Article 4 — Temporary exemption for existing supply contracts

1. The prohibition pursuant to Article 3(1) shall apply as of 17 June 2026 and the prohibition pursuant to Article 3(2) shall apply as of 25 April 2026, where it can be demonstrated to the authorising authorities that the relevant imports are carried out under a short-term supply contract concluded before 17 June 2025, and not amended thereafter, unless the amendment is covered by paragraph 5 of this Article. 2. The prohibition pursuant to Article 3(1) of this Regulation shall apply as of 30 September 2027, where it can be demonstrated to the authorising authorities that the relevant imports are carried out under a long-term supply contract concluded before 17 June 2025, and not amended thereafter, unless the amendment is covered by paragraph 5 of this Article. Where the Commission identifies a risk that a Member State might not meet the filling target for 2027 for underground storage pursuant to Article 6a of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938, taking into account the circumstances of the risk of missing the target, it shall confirm that risk by way of an implementing decision no later than 15 September 2027. Where the Commission adopts an implementing decision pursuant to the second subparagraph of this paragraph, the prohibition pursuant to Article 3(1) of this Regulation shall apply only as of 1 November 2027 in that Member State, where it can be demonstrated to the authorising authorities that the relevant imports are carried out under a long-term supply contract as referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Gas Coordination Group established by Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 of its implementing decision without delay. 3. The prohibition pursuant to Article 3(2) shall apply as of 1 January 2027, where it can be demonstrated to the authorising authorities that the relevant imports are carried out under a long-term supply contract concluded before 17 June 2025, and not amended thereafter, unless the amendment is covered by paragraph 5 of this Article. 4. The prohibition pursuant to Article 3 shall apply as of 30 September 2027 or, where the Commission has adopted an implementing decision in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article, as of 1 November 2027, where it can be demonstrated to the authorising authorities: (a) that the relevant imports are carried out under a short-term supply contract with delivery to a landlocked country which is necessary to fulfil the long-term supply contract under point (b); and (b) that a long-term supply contract with delivery to a landlocked country for the import of pipeline gas exists: (i) which was concluded before 17 June 2025 and not amended thereafter, unless the amendment is covered by paragraph 5 of this Article; (ii) which concerns gas supplies that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation; and (iii) for which the delivery at the original delivery point at a border between the Union and a third country can no longer be carried out. 5. The temporary exemptions provided for in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 shall also apply with regard to existing supply contracts that are amended as follows: (a) lowering contracted quantities; (b) lowering prices and fees; (c) amending confidentiality clauses; (d) amending operational procedures, such as communication procedures; (e) changes of addresses of contract parties; (f) transfers of contractual obligations between affiliated undertakings; (g) changes required by judicial or arbitration procedures; or (h) for landlocked countries, changes of national delivery points. 6. The quantities of imports made in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 shall not exceed the contracted quantities.