1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to provide for a limitation period in respect of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14, which allows for sufficient time to effectively investigate, prosecute, trial and decide on those offences following their commission.

2. The limitation period referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be shorter than:

(a) fifteen years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 7 and 12;

(b) ten years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 8 to 11;

(c) eight years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 13 and 14.

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, Member States may establish a shorter limitation period, provided that the period may be interrupted or suspended in the event of specified acts and that the applicable rules on the suspension and limitation periods do not hamper the effectiveness of the judicial process and the dissuasive application of penalties. This period shall not be shorter than:

(a) ten years for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 7 and 12;

(b) eight years for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 8 to 11;

(c) five years for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 13 and 14.