8.—(1) A party to an agreement who wishes to make or who makes an application for guidance under section 43 of the Act or for a decision under section 44 of the Act shall take all reasonable steps to notify all other parties to the agreement of whom he is aware —
(a)
that the application will be or has been made; and
(b)
as to whether the application will be or is for guidance or a decision.
(2) A person who wishes to make or who makes an application for guidance under section 50 of the Act or for a decision under section 51 of the Act in relation to the conduct of 2 or more persons shall take all reasonable steps to notify such other persons who are engaged in the conduct of whom he is aware —
(a)
that the application will be or has been made; and
(b)
as to whether the application will be or is for guidance or a decision.
(3) Notifications under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be in writing and given no later than 7 working days from the date on which the applicant submits Form 1 to the Commission.
(4) The applicant shall provide a copy of any notification given under paragraph (1) or (2) to the Commission —
(a)
where the notification is given before the application is made, on the date of the application; and
(b)
where the notification is given on the same date as the application or (subject to paragraph (3)) on a date subsequent thereto, within 2 working days from the date of the notification.
(5) If the applicant is unable, despite the exercise of due diligence, to contact the other parties to the agreement or conduct, the Commission may, if it considers appropriate, require the applicant to notify such other parties in such mode and manner as the Commission may specify.