Commission Directive (EU) 2015/566Show full title

Article 3 Accreditation, designation, authorisation or licensing of importing tissue establishments

1. Without prejudice to Article 1(3), Member States shall ensure that all imports of tissues and cells from third countries are undertaken by importing tissue establishments accredited, designated, authorised or licensed by a competent authority or authorities for the purposes of these activities.

2. The competent authority or authorities, having obtained the information set out in Annex I to this Directive and, having verified that the importing tissue establishment complies with the requirements of this Directive, shall accredit, designate, authorise or license the importing tissue establishment to import tissues and cells and indicate any conditions which apply such as any restrictions of the types of tissues and cells to be imported or the third country suppliers to be used. The competent authority or authorities shall issue the accredited, designated, authorised or licensed importing tissue establishment with the certificate set out in Annex II to this Directive.

3. The importing tissue establishment shall not undertake any substantial changes to its import activities without the prior written approval of the competent authority or authorities. In particular, any changes to the type of tissues and cells imported, the activities undertaken in third countries which may have an influence on the quality and safety of imported tissues and cells or the third country suppliers used shall be considered as substantial changes. Where an importing tissue establishment undertakes a one-off import of tissues or cells originating from a third country supplier not covered by its existing accreditation, designation, authorisation or licence, such an import shall not be considered as a substantial change if the importing tissue establishment is authorised to import the same type of tissues or cells from another third country supplier or suppliers.

4. The competent authority or authorities may suspend or revoke the accreditation, designation, authorisation, or licence, in part or in full, of an importing tissue establishment if, in particular, inspections or other control measures demonstrate that such an establishment no longer meets the requirements of this Directive.