Article 15U.K.Approval of conformity checks carried out by third countries prior to import into the Union
[F11. At the request of a third country, the Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 195(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007, approve checks on conformity to marketing standards carried out by that third country prior to import into the Union.]
2.The approval referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted to third countries where the Union marketing standards, or at least equivalent standards, are met for products exported to the Union.
The approval shall specify the official authority in the third country under the responsibility of which checks referred to in paragraph 1 are carried out. That authority shall be responsible for contacts with the Union. The approval shall also specify the third country inspection bodies in charge of the proper checks.
The approval may only apply to products originating in the third country concerned and may be limited to certain products.
3.The third country inspection bodies shall be official bodies or bodies officially recognised by the authority referred to in paragraph 2 which provide satisfactory guarantees and dispose of the necessary personnel, equipment and facilities to carry out checks according to the methods referred to in Article 17(1) or equivalent methods.
4.The third countries where the conformity checks have been approved under this Article, and the products concerned, shall be set out in Annex IV.
The Commission shall make available, by the means it considers appropriate, details of the official authorities and inspection bodies concerned.