The applicant shall provide evidence that the flat-rate contribution of EUR 30 000 referred to in Article 3(1) has been paid to the CRL when it submits the samples of the food and feed and their control samples to the CRL in accordance with Article 5(3)(j) or Article 17(3)(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

Where, as provided for in Article 3(2), a full validation procedure is required, the CRL shall notify the applicant in writing of this fact and require the payment of the amount due in accordance with that provision.

Where, as provided for in Article 3(3), the CRL expects the costs of the validation of the detection method proposed by the applicant to exceed substantially the amount of the financial contributions referred to in Article 3(1) and (2), it shall notify the applicant in writing of the estimated amount of the additional costs.

If, within one month of the date of receipt of the notification, the applicant withdraws its application, the additional contribution referred to in Article 3(3) is not due.

After completion of the validation of the detection method, the CRL shall notify the applicant in writing the actual and duly justified costs incurred in carrying out the validation of the detection method and require payment of the contribution due in accordance with Article 3(3).

Where, as provided for in Article 4(2), costs are incurred, the CRL shall notify the applicant in writing of the amount of the contribution due, including a justification of that amount.

Where an application has been submitted before the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the CRL shall, within three months of that date, notify in writing the applicant of the amount of the financial contribution to be paid according to Article 3(1) and (2) as appropriate.

When a reduction of the contribution is claimed in accordance with Article 4(1), the application shall be accompanied by written evidence that the conditions laid down in that Article are fulfilled. The CRL may require supplementary information where appropriate.

The contributions mentioned in paragraph 2 to 5 shall be payable by the applicant within 45 days of the date of reception of the notification.

Where the applicant has not provided proof of payment within the set time limit, and where the evaluation report referred to in point 3(e), of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 has not yet been sent to the European Food Safety Authority (the Authority), the CRL shall not submit it to the Authority until the reception of the due payment. The CRL shall immediately notify the Authority that its report will be delayed, to enable the Authority to inform the applicant and take any further steps required under Articles 6(1) to (2) and 18(1) to (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.