For these pu rposes, the retrospective periods in which prior violations can be considered for purposes of multiple violations under Article 10.9.4 and the statute of limitations set forth in Article 17 are procedural rules, not substantive rules, and should be applied  retroactively along with all of the other procedural rules in the se Anti -Doping Rules or the Code  (provided, however, that Article 17 shall only be applied retroactively if the statute of limitations period has not already expired by the Effective Date).