China has issued a request to the World Trade Organization for consultation over anti-dumping duties extended by the union on Chinese-made leather footwear. The move means China has formally entered the WTO Dispute Settlement System, or DSU.

According to the DSU, China and the EU have 60 days for consultations. If those fail, China can request the WTO set up an expert group to further investigate the dispute. From 1995 to 2005, the EU introduced a long-term import quota on Chinese-made leather shoes.

Since October 2006, the EU began another two-year levy of anti-dumping duties. Last December, EU governments approved a 15-month extension of duties on Chinese footwear imports.