1. The lead competent authority that determines, pursuant to paragraphs 3 or 4 of Article 17, that there is a substantiated concern that there has been a violation of Article 3, shall initiate an investigation on the products and economic operators concerned and inform the economic operators subject to the investigation, within 3 working days of the date of the decision to initiate such investigation, of the following:

(a) the initiation of the investigation and the possible consequences thereof;

(b) the products subject to the investigation;

(c) the reasons for the initiation of the investigation, unless it would jeopardise the outcome of the investigation;

(d) the right of the economic operators to submit documents or information to the lead competent authority, and the date by which such information is to be submitted.

2. The lead competent authority shall communicate, through the information and communication system referred to in Article 7(1), that an investigation has been initiated pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article.