Article 8
1. Where an importer claiming status of traditional importer under Article 5(4) of the Protocol (hereinafter referred to as ‘the applicant’) does not provide satisfactory evidence that it is the same natural or legal person that imported the covered products during the reference period retained pursuant to Article 17(2) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the predecessor’), it shall provide the Licence Office with the necessary evidence to prove that it has business continuity with the activities of the predecessor. 2. Business continuity as referred to in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to exist where: (a) the applicant and the predecessor are under the control of the same legal entity within the meaning of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 ( 3 ) ; or (b) the economic activity of the predecessor, as regards the covered products, has been legally transferred to the applicant, for instance as a result of a merger or acquisition within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 3. Importers that do not provide evidence of business continuity shall be considered as new importers.