Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 is amended as follows:

1. (1)

   in Article 9, the following paragraph is added:

   ‘4.

   Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 do not apply for the purposes of modifying elements of an operational programme falling under sub-sections 3.5 and 3.6 and section 4, respectively, of the operational programme templates set out in Annex I.

   A Member State shall notify the Commission of any decision to modify the elements referred to in the first subparagraph within one month of the date of that decision. The decision shall specify the date of its entry into force, which shall not be earlier than the date of its adoption.’;

2. (2)

   in Article 23, paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:

   ‘6.

   An operation may receive support from one or more operational programmes co-financed by the Fund and from other Union instruments, provided that the expenditure declared in a payment application for the Fund is not declared for support from another Union instrument, or support from the same Fund under another programme. The amount of expenditure to be entered into a payment application of the Fund may be calculated for the programme or programmes concerned on a pro rata basis in accordance with the document setting out the conditions for support.’;

3. (3)

   in Article 25(3), the following point is added:

   1. ‘(e)

      rules for the application of corresponding unit costs, lump sums and flat rates applicable under Union policies for a similar type of operation and beneficiary.’;

4. (4)

   Article 26 is amended as follows:

   1. (a)

      in paragraph 2, points (d) and (e) are replaced by the following:

      1. ‘(d)

         the costs of partner organisations for collection, transport, storage and distribution of food donations and directly related awareness raising activities;

      2. (e)

         the costs of accompanying measures undertaken and declared by the partner organisations delivering directly or under cooperation agreements the food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived persons at a flat-rate of 5 % of the costs referred to in point (a) of this paragraph; or 5 % of the value of the food products disposed of in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013.’;

   2. (b)

      the following paragraph is inserted:

      ‘3a.

      Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a reduction of the eligible costs referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 due to non-compliance with applicable law by the body responsible for the purchase of food and/or basic material assistance shall not lead to a reduction of the eligible costs of other bodies as set out in points (c) and (e) of paragraph 2.’;

5. (5)

   in Article 27, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

   ‘4.

   At the initiative of the Member States, and subject to a ceiling of 5 % of the Fund allocation at the time of the adoption of the operational programme, the operational programme may finance preparation, management, monitoring, administrative and technical assistance, audit, information, control and evaluation measures necessary for implementing this Regulation. It may also finance technical assistance and capacity building of partner organisations.’;

6. (6)

   in Article 30(2), the fourth subparagraph is replaced by the following:

   ‘When amounts unduly paid to a beneficiary for an operation cannot be recovered and this is as a result of fault or negligence on the part of a Member State, that Member State shall be responsible for reimbursing the amounts concerned to the budget of the Union. Member States may decide not to recover an amount unduly paid if the amount to be recovered from the beneficiary, not including interest, does not exceed EUR 250 in contribution from the Fund to an operation in an accounting year.’;

7. (7)

   in Article 32(4), point (a) is replaced by the following:

   1. ‘(a)

      verify that the co-financed products and services have been delivered, that the operation complies with applicable law, the operational programme and the conditions for support of the operation and,

      1. (i)

         where costs are to be reimbursed pursuant to point (a) of Article 25(1), that the amount of expenditure declared by the beneficiaries in relation to those costs has been paid;

      2. (ii)

         where costs are to be reimbursed pursuant to points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 25(1), that the conditions for reimbursement of expenditure to the beneficiary have been met;’;

8. (8)

   in Article 42, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

   ‘3.

   The payment deadline referred to in paragraph 2 may be suspended by the managing authority in either of the following duly justified cases:

   (a)

   the amount of the payment claim is not due or the appropriate supporting documents, including the documents necessary for management verifications under point (a) of Article 32(4), have not been provided;

   (b)

   an investigation has been initiated in relation to a possible irregularity affecting the expenditure concerned.

   The beneficiary concerned shall be informed in writing of the suspension and the reasons for it. The remaining time allowed for payment shall begin to run again from the date on which the requested information or documents are received or the investigation has been carried out.’;

9. (9)

   in Article 51, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

   ‘3.

   The documents shall be kept either in the form of the originals, or certified true copies of the originals, or on commonly accepted data carriers including electronic versions of original documents or documents existing in electronic version only. Where documents are kept on commonly accepted data carriers in accordance with the procedure laid down in paragraph 5, no originals shall be required.’.