If the competent authority decides to implement the sanction provided for in Article L. 8272-1, it shall inform the company concerned of its intention by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by any other means that allows proof of receipt by the addressee, specifying that it may submit its written observations within a period of fifteen days.
On expiry of the deadline set, the competent authority may decide, in the light of any comments made by the company, to reimburse all or part of the public aid granted during the twelve months preceding the drawing up of the official report establishing the infringement, on the basis of the criteria mentioned in the first paragraph of Article L. 8272-1, taking into account its economic, social and financial situation. It notifies the company of its decision by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by any other means that allows the addressee to prove receipt, and sends a copy to the Prefect.