Where the trend in imports of a product originating in an ACP State is such that they could cause one of the situations referred to in Article 12, imports of that product may be subject to prior Community surveillance.

The decision to impose surveillance shall be taken by the Commission.

Any decision taken by the Commission pursuant to this Article shall be communicated to the Council and Member States. Any Member State may, within ten working days of such communication, refer the decision to the Council.

If a Member State refers the Commission's decision to the Council, the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may confirm, amend or revoke the decision. If within one month of the referral of the matter, the Council has not taken a decision, the decision taken by the Commission shall be deemed confirmed.

Surveillance measures shall have a limited period of validity. Unless otherwise provided, they shall cease to be valid at the end of the second six-month period following the first six months after the measures were introduced.

Surveillance measures may be restricted to the territory of one or more Community outermost region(s) where necessary.

The decision to impose surveillance measures shall be communicated immediately to the appropriate institutional body set up in the relevant agreements permitting a region or state to be included in Annex I for information.