WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday set final dumping and subsidy rates on imported calcium hypochlorite from China, signaling that it may impose punitive duties on the products.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its final determination around Jan. 22, 2015.

If the ITC reaches an affirmative final determination that these products materially injure or threaten material injury to the U.S. industry, the Commerce Department would issue anti-dumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders. Otherwise, the investigations will be terminated.

The Commerce Department launched the anti-dumping and countervailing duties probes over Chinese calcium hypochlorite products in January requested by Arch Chemicals based in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Calcium hypochlorite is often used in the chlorination of water in residential and commercial swimming pools. Imports of these products from China were estimated at 8.1 million U.S. dollars last year, according to U.S. official data.

Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and work with China to maintain a free, open and just trade environment.