In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17, it shall be decided whether propagating material produced in a third country affords equivalent guarantees in all respects to material produced in the Community in accordance with this Directive.

Pending the decision referred to in paragraph 1, propagating material may not be imported from third countries unless the importing supplier ensures prior to import that the material to be imported affords equivalent guarantees in all respects to propagating material produced in the Community in accordance with this Directive, in particular in relation to quality, identification and plant health.

The importer shall notify the responsible official bodies of material imported under paragraph 2 and shall keep documentary evidence of his contract with the supplier in the third country.

Implementing measures relating to the procedure to be followed and further requirements to be met by importers may be established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17.