Limitation periods for the imposition of financial penalties
Article 25
1. The right of the Commission to adopt a decision imposing a financial penalty pursuant to Article 16 shall expire after five years. In the case of the financial penalties provided for in Article 19, the right of the Commission to adopt a decision imposing such a penalty shall expire after three years. Time shall begin to run on the day on which the infringement is committed. However, in the case of continuing or repeated infringements, time shall begin to run on the day on which the infringement ceases. 2. Any action taken by the Agency or the Commission for the purpose of the investigation or infringement procedure shall interrupt the limitation periods laid down in paragraph 1. The limitation period shall be interrupted with effect from the date on which the action is notified to the marketing authorisation holder. 3. Each interruption shall start time running afresh. However, the limitation period shall expire at the latest on the day on which a period equal to twice the limitation period has elapsed without the Commission having imposed a financial penalty. The period shall be extended by the time during which limitation is suspended pursuant to paragraph 4. 4. The limitation period for the imposition of financial penalties shall be suspended for as long as the decision of the Commission is the subject of proceedings pending before the Court of Justice of the European Communities.