1.Member States may recognise as inter-branch organisations the groups of operators established on their territory which apply for such recognition, provided that they:
(a)comply with the principles set out in Article 17 and with the rules adopted for their application;
(b)represent a significant share of production activity and of either processing or marketing activities or of both, concerning fishery and aquaculture products or products processed from fishery and aquaculture products;
(c)are not themselves engaged in the production, processing or marketing of fishery and aquaculture products or products processed from fishery and aquaculture products;
(d)have legal personality under the national law of a Member State, are established there and have their official headquarters in its territory;
(e)are capable of pursuing the objectives laid down in Article 12;
(f)take into account the interest of consumers;
(g)do not hinder the sound operation of the CMO; and
(h)comply with the competition rules referred to in Chapter V.
2.Organisations established before 29 December 2013 may be recognised as inter-branch organisations for the purposes of this Regulation provided that the Member State concerned is satisfied that they comply with the provisions of this Regulation regarding inter-branch organisations.
3.Inter-branch organisations recognised before 29 décembre 2013 shall be considered to be inter-branch organisations for the purposes of this Regulation and to be bound by its provisions.