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News Release 16-147
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1030
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain high-potency sweeteners, processes for making same, and products containing same. The products at issue in the investigation are sweeteners for human consumption, such as acesulfame potassium sweeteners.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Celanese International Corporation and Celanese Sales U.S. Ltd. of Irving, TX, and Celanese IP Hungary Bt of Budapest, Hungary, on October 26, 2016. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain high-potency sweeteners, processes for making same, and products containing same that allegedly infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative, a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Suzhou Hope Technology Co., Ltd., of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China;
Anhui Jinhe Industrial Co., Ltd., of Anhui, China; and
Vitasweet Co., Ltd., of Beijing, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1030), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.