Regulation (EU) 2016/424 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Article 14 Obligations of distributors

1. When making a subsystem or a safety component available on the market, distributors shall act with due care in relation to the requirements of this Regulation.

2. Before making a subsystem or a safety component available on the market, distributors shall verify that the subsystem or the safety component bears the CE marking and that it is accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity, by instructions and safety information, and, where appropriate, by other required documents, in a language which can be easily understood by users as determined by the Member State concerned, and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 11(5) and (6) and Article 13(3) respectively.

Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that a subsystem or a safety component is not in conformity with the applicable essential requirements set out in Annex II, he shall not make the subsystem or the safety component available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the subsystem or the safety component presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities.

3. Distributors shall ensure that, while a subsystem or a safety component is under their responsibility, storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the applicable essential requirements set out in Annex II.

4. Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that a subsystem or a safety component which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall make sure that the corrective measures necessary to bring that subsystem or safety component into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate, are taken. Furthermore, where the subsystem or the safety component presents a risk, distributors shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the subsystem or the safety component available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.

5. Distributors shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of a subsystem or a safety component. That information and documentation may be provided in paper or electronic form. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by subsystems or safety components which they have made available on the market.