Fibres case since the Union industry was not in a position to make the necessary efforts to satisfy the Union demand ([^E0004]).

• (128) The Polyester Staple fibres case and the present case cannot be compared for two reasons. Unlike this proceeding, the complaint was withdrawn in the Polyester Staple fibres case. Consequently, the Union interest test was different. Where the complaint is withdrawn, Article 9(1) provides that the proceeding may be terminated unless such termination would not be in the Union interest. In the present case, Article 21(1) applies which provides that measures, […], may not be applied where the authorities, on the basis of all the information submitted, can clearly conclude that it is not in the Union interest to apply such measures.

• (129) Another difference with the Polyester Staple fibres case was that the Union producers in the Polyester Staple fibres case were converting the product concerned ([^E0005]) into other products (not the product concerned). In the present case, on the contrary, the Union producers are trying to catch up by producing more and more of the higher permeability types.

• (130) The Commission cannot foresee whether the EU producers will achieve the quality and capacity to serve the needs of the EU users in the foreseeable future, in particular concerning the availability of some types of the high-permeability GOES. To foster an industrial policy is not the objective of an anti-dumping investigation though; it only aims at a return to conditions of fair competition between the Union and exporting producers.

• (131) Nevertheless, the verification showed that Union producers have been investing in the production of high permeability types of the product concerned, even though this has been challenging as a result of the difficult economic situation of the Union producers throughout the whole period considered. One producer showed evidence about a new production line of high end GOES put in place in August 2015.

• (132) In view of the above, it is concluded that the availibility of high-permeability types in the Union was limited during the IP, and that the situation worsened after the IP mainly in view of the increasing demand as a result of the entry into force of tier 1 of the EcoDesign Regulation.

Price increases

• (133) An exporting producer alleged that prices of the product concerned after the IP increased in the range of 50 to 70 % compared to the average sales prices of the product concerned during the period considered. Another exporting producer claimed that prices rose between March 2014 and March 2015 by around 30 %, based on public indices. Similar comments were received from many users. For example, one user claimed that prices increased by around 8 and 25 % when comparing prices for the second half of 2014 and the first half of 2015 to the prices during the period considered. Another user argued for instance that the price increases for April 2015 have been more than 45 % for high permeability types of the product concerned and more than 25 % for conventional types, when comparing to June 2014. This user also alleged that this price trend is sustainable and will continue in the short-, mid- and long-term. Many users also alleged that all these price increases would ultimately lead to plant closures, the loss of employment within the Union and relocation of certain operations outside the Union.

• (134) On the other hand, one interested party, though admitting the price increases after the investigation period, alleged that these price increases after the investigation period were still not above the price levels of 2010 and 2011.

• (135) The investigation revealed that alleged price increases in the post-IP period indeed took place. Firstly, on the basis of data from the Union producers, on average, the price increases of the like product amounted to 3 % for the period July – December 2014 and 14 % for the period January – May 2015, when comparing to the actual average prices during the investigation period. Furthermore, on the basis of available data from the cooperating users, price increases of the product concerned of some 30 % were observed, and for some product types even higher, in the post- IP period up to May 2015.

• (136) It was found that prices started rising in the second half of 2014, and continued to rise further during the first half of 2015. These price increases have been noted both for high-permeability and conventional types of the product concerned and the like product. In addition, on the basis of spot checks on certain contracts concluded between users and producers for the second half of 2015, the prices for these orders are expected to be between 22 % and 53,5 % higher than during the investigation period.

• (137) In view of the above, it is concluded that price increases have been noted in the post-IP period (up to May 2015), both for high permeability types and for conventional types of the product concerned and the like product. Furthermore, as explained in recital (133) above, prices are expected to further increase during the second half of 2015.

Competitiveness of the Union users

• (138) As set out in recital (228) of the provisional Regulation, GOES as an input material accounts for about 6-13 % of the full cost to build a transformer, based on data and price levels in the IP. One exporting producer and several users challenged these percentages, stating that they appear to be significantly understated, even for the IP where the prices of GOES were much lower than in the post-IP period. In addition, all users alleged that the prices started to increase significantly after the end of the investigation period. The percentage of 6-13 % was based on data provided by cooperating users, which was subsequently verified and therefore rightly mentioned in the provisional Regulation. Nevertheless, the Commission acknowledges that, even though the precise percentage of the cost of GOES depends on the type of transformer, the increase of the price of GOES after the IP logically results in an increase of the costs to build a transformer, which will affect the competitive position of the Union transformer producers. Nevertheless, the transformer producers outside the Union are also affected in their competitiveness due to the same trend of increasing prices from the second half of 2014 onwards for GOES in markets such as the PRC, India, and North America, onwards, as is the case in the Union market.

Conclusion on the users' interest

• (139) The Commission accepts the claims that the imposition of measures would lead to a further price increase of GOES, at the expense of the users. It also concludes that the competitiveness of the user industry would be even more negatively affected if measures were to be imposed in the form of an ad valorem duty, in view of the significant price increases which occurred after the investigation period.

Other factors

• (140) As set out in recital (233) of the provisional Regulation, Tier 1 of the EcoDesign Regulation became applicable from 1 July 2015 and covers the new EcoDesign requirements with regard to small, medium and large power transformers aiming to enhance their energy efficiency.

• (141) Subsequent to the provisional disclosure, several users commented as follows. Firstly, the implementation of Tier 1 leads to a higher demand of high permeability types of GOES within the Union, in particular of types of GOES with a maximum core loss of 0,90 W/kg and below. Secondly, the trend to procure high permeability types with the lowest core losses is most likely irreversible since tier 2 (with even more strict requirements from 2021) will trigger further demand for high permeability types. Thirdly, other countries worldwide (such as the PRC, India etc.) are also implementing similar energy efficiency requirements, leading to a high demand of high permeability types of GOES on a global level. Fourthly, even if it is true that Tier 1 can, to a certain extent, be met with using conventional types of GOES, this would trigger additional costs to the detriment of the users, since a different, more voluminous transformer needs to be designed, requiring substantially more input of engineering, labour and material. In some cases, the product specification for a given transformer would not allow using conventional types of GOES at all.

• (142) The Commission considered that this increasing demand, not only within the Union but worldwide, is most likely to further negatively impact the availability of high permeability types, in particular with a maximum core loss of 0,90 W/kg and below, leading most likely to further price increases. It is therefore in the public interest of the European Union, as reflected in legally binding product standards, to ensure the sufficient supply of high permeability types for producing and marketing transformers in the Union, irrespective of their origin.