Assessment of the manufacturer or importer
Article 6
1. Where the manufacturer or importer does not dispute that a tobacco product has a characterising flavour, it shall inform the initiating Member State or the Commission accordingly in its reply submitted pursuant to Article 4(2). Where, in its reply, the manufacturer or importer has not disputed that a tobacco product has a characterising flavour, or where it has failed to provide a reply in accordance with Article 4(2), the initiating Member State or the Commission, as applicable, may proceed to make a determination in accordance with Article 9 or 10 respectively in cases where it considers that the information at its disposal is sufficient to make a determination. Insofar as the Member State or the Commission considers it necessary to obtain further information in order to be able to make a conclusive determination on whether the product has a characterising flavour, it may gather further information in accordance with Article 7 before making a determination in accordance with Article 9 or 10. 2. Where the manufacturer or importer disputes that the product has a characterising flavour, the initiating Member State or the Commission shall continue the procedure in accordance with Articles 7 and 8.