[F1CertificationN.I.
8E.—(1) The Authority must, within the 4 months beginning with the day on which it receives an application for certification, make a preliminary decision as to whether it should certify the applicant.
(2) If—
(a)the Authority has asked an applicant or a relevant producer or supplier or related conveyance licensee for information under Article 8C(3) or (4); and
(b)the information has not been supplied by the date specified by the Authority under Article 8C(5),
then the period of 4 months referred to in paragraph (1) shall be extended by the period of delay in supplying such information.
(3) As soon as is reasonably practicable after making the preliminary decision under paragraph (1), the Authority must notify the decision and the reasons for it to—
(a)the applicant;
(b)any related conveyance licensee;
(c)the Department; and
(d)the European Commission.
(4) The Authority must enclose with the notification under paragraph (3)(a), (b) or (d) a copy of any report which the Department has prepared under Article 8D in respect of the applicant and which the Authority receives before giving the notification.
(5) Article 3 of the Gas Regulation sets out the obligation to make a final decision, together with related processes, time limits, matters to be taken into account and conditions.
(6) As soon as is reasonably practicable after making the final decision in any case the Authority must notify the decision and the reasons for it to—
(a)the applicant;
(b)any related conveyance licensee;
(c)the Department; and
(d)the European Commission.]