Where appropriate, trials or tests shall be carried out in the Member States on samples to check that propagating material complies with the requirements and conditions of this Directive. The Commission may organise inspections of trials by representatives of the Member States and of the Commission.

Community comparative tests and trials may be carried out within the Community for the post-control of samples of propagating material or ornamental plants placed on the market under the provisions of this Directive, whether mandatory or discretionary, including those relating to plant health. The comparative tests and trials may include the following:

• propagating material produced in third countries,

• propagating material suitable for organic farming,

• propagating material marketed in relation to measures for the conservation of genetic diversity.

These comparative tests and trials shall be used to harmonise the technical methods of examination of propagating material of ornamental plants and to check satisfaction of the conditions with which the material must comply.

The Commission, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 17, shall make the necessary arrangements for the comparative tests and trials to be carried out. The Commission shall inform the Committee referred to in Article 17 about the technical arrangements for holding the tests and trials and the results thereof. When problems occur in relation to organisms covered by Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction in the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community8, the Commission shall notify the Standing Committee on Plant Health, which shall also be consulted on protocols for Community trials where these concern organisms covered by Directive 2000/29/EC.

The Community may make a financial contribution to the performance of the tests and trials foreseen in paragraphs 2 and 3.

The financial contribution shall not exceed the annual appropriations decided by the budgetary authority.

The tests and trials which may benefit from a Community financial contribution, and detailed rules for the provision of the financial contribution, shall be established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17.

The tests and trials foreseen in paragraphs 2 and 3 may be performed only by State authorities or legal persons acting under the responsibility of the State.