Suspension of preferences under preferential trade arrangements
Article 7
1. The preferential tariff measures referred to in Article 1 shall not be granted in the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland where cases of fraud, irregularities or systematic failure to comply with or ensure compliance with the rules on the preferential origin of the products and with the related procedures have been established in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3. 2. Where there are reasonable doubts as to the existence of fraud, irregularities or systematic failure as referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union stating the grounds leading to such doubts. 3. If the fraud, irregularities or systematic failure identified are not addressed within 6 months of the publication of the notice, the preferential tariff measures shall not be applied in the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland. The Commission shall publish on its website the date on which the preferential tariff measures cease to apply in the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland. 4. The United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland shall communicate to the Commission all information relevant for the application of this Article. 5. The preferential tariff measures may become applicable again if, in accordance with Article 6, the third countries or group of third countries in question takes the measures necessary to ensure compliance.