286 * Official Journal of the European Communities REGULATION (EEC) No 2841/72 OF THE COUNCIL of 19 December 1972 on the safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas an agreement between the European Econ- omic Community and the Swiss Confederation was signed in Brussels on 22 July 1972; Whereas, for the purposes of implementing the safe- guard clauses provided for in the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, the procedures to be followed are laid down by the Treaty itself; Whereas, on the other hand, the detailed rules for im- plementing the safeguard clauses and precautionary measures provided for in Articles 22 to 27 of the Agreement remain to be laid down, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The Council may, in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 113 of the Treaty, decide to refer to the Joint Committee established by the Agree- ment between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation — hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement” — for the purpose of taking the measures provided for in Articles 22, 24 and 26 of the Agreement. Where necessary, the Council shall adopt these measures in accordance with the same procedure. The Commission may submit the necessary proposals to this end on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State. Article 2 1. In the case of a practice that may justify appli- cation by the Community of the measures provided for in Article 23 of the Agreement, the Commission, after examining the case on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State, shall decide whether such practice is compatible with the Agreement. Where necessary it shall propose the adoption of safeguard measures to the Council, which shall act in accordance with the procedure Jaid down in Article 113 of the Treaty. ° 2. In the case of a practice that may cause safe- guard measures to be applied to the Community on the basis of Article 23 of the Agreement, the Com- mission, after examining the case, shall decide whether the practice is compatible with the principles set out in the Agreement. Where necessary, it shall formulate appropriate recommendations. Article 3 In the case of a practice that may justify application by the Community of the measures provided for in Article 25 of the Agreement, the procedures estab- lished by Regulation (EEC) No 459/68 (') shall be applicable. Article 4 1.  Where exceptional circumstances require im- mediate action.in the situations referred to in Articles 24 and 26 of the Agreement or in the case of export aids that have a direct and immediate effect on trade, the precautionary measures provided for in Article 27(3)(d) of the Agreement may be adopted as follows. 2. The Commission may, on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State, submit the neces- sary proposals, upon which the Council shall decide in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 113 of the Treaty. 3. The Member State concerned may, except in the case of export aids having a direct and im- - mediate effect on trade, introduce quantitative restric- tions on imports. It shall immediately notify the other Member States and the Commission of these measures. The Commission shall decide, by an emergency pro- cedure and within a maximum period of three work- ing days in the case of Article 24, and five working (1) JO No L 93, 17. 4. 1968, p. 1.