(4)

The product subject to this investigation are certain cellulose ethers, namely methyl cellulose (CAS number 9004-67-5), hydroxyethyl cellulose (CAS number 9004-62-0 and 80455-45-4), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (CAS number 9032-42-2), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (CAS number 9004-65-3), ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (CAS number 9004-58-4) and methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (CAS number 71714-29-9), regardless of colour, physical form, or grade (‘the product under investigation’), currently classified under CN code ex 3912 39 85 (TARIC codes 3912 39 85 30, 3912 39 85 60, 3912 39 85 70, 3912 39 85 71, 3912 39 85 72, 3912 39 85 73, 3912 39 85 74 and 3912 39 85 75) and originating in the People’s Republic of China and in the Republic of Korea.

(5)

Under Article 14(5) of the basic Regulation, imports of the product concerned may be made subject to registration.

(6)

The purpose of registration is to ensure that anti-dumping duties, if any, can be levied retroactively on the imports subject to registration in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, if the necessary conditions are met.

(7)

The Commission has decided to make imports of the product concerned subject to registration on its own initiative under Article 14(5) of the basic Regulation. The conditions for retroactive collection of duties, if any, will be assessed in the regulation imposing definitive duties.

(8)

Any future liability would emanate from the findings of the anti-dumping investigation.

(9)

The calculations provided in the complaint requesting the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation estimate dumping margins at between 120 % and 130 % for China and at between 45 % and 55 % for Korea. The calculations provided in the complaint requesting the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation estimate injury elimination level at between 120 % and 140 % for China and at between 40 % and 60 % for Korea. The amount of possible future liability would normally be set at the lower of the dumping or injury level according to Article 9(4) of the basic Regulation.

(10)

If, during the investigation, the Commission finds evidence of raw material distortions pursuant to Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation, the amount of possible future liability would be set at the level of the dumping margin as provided for in Article 7(2b) of the basic Regulation if it is concluded that a duty lower than the margin of dumping would not be sufficient to remove the injury suffered by the Union industry.

(11)

However, at this stage the Commission is not in a position to estimate the amount of possible future liability. Thus, the amounts mentioned in the complaint are only for information purposes and cannot create any expectations as to the actual level of liability which will be established as a result of the investigation.

(12)

Any personal data collected in the context of this registration will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3),