Chapter 5 (Art. 20 - 43) — Investigate, Enforcement and Monitoring powers
Article 33
Limitation periods for the enforcement of penalties
- The power of the Commission to enforce decisions taken pursuant to Articles 30 and 31 shall be subject to a limitation period of 5 years.
- Time shall begin to run from the day on which the decision becomes final.
- The limitation period for the enforcement of penalties shall be interrupted:
- (a) by notification of a decision varying the original amount of the fine or periodic penalty payment or refusing an application for variation; or
- (b) by any action of the Commission or of a Member State, acting at the request of the Commission, designed to enforce payment of the fine or periodic penalty payment.
- Each interruption shall start time running afresh.
- The limitation period for the enforcement of penalties shall be suspended for so long as:
- (a) time to pay is allowed; or
- (b) enforcement of payment is suspended pursuant to a decision of the Court of Justice or to a decision by a national court.