It was reported that the European Commission has received a complaint on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community alleging that imports of certain fasteners of iron or steel, originating in the People's Republic of China are being dumped and are thereby causing material injury to the Community industry.

The investigation will determine whether the product concerned originating in the People's Republic of China is being dumped and whether this dumping has caused injury. The investigation will be concluded, within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The complaint was lodged on September 26th 2007 by the European Industrial Fasteners Institute on behalf of producers representing a major proportion, in this case more than 25 %, of the total Community production of certain fasteners of iron or steel.

The product allegedly being dumped is certain iron or steel fasteners, other than of stainless steel ie wood screws excluding coach screws, self tapping screws, other screws and bolts with heads whether or not with their nuts or washers, but excluding screws turned from bars, rods, profiles or wire, of solid section, of shank thickness not exceeding 6 mm and excluding screws and bolts for fixing railway track construction material and washers, originating in the People's Republic of China normally declared within CN codes 7318 12 90, 7318 14 91, 7318 14 99,7318 15 59, 7318 15 69, 7318 15 81, 7318 15 89, 7318 15 90, 7318 21 00 and 7318 22 00.