INTRODUCTION

1.1 On 31 July 2009, the People's Republic of China ("China") requested consultations with the European Communities (the "EC") pursuant to Articles and 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (the "DSU"), Article XXIII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (the "GATT 1994") and Article 17.3 of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (the "AD Agreement") with respect to, but not necessarily limited to, Article 9(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on Protection against Dumped Imports from Countries not Members of the European Community, as amended, and Council Regulation (EC) No. 91/2009 of 26 January 2009 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain iron or steel fasteners originating in the People's Republic of China.

1.2 On 12 October 2009, China requested, pursuant to Articles 4 and 6 of the DSU, Article XXIII:2 of the GATT 1994 and Article 17.4 of the AD Agreement, that the Dispute Settlement Body ("DSB") establish a Panel with regard to the following measures:

1.3 At its meeting on 23 October 2009, the DSB established a panel pursuant to the request of China in document WT/DS397/3, in accordance with Article 6 of the DSU.