Diagnostic tests described in the OIE Manual, hereinafter the ‘OIE Manual’, as the ‘Prescribed Tests’ for international trade, constitute the reference tests for vesicular disease diagnosis within the Community. National Laboratories must adopt standards and tests at least as stringent as those defined in the OIE Manual.

The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 89(2) decide to adopt more stringent testing procedures than those defined in the OIE Manual.