An SA wishing to issue certificates as referred to in Article 17(1)(b) and (2)(c) has to be approved by the competent authority of the Member State where it has its registered office.

The SA shall be approved at its request for a renewable period of three years, if it fulfils the conditions set out in Annex VIII, Chapter I. The approval shall be valid for all Member States.

The approval shall specify whether the authorisation to issue certificates as referred to in Article 17(1)(b) and (2)(c) shall be on a worldwide basis or limited to a certain number of third countries.