Commission Regulation (EC) No 469/2005 of 23 March 2005 continuing prior Community surveillance of imports of certain iron and steel products originating in certain third countries

• Published date: 06 October 2006
• Subject Matter: Commercial policy,Steel industry

24.3.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 78/12

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 469/2005

of 23 March 2005

continuing prior Community surveillance of imports of certain iron and steel products originating in certain third countries

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 of 22 December 1994 on common rules for imports and repealing Regulation (EC) No 518/94 (1) and in particular Article 11 thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 519/94 of 7 March 1994 on common rules for imports from certain third countries and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 1765/82, (EEC) No 1766/82 and (EEC) No 3420/83 (2), and in particular Article 9 thereof,

After consultations with the Advisory Committees,

Whereas:

(1) By Regulation (EC) No 76/2002 (3) the Commission introduced prior Community surveillance of imports of certain iron and steel products originating in third countries. That Regulation was amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1337/2002 (4) so as to extend the scope of the surveillance, and by Commission Regulation (EC) 2385/2002 (5).

(2) The Community’s external trade statistics are not available within the periods established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1917/2000 (6).

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

(4) Since 2003, China’s market has been the key driver of the very important increase in the demand for steel products. However, China has been increasing its production capacity at a very accelerated pace. China’s production of crude steel has been increased from 129 million tonnes in 2000 to 270 million tonnes in 2004, moving from a world share of 15,4 % to 26,2 % over the same period, and further production capacities are being added that could bring China’s capacity up to 300 million tonnes in 2005. Imports into China totalled about 37 million tonnes in 2003 and 29 million tonnes in 2004. For the same years, exports totalled about 7 million tonnes and 14 million tonnes. Net imports therefore moved from about 30 million tonnes in 2003 to 15 million tonnes in 2004, thus 15 million tonnes more were on offer and had to find

...