1.The expenditure referred to in Article 203(3)(a) of the Financial Regulation shall include the costs of the fitting out of buildings. It shall not include the charges.
2.The early information procedure set out in Article 203(4) of the Financial Regulation and the prior approval procedure set out in Article 203(5) of the Financial Regulation shall not apply to acquisition of land free of charge or for a symbolic amount.
3.The early information and prior approval procedure set out in points 3 to 7 of Article 203 of the Financial Regulation shall not apply to residential buildings. The European Parliament and the Council may request from the institution in charge any information related to residential buildings.
4.In exceptional or urgent political circumstances the early information referred to in Article 203(4) of the Financial Regulation concerning building projects relating to Union delegations or offices in third countries may be submitted jointly with the building project pursuant to Article 203(5) of the Financial Regulation. In such cases, the early information and prior approval procedures shall be conducted at the earliest possible opportunity.
5.The prior approval procedure set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of Article 203 of the Financial Regulation shall not apply to preparatory contracts or studies necessary to evaluate the detailed cost and financing of the building project.
6.The thresholds of EURÂ 750 000 or EURÂ 3 000 000 referred to in points (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Article 203(7) of the Financial Regulation shall include the costs of fitting out of the building. For rents and usufruct contracts, those thresholds shall take into account the costs of the fitting out of the building but not the other charges.
7.One year after the date of entry into application of the Financial Regulation, the Commission shall report on the application of the procedures set out in paragraphs 3 to 8 of Article 203 of the Financial Regulation.