Article 6 — Limitation periods for the imposition of penalties

1.The powers conferred on ESMA to impose fines and periodic penalty payments on trade repositories shall be subject to a limitation period of five years.

2.The limitation period referred to in paragraph 1 shall begin to run on the day following that on which the infringement is committed. However, in the case of continuing or repeated infringements, that limitation period shall begin to run on the day on which the infringement ceases.

3.Any action taken by ESMA for the purpose of the investigation or proceedings in respect of an infringement of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 shall interrupt the limitation period for the imposition of fines and periodic penalty payments. That limitation period shall be interrupted with effect from the date on which the action is notified to the trade repository or the person subject to the investigation or proceedings in respect of an infringement of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012.

4.Each interruption shall cause the limitation period to start running afresh. However, the limitation period shall expire at the latest on the day on which a period equal to twice the limitation period has elapsed without ESMA having imposed a fine or a periodic penalty payment. That period shall be extended by the time during which limitation is suspended pursuant to paragraph 5.

5.The limitation period for imposing fines and periodic penalty payments shall be suspended for as long as the decision of ESMA is the subject of proceedings pending before the Board of Appeal, in accordance with Article 60 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, and before the Court of Justice of the European Union, in accordance with Article 69 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012.