Article 1

An investigation is hereby initiated pursuant to Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 384/96, in order to determine if imports into the Community of certain ring binder mechanisms, falling within CN code ex 8305 10 00 (TARIC code 8305 10 00 13 and 8305 10 00 23), consigned from Lao People’s Democratic Republic, whether declared as originating in Lao People’s Democratic Republic or not, are circumventing the measures imposed by Regulation (EC) No 2074/2004.

For the purpose of this Regulation, ring binder mechanisms shall consist of two rectangular steel sheets or wires with at least four half rings made of steel wire fixed on it and which are kept together by a steel cover. They can be opened either by pulling the half rings or with a small steel-made trigger mechanism fixed to the ring binder mechanism.