EU launches probe into Taiwan's solar product exporters

31/05/2015 12:00 - 576 Views

The European Union has launched an investigation into solar product exporters from Taiwan and Malaysia to determine whether China has been using the two countries to skirt the financial penalties imposed by the EU against dumping and subsidies, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The probe was requested by German solar panel maker Solarworld on April 15. The company said that it has presented sufficient evidence to the EU to show that China's solar panel makers shipped their panels through Taiwan and Malaysia to evade EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.

After the investigation was launched, Taiwanese and Malaysian exporters of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules will have to register their sales in the EU, and if the probe determines they did violate the EU rules, the EU will impose punitive tariffs on the companies dating back to the date of registration.

However, the ministry said that Taiwanese solar product exporters are allowed to present evidence to the EU within 37 days to clarify that they have not violated anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulations in the continent and have not been involved in alleged illegal transshipments by China.

The ministry said that Taiwanese firms will be able to apply for immunity from being investigated, while presenting evidence to dispute the allegations.

The ministry said that solar panel export firms and related groups are urged to present written documents to the EU to defend themselves, while Taiwanese firms have been advised to seek investigation immunity as soon as possible.

The ministry said that the Bureau of Foreign Trade will provide necessary information and assistance to Taiwanese exporters to help them go through the difficult time.

The investigation, launched on Friday, is expected to be completed in nine months.

According to a Bloomberg report, the EU's decision to launch an investigation dealt a blow to a 2013 EU-China agreement aimed at curbing European imports of Chinese solar panels.

The 2013 agreement imposed a minimum price and a volume limit on European imports of the renewable-energy technology until the end of this year, the report said, adding that Chinese manufacturers which opted to take part in the pact were spared the EU's financial burdens resulting from anti-dumping and anti-subsidy rules.

Source: WantChinaTimes