It shall be unlawful for a supplier on grounds other than permitted grounds (as to which see articles 5 and 6) to withhold, or to agree or to threaten to withhold, supplies of any specified goods from any dealer who requests supply of those goods (“the requesting dealer”).

For the purposes of this article, and notwithstanding articles 5 and 6, a ground shall not be regarded as a permitted ground unless that ground is referred to in a written statement of reasons that the supplier gives to the requesting dealer at the time of withholding (or of the threat to withhold) explaining why the supplier has withheld (or threatened to withhold) the specified goods requested from him.