The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today voted to conduct a full five-year ("sunset") review concerning the antidumping duty order on anhydrous sodium metasilicate from France (Inv. No. 731-TA-25 (Review)).

As a result of today's vote, the Commission will conduct a full review to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on anhydrous sodium metasilicate from France would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission's review in this case will be completed no later than September 27, 1999, unless extended.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (ITC). Reviews of outstanding antidumping and countervailing duty orders in existence as of January 1, 1995, began in July 1998.

The Commission's institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the ITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission's determination to conduct a full review resulted from a 3-3 vote. Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman and Stephen Koplan concluded that both domestic and respondent group responses in this review were inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg and Commissioners Carol T. Crawford and Thelma J. Askey concluded that both domestic and respondent group responses in this review were inadequate and voted for an expedited review.

A record of the Commission's vote on this matter is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

The record of the Commission's vote is also posted on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov (under "Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews"/"Five-Year Reviews Listing"/"Anhydrous Sodium Metasilicate from France").