TITLE IIOFFICIAL CONTROLS AND OTHER OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES IN MEMBER STATES

CHAPTER ICompetent authorities

Article 4Designation of competent authorities

1

For each of the areas governed by the rules referred to in Article 1(2), Member States shall designate the competent authority or authorities on which they confer the responsibility to organise or perform official controls and other official activities.

2

Where, for the same area, a Member State confers the responsibility to organise or perform official controls or other official activities on more than one competent authority, at national, regional or local level, or where the competent authorities designated in accordance with paragraph 1 are allowed by that designation to transfer specific responsibilities for official controls or other official activities to other public authorities, the Member State shall:

a

ensure efficient and effective coordination between all authorities involved, and the consistency and effectiveness of official controls or other official activities across its territory; and

b

designate a single authority, in conformity with Member States’ constitutional requirements, responsible for coordinating the cooperation and the contacts with the Commission and with other Member States in relation to the official controls and other official activities performed in each of the areas governed by the rules referred to in Article 1(2).

3

Competent authorities responsible for the verification of compliance with the rules referred to in point (i) of Article 1(2) may confer certain responsibilities related to official controls or other official activities to one or more organic control authorities. In such cases, they shall attribute a code number to each of them.

4

Member States shall ensure that the Commission is informed of the contact details and of any changes regarding:

a

the competent authorities designated in accordance with paragraph 1;

b

the single authorities designated in accordance with point (b) of paragraph 2;

c

the organic control authorities referred to in paragraph 3;

d

the delegated bodies referred to in Article 28(1).

The information referred to in the first subparagraph shall also be made available by Member States to the public, including on the internet.