[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52324-52329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18592]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-427-831, A-588-879, A-469-822]


Methionine From France, Japan, and Spain: Initiation of Less-
Than-Fair-Value Investigations

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.


DATES: Applicable August 18, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zachary Shaykin at (202) 482-2638 
(France); Robert Scully at (202) 482-0572 (Japan); and Elizabeth Bremer 
at (202) 482-4987 (Spain); AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and 
Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petitions

    On July 29, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) received 
antidumping duty (AD) petitions

[[Page 52325]]

concerning imports of methionine from France, Japan, and Spain filed in 
proper form on behalf of Novus International, Inc. (the petitioner), a 
domestic producer of methionine.\1\
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    \1\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of 
Antidumping Duties: Methionine from France, Japan, and Spain,'' 
dated July 29, 2020 (Petitions).
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    On August 3, 7, and 12, 2020, Commerce requested supplemental 
information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions in separate 
supplemental questionnaires and in phone calls.\2\ The petitioner filed 
responses to these requests on August 5, 6, 11, and 13, 2020.\3\
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    \2\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Methionine from France, Japan, and 
Spain--Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping Duties: 
Supplemental Questions,'' dated August 3, 2020 (General Issues 
Supplemental); and Country-Specific Supplemental Questionnaires: 
``Methionine from France--Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping 
Duties: Supplemental Questions'' (France AD Supplemental); 
``Methionine from Japan--Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping 
Duties: Supplemental Questions'' (Japan AD Supplemental); and 
``Methionine from Spain--Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping 
Duties: Supplemental Questions'' (Spain AD Supplemental), dated 
August 3, 2020; Memorandum, ``Telephone Call with the Petitioners 
Regarding Antidumping Duty Petitions on Methionine from France, 
Japan, and Spain,'' dated August 7, 2020 (August 7, 2020 
Memorandum); and Memorandum, ``Telephone Call with the Petitioners 
Regarding Antidumping Duty Petitions on Methionine from France, 
Japan, and Spain,'' dated August 12, 2020 (August 12, 2020 
Memorandum).
    \3\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Methionine from France, Japan, 
and Spain: Response to General Issues Questionnaire,'' dated August 
5, 2020 (First General Issues Supplement); see also Petitioner's 
Letters, ``Methionine from France: Response to Supplemental 
Questions'' dated August 6, 2020 (France AD Supplement); 
``Methionine from Japan: Response to Supplemental Questions'' dated 
August 6, 2020 (Japan AD Supplement); and ``Methionine from Spain: 
Response to Supplemental Questions'' dated August 6, 2020 (Spain AD 
Supplement); Petitioner's Letter, ``Methionine from France, Japan, 
and Spain: Response to Scope Request,'' dated August 11, 2020 
(Second General Issues Supplement); and Petitioner's Letter, 
``Methionine from France, Japan, and Spain: Response to Scope 
Request,'' dated August 13, 2020 (Third General Issues Supplement).
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    In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that imports of methionine 
from France, Japan, and Spain are being, or are likely to be, sold in 
the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) within the meaning of 
section 731 of the Act, and that imports of such products are 
materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the methionine 
industry in the United States. Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the 
Act, the Petitions are accompanied by information reasonably available 
to the petitioner supporting its allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petitions on behalf of 
the domestic industry, because the petitioner is an interested party, 
as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that 
the petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support for the 
initiation of the requested LTFV investigations.\4\
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    \4\ See infra, section on ``Determination of Industry Support 
for the Petitions.''
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Periods of Investigation

    Because the Petitions were filed on July 29, 2020, the period of 
investigation for these LTFV investigations is July 1, 2019 through 
June 30, 2020, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).\5\
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    \5\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).
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Scope of the Investigations

    The products covered by these investigations are methionine from 
France, Japan, and Spain. For a full description of the scope of these 
investigations, see the appendix to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigations

    On August 3, 7, and 12, 2020, Commerce requested further 
information from the petitioner regarding the proposed scope to ensure 
that the scope language in the Petitions is an accurate reflection of 
the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief.\6\ On 
August 5, 11, and 13, 2020, the petitioner revised the scope.\7\ The 
description of merchandise covered by these investigations, as 
described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these 
clarifications.
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    \6\ See General Issues Supplemental at 1-3.
    \7\ See First General Issues Supplement at Exhibit I-21; see 
also Second General Issues Supplement at Exhibit I-24; and Third 
General Issues Supplement at Exhibit I-24.
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    As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are 
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding 
product coverage (i.e., scope).\8\ Commerce will consider all comments 
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with 
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary 
determinations. If scope comments include factual information,\9\ all 
such factual information should be limited to public information. To 
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that 
all interested parties submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
(ET) on September 8, 2020, which is the next business day after 20 
calendar days from the signature date of this notice.\10\ Any rebuttal 
comments, which may include factual information, must be filed by 5:00 
p.m. ET on September 18, 2020, which is ten calendar days from the 
initial comment deadline.
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    \8\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \10\ In this case, 20 calendar days falls on September 7, 2020, 
a federal holiday. Where a deadline falls on a weekend or a federal 
holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next business day. See 
Notice of Clarification: Application of ``Next Business Day'' Rule 
for Administrative Determination Deadlines Pursuant to the Tariff 
Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 2005).
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    Commerce requests that any factual information that parties 
consider relevant to the scope of these investigations be submitted 
during this period. However, if a party subsequently finds that 
additional factual information pertaining to the scope of these 
investigations may be relevant, the party may contact Commerce and 
request permission to submit the additional information. All such 
submissions must be filed on the records of each of the concurrent AD 
investigations.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception 
applies.\11\ An electronically filed document must be received 
successfully in its entirety by the time and date on which it is due.
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    \11\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order 
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and 
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046 
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing 
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on help using 
ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a 
handbook can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook_on_Electronic_Filing_Procedures.pdf.
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Comments on Product Characteristics

    Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment 
on the appropriate physical characteristics of methionine to be 
reported in response to Commerce's questionnaires. This information 
will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the 
subject merchandise in order to report the relevant costs of production 
accurately, as well as to develop appropriate product-comparison 
criteria.
    Interested parties may provide any information or comments that 
they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of 
physical characteristics. Specifically, they may provide comments as to 
which characteristics are appropriate to use as: (1) General product 
characteristics, and (2) product

[[Page 52326]]

comparison criteria. We note that it is not always appropriate to use 
all product characteristics as product comparison criteria. We base 
product comparison criteria on meaningful commercial differences among 
products. In other words, although there may be some physical product 
characteristics utilized by manufacturers to describe methionine, it 
may be that only a select few product characteristics take into account 
commercially meaningful physical characteristics. In addition, 
interested parties may comment on the order in which the physical 
characteristics should be used in matching products. Generally, 
Commerce attempts to list the most important physical characteristics 
first and the least important characteristics last.
    In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in 
developing and issuing the AD questionnaires, all product 
characteristics comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 8, 
2020, which is the next business day after 20 calendar days from the 
signature date of this notice.\12\ Any rebuttal comments must be filed 
by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 18, 2020. All comments and submissions to 
Commerce must be filed electronically using ACCESS, as explained above, 
on the record of each of the LTFV investigations.
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    \12\ See Next Business Day Rule, 70 FR 24533.
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions

    Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act 
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic 
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least 
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and 
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like 
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support 
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of 
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) 
Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if 
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or 
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling 
method to poll the ``industry.''
    Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the 
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine 
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute 
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the 
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which 
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has 
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like 
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the 
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic 
like product,\13\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination 
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may 
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences 
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\14\
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    \13\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \14\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT 
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F. 
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F. 2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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    Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a 
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in 
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation 
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic 
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an 
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be 
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the 
petition).
    With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioner does not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the investigations.\15\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that methionine, as defined 
in the scope, constitutes a single domestic like product, and we have 
analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\16\
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    \15\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-10-I-12 and Exhibits I-
4, I-7 and I-9; see also First General Issues Supplement at 4; 
Second General Issues Supplement at 2-4 and Exhibit I-24; and Third 
General Issues Supplement at Exhibit I-24.
    \16\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support, 
see country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II, 
Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping Duty Petitions 
Covering Methionine from France, Japan, and Spain (Attachment II). 
These checklists are dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, 
this notice and on file electronically via ACCESS.
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    In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section 
732(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data 
contained in the Petitions with reference to the domestic like product 
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix to 
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its 
own production of the domestic like product in 2019 and the estimated 
production capacity of the only other known U.S. producer of 
methionine.\17\ We relied on data provided by the petitioner for 
purposes of measuring industry support.\18\
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    \17\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-2-I-3 and Exhibits I-1 
and I-3; see also First General Issues Supplement at 4 and Exhibit 
I-23.
    \18\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-2-I-3 and Exhibits I-1 
and I-3; see also First General Issues Supplement at 4 and Exhibit 
I-23 and country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II.
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    Our review of the data provided in the Petitions, the General 
Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce 
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the 
Petitions.\19\ First, the Petitions established support from domestic 
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total 
production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not 
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support 
(e.g., polling).\20\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have 
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 
732(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) 
who support the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of the total 
production of the domestic like product.\21\ Finally, the domestic 
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry 
support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic 
producers (or workers) who support the Petitions account for more than 
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by 
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, 
the Petitions.\22\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petitions 
were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of 
section 732(b)(1) of the Act.\23\
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    \19\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment 
II.
    \20\ Id.; see also section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
    \21\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment 
II.
    \22\ Id.
    \23\ Id.
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Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioner alleges that the U.S. industry producing the 
domestic like product is being materially injured, or is threatened 
with material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject 
merchandise sold at LTFV. In addition,

[[Page 52327]]

the petitioner alleges that subject imports exceed the negligibility 
threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\24\
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    \24\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 16-17 and Exhibit I-2.
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    The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by a significant and increasing volume of subject imports; 
underselling and price depression and suppression; declines in 
production and capacity utilization; negative impact on employment 
variables; declining profitability and operating income margin; and a 
cancelled business expansion project.\25\ We assessed the allegations 
and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material 
injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined 
that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and 
meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\26\
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    \25\ See Volume I of the Petitions at I-13, I-15 through I-30 
and Exhibits I-1, I-2, I-7, I-9, and I-12 through I-18; see also 
First General Issues Supplement at 5 and Exhibit I-20.
    \26\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment 
III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and 
Causation for the Antidumping Duty Petitions Covering Methionine 
from France, Japan, and Spain.
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Allegations of Sales at LTFV

    The following is a description of the allegations of sales at LTFV 
upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate these LTFV 
investigations of imports of methionine from the France, Japan, and 
Spain. The sources of data for the deductions and adjustments relating 
to U.S. price and normal value (NV) are discussed in greater detail in 
the country-specific AD Initiation Checklists.

U.S. Price

    For France, Japan, and Spain, the petitioner based export price 
(EP) on the average unit values of publicly available import data. The 
petitioner made certain adjustments to U.S. price to calculate a net 
ex-factory U.S. price.\27\
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    \27\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists.
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Normal Value 28
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    \28\ In accordance with section 773(b)(2) of the Act, for these 
investigations, Commerce will request information necessary to 
calculate the constructed value and cost of production (COP) to 
determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect 
that sales of the foreign like product have been made at prices that 
represent less than the COP of the product.
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    For France, Japan, and Spain, the petitioner based NV on a home 
market price quote obtained through market research for methionine 
offered for sale in each country within the applicable time period.\29\ 
For France and Spain, the petitioners made certain adjustments to those 
prices to calculate an ex-factory home market price, in accordance with 
section 773 of the Act.\30\
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    \29\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists.
    \30\ Id.
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Fair Value Comparisons

    Based on the data provided by the petitioner, there is reason to 
believe that imports of methionine from France, Japan, and Spain are 
being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. Based on 
comparisons of EP to NV in accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the 
Act, the estimated dumping margins for methionine for each of the 
countries covered by this initiation are as follows: (1) France--16.17 
percent; (2) Japan--104.23 percent; and (3) Spain--36.22 percent.\31\
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    \31\ Id.
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Initiation of LTFV Investigations

    Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental 
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 732 of 
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating these LTFV investigations to 
determine whether imports of methionine from France, Japan, and Spain 
are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. In 
accordance with section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary 
determinations no later than 140 days after the date of this 
initiation.

Respondent Selection

    In the Petitions, the petitioner identified one known producer/
exporter, Adisseo France S.A.S., in France; one known producer/
exporter, Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, in Japan; and one known 
producer/exporter, Adisseo Espa[ntilde]a, in Spain.\32\ However, the 
petitioner noted that because some methionine is sold by 
distributors,\33\ there may be other exporters of methionine in France, 
Japan, and Spain that are not known to the petitioner.\34\
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    \32\ See Volume I of the Petitions at Exhibit I-8.
    \33\ See First General Issues Supplemental at 1.
    \34\ Id.
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    Therefore, following standard practice in LTFV investigations 
involving market economy countries, Commerce intends to select 
mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
data for U.S. imports under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
of the United States numbers listed in the ``Scope of the 
Investigations,'' in the appendix.
    On August 17, 2020, Commerce released CBP data on imports of 
methionine from France, Japan, and Spain under Administrative 
Protective Order (APO) to all parties with access to information 
protected by APO, and indicated that interested parties wishing to 
comment on the CBP data must do so within three business days of the 
publication date of this notice of initiation of these 
investigations.\35\ Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments 
regarding the CBP data or respondent selection.
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    \35\ See Memoranda, ``Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping 
Duties on Imports of Methionine from France: Release of Customs Data 
from U.S. Customs and Border Protection;'' ``Petition for the 
Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of Methionine from 
Japan: Release of Customs Data from U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection;'' and ``Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping 
Duties on Imports of Methionine from Spain: Release of Customs Data 
from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,'' all dated August 17, 
2020.
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    Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An 
electronically-filed document must be received successfully in its 
entirety by ACCESS, by 5:00 p.m. ET on the specified deadline. 
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such 
applications may be found on Commerce's website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.

Distribution of Copies of the Petitions

    In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), copies of the public version of the Petitions have been 
provided to the governments of France, Japan, and Spain via ACCESS. To 
the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public 
version of the AD Petitions to each exporter named in the AD Petitions, 
as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

    We will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 
732(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determinations by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the AD Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of methionine from France, Japan, and/or Spain 
are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. 
industry.\36\ A negative ITC determination for any country will result 
in the investigation being terminated with respect to that

[[Page 52328]]

country.\37\ Otherwise, these LTFV investigations will proceed 
according to statutory and regulatory time limits.
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    \36\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
    \37\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual 
information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's 
regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to 
specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information 
is being submitted \38\ and, if the information is submitted to rebut, 
clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to 
provide an explanation identifying the information already on the 
record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or 
correct.\39\ Time limits for the submission of factual information are 
addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based 
on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties 
should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information 
in these investigations.
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    \38\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
    \39\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Particular Market Situation Allegation

    Section 773(e) of the Act addresses the concept of particular 
market situation (PMS) for purposes of CV, stating that ``if a 
particular market situation exists such that the cost of materials and 
fabrication or other processing of any kind does not accurately reflect 
the cost of production in the ordinary course of trade, the 
administering authority may use another calculation methodology under 
this subtitle or any other calculation methodology.'' When an 
interested party submits a PMS allegation pursuant to section 773(e) of 
the Act, Commerce will respond to such a submission consistent with 19 
CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v). If Commerce finds that a PMS exists under section 
773(e) of the Act, then it will modify its dumping calculations 
appropriately.
    Neither section 773(e) of the Act, nor 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v), set 
a deadline for the submission of PMS allegations and supporting factual 
information. However, in order to administer section 773(e) of the Act, 
Commerce must receive PMS allegations and supporting factual 
information with enough time to consider the submission. Thus, should 
an interested party wish to submit a PMS allegation and supporting new 
factual information pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, it must do 
so no later than 20 days after submission of a respondent's initial 
section D questionnaire response.

Extensions of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as 
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will 
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time 
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are due 
from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be 
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. 
Under certain circumstances, we may elect to specify a different time 
limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for 
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such 
a case, we will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the 
deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must 
be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in 
a separate, stand-alone submission; under limited circumstances we will 
grant untimely-filed requests for the extension of time limits. Parties 
should review Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 
(September 20, 2013), available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to submitting factual information 
in these investigations.

Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or countervailing 
duty (CVD) proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of 
that information.\40\ Parties must use the certification formats 
provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g).\41\ Commerce intends to reject factual 
submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable 
certification requirements.
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    \40\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \41\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule). Answers to 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule are available at 
http://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
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Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, Commerce 
published Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Documents 
Submission Procedures; APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January 22, 2008). 
Parties wishing to participate in these investigations should ensure 
that they meet the requirements of these procedures (e.g., the filing 
of letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)). Note that 
Commerce has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for 
serving documents containing business proprietary information, until 
further notice.\42\
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    \42\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements 
Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 
10, 2020).
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    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 732(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: August 18, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigations

    The merchandise covered by these investigations is methionine 
and dl-Hydroxy analogue of dl-methionine, also known as 2-Hydroxy 4-
(Methylthio) Butanoic acid (HMTBa), regardless of purity, particle 
size, grade, or physical form. Methionine has the chemical formula 
C5H11NO2S, liquid HMTBa has the 
chemical formula C5H10O3S, and dry 
HMTBa has the chemical formula 
(C5H9O3S)2Ca.
    Subject merchandise also includes methionine processed in a 
third country including, but not limited to, refining, converting 
from liquid to dry or dry to liquid form, or any other processing 
that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of 
these investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of 
the in-scope methionine or dl-Hydroxy analogue of dl-methionine.
    The scope also includes methionine that is commingled (i.e., 
mixed or combined) with methionine from sources not subject to these 
investigations. Only the subject component of such commingled 
products is covered by the scope of these investigations.
    Excluded from these investigations is United States 
Pharmacopoeia (USP) grade methionine. In order to qualify for this 
exclusion, USP grade methionine must meet or exceed all of the 
chemical, purity, performance, and labeling requirements of the 
United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary for USP grade 
methionine.
    Methionine is currently classified under subheadings 
2930.40.0000 and 2930.90.4600 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (HTSUS). Methionine has the

[[Page 52329]]

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry numbers 583-91-5, 4857-44-
7, 59-51-8 and 922-50-9. While the HTSUS subheadings and CAS 
registry numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, 
the written description of the scope of these investigations is 
dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2020-18592 Filed 8-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P