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The EU filed a Notice of Appeal on 9 September regarding the compliance report in the dispute “European Communities – Definitive Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Iron or Steel Fasteners from China, Recourse to Article 21.5 of the DSU by China” (WT/DS397).

Further information will be available in the next few days in document WT/DSB397/21.

Parties to a dispute can appeal a panel's ruling. Appeals have to be based on points of law, such as legal interpretation — they cannot re-open factual findings made by the panel. Each appeal is heard by three members of a permanent seven-member Appellate Body comprising persons of recognized authority and unaffiliated with any government. The Appellate Body membership broadly represents the geographic range of WTO membership, with each member appointed for a fixed term. Generally, the Appellate Body has up to 3 months to conclude its report.