Where exceptional and critical circumstances arise within the meaning of point (b) of Article 24(5) and Article 25(4) of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter point (b) of Article 39(5) and Article 40(4) of the SAA, the Commission may take immediate measures as provided for in Articles 24 and 25 of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Articles 39 and 40 of the SAA.

If the Commission receives a request from a Member State, it shall take a decision thereon within five working days of receipt of the request.

The Commission shall take the measures referred to in the first paragraph in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 9(3) of this Regulation, or in cases of urgency, in accordance with Article 9(4) of this Regulation.