As a result of today's vote, the Commission will conduct a full review to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on polychloroprene rubber from Japan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. The Commission's review in this case will be completed no later than July 29, 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 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 information with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order as well as other industry data. 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 6-0 vote. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg, Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller, and Commissioners Carol T. Crawford, Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, and Thelma J. Askey concluded that responses were adequate and therefore voted for a full 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. In addition, a statement by Chairman Bragg is available from the Secretary's Office.

The record of the Commission's vote and the statement of Chairman Bragg are also posted on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov (under "Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews"/"Five-Year Reviews Listing"/"Polychloroprene Rubber from Japan").