./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/ADP/AHG/W/22/Rev.1
5 August 1998
(98-3092)
Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices
Ad Hoc Group on Implementation
DRAFT RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING
THE PERIOD OF DATA COLLECTION FOR A DUMPING INVESTIGATION
Revision
The Committee notes that although the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the
GATT 1994 refers to the period of data collection for dumping investigations when it refers to the
"period of investigation", it does not establish any specific period of investigation,1  nor does it
establish guidelines for determining an appropria te period of investigation, for the examination of
either dumping or injury.
The Committee considers that guidelines for determining what period or periods of data
collection may be appropriate for the examination of dumping and of injury would be useful.  TheCommittee also recognizes, however, that it is impor tant that national investigating authorities retain
flexibility in order to be able to take account of the particular circumstances of a given investigation in
setting the period of data collection for both dumping and injury, to ensure that it is appropriate in
each case.
In light of the foregoing considerations, the Committee recommends:
1. As a general rule:
(a) the period of data collection for dumping determinations should be no less than six
months;
1
(b) the period for investigating sales below cost, and the period of data collection for
dumping determinations, should be the same period in a particular investigation;
(c) the period of data collection for injury determinations should be three years;
(d) the period of data collection for both dumping and injury determinations should
include the most recent data available; and
(e) Members should, if possible, consider the views of interested parties concerning the
appropriate specific periods in a particular investigation.
                                                     
1 Footnote 4 of the Agreement does provide that, for purposes of determining whether sales below cost
may be treated as not being in the ordinary course of trade, the "extended period of time" within which suchsales are made "should normally be one year but shall in no case be less than six months".  Thus, for purposes of
investigating sales below cost, data covering a pe riod of at least six months must be collected.G/ADP/AHG/W/22/Rev.1
Page 2
2. In establishing the specific periods in a particular investigation, Members should consider the
availability of data, and particularly accounting data, in the records of the firms from which
information will be sought , such firms' practices concerning financial reporting periods, the
characteristics of the product in question, including seasonality and cyclicality, and the existence of
special order or customized sales .
3. In establishing the specific periods in a particular investigation, Members should consider
linking the period of investigation to the date of initiation in order to ensure that the most recent
available data are sought.
4. In order to increase transparency of proceedin gs, investigating authorities should explain the
selection of a particular period for data collection if it differs from that provided for in thisrecommendation; from that provided for in national legislation, regulation, or established national
guidelines; or from that selected in other cases.
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