Next week the European Commission will announce the definitive anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on the e-bike import from China. It ends a legal proceeding which took over 15 months. With the 19 January 2019 statutory deadline approaching the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA) fills in the final details, as explained to Bike Europe in a recent interview with Secretary General Moreno Fioravanti.

In this, in last December’s Bike Europe print edition published, interview EBMA’s SG points out what the possibilities are for stakeholders and individual companies to appeal to the final decision made by the European Commission and to appeal to the imposed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures. Furthermore, he reacts on the view that anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on China made e-bikes is seen as contradictory to the EU strategy to get more people cycling. Next to that he clarifies EBMA’s mandate on the representation of the EU bicycle industry regarding this case which has repeatedly been questioned by other stakeholders. Here’s a shortened version of this interview.

What can stakeholders do if they disagree with the European Commission’s decision to impose anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on e-bikes imported from China?

“Once the definitive anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures haven been announced and imposed everybody who disagrees can take its case to the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxemburg. They are the one and only organization for individuals, companies or organizations to take action against an EU institution, if they feel somehow infringed in their rights.”

Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on China made e-bikes is seen as contradictory to the EU strategy to get more people cycling. The import duties would make e-bikes more expensive. What is your comment?

“We have a full consensus with the European Commission on cycling as green mobility and the importance of getting more people cycling. Sustainability is also very important for the European Commission. The re-shoring of e-bikes will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of e-bikes sold on the European market. A study by the Politecnico Milano has demonstrated that e-bikes made in China produce up to 123 kg more CO2 and other dangerous emissions than the same bicycle made in the European Union. We filed the complaint last year as we want to create a level playing field for all e-bike manufacturers. Obviously, the differences in product pricing was and still is an important aspect. But it also includes the compliance with all regulations set by the European Commission like REACH and the legislation on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. We are convinced that the European industry can easily supply the quantities needed with the required high quality and safety for the EU Consumers.”

EBMA’s mandate in the bicycle industry regarding this dumping case has been questioned by other stakeholders. What is your comment?

“EBMA is representing companies in the bicycle, e-bike and component industry. Today we have more than 100 hundred paying members and we represent some 50 percent of the European bicycle and e-bike production. This was acknowledged by the European Commission. About five years ago we had about 15 members. But times have changed, and we have seen a steady growth in the number of members since then. All our efforts are aimed at saving the more than 90,000 jobs direct and indirect in the bicycle and e-bike industry at some 800 SME’s in Europe. Fortunately, we already see a rise in the number of jobs as European importers who used to source in China now order their e-bikes at OEM assemblers in Europe.”