CHAPTER IVCHECKS, EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, MEMBER STATES' LEGISLATION

Article 43Checks on spirit drinks

1

Member States shall be responsible for checks on spirit drinks. They shall take the measures necessary to ensure compliance with this Regulation and designate the competent authorities responsible for ensuring this Regulation is complied with.

2

The Commission shall ensure the uniform application of this Regulation and, where necessary, shall, by means of implementing acts, adopt the rules concerning administrative and physical checks to be conducted by the Member States with regard to the respect of the obligations resulting from the application of this Regulation. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 47(2).

Article 44Exchange of information

1

Member States and the Commission shall communicate to each other the information necessary for the application of this Regulation.

2

The Commission may adopt implementing acts concerning the nature and the type of the information to be exchanged and the methods for exchanging information.

Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 47(2).

Article 45Member States' legislation

1

In applying a quality policy for spirit drinks produced in their own territory and in particular for geographical indications listed in the register or for the protection of new geographical indications, Member States may lay down rules on production, description, presentation and labelling that are stricter than those set out in Annexes I and II in so far as they are compatible with Union law.

2

Notwithstanding paragraph 1, Member States shall not prohibit or restrict the import, sale or consumption of spirit drinks produced in other Member States or third countries which comply with this Regulation.