1.In order to avoid undue economic hardship, the competent authorities may exempt marginally compliant aircraft registered in developing countries from noise operating restrictions, while fully respecting the principle of non-discrimination, provided that such aircraft:
(a)are granted a noise certification to the standards specified in Chapter 3, Volume 1 of Annex 16 to the Chicago Convention;
(b)were operated in the Union during the five-year period preceding the entry into force of this Regulation;
(c)were on the register of the developing country concerned in that five-year period; and
(d)continue to be operated by a natural or legal person established in that country.
2.Where a Member State grants an exemption provided for in paragraph 1, it shall forthwith inform the competent authorities of the other Member States and the Commission thereof.