1.If third persons apply to be heard, the Commission shall inform them in writing of the nature and subject matter of the proceedings and shall set a time limit within which they may make known their views.
2.Where a statement of objections or a supplementary statement of objections has been issued, the Commission may send to third persons a non-confidential version of that statement or inform them of the nature and subject matter of the proceedings by other appropriate means. For this purpose, the notifying parties shall identify any information which they consider confidential in the objections, pursuant to Article 18(3), second and third subparagraphs, within five working days from the receipt of the statement. The Commission shall provide the non-confidential version of the objections to third persons only to be used for the purposes of the relevant proceedings pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. Third persons shall accept that use restriction prior to receipt of the non-confidential version of the objections.
Where a statement of objections has not been issued, the Commission shall be under no obligation to provide third persons referred to in paragraph 1 with any information beyond the nature and the subject matter of the proceedings.
3.The third persons referred to in paragraph 1 shall make known their views in writing within the time limit set. The Commission may, where appropriate, afford such third persons who have so requested in their written comments the opportunity to participate in a hearing. It may also in other cases afford such third persons the opportunity of expressing their views orally.
4.The Commission may invite any other natural or legal person to express its views, in writing as well as orally, including at an oral hearing.