1. Each laboratory in a Member State or a third country which is authorised for carrying out serological tests to monitor the effectiveness of rabies vaccines in accordance with Article 3(1) and (2) of Decision 2000/258/EC shall undergo a proficiency test each year.
2. That proficiency test shall be carried out by the laboratory of the Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des aliments de Nancy (‘AFSSA, Nancy’).
3. Following each proficiency test as referred to in paragraph 1, AFSSA, Nancy shall submit, at the latest by 31 October of the same year, the respective appraisal report to:
(a)
the corresponding laboratory which underwent the proficiency test;
(b)
the competent authority of the Member State; where the laboratory referred to in point (a) is located, in the case of a laboratory authorised in accordance with Article 3(1) of Decision 2000/258/EC;
(c)
the Commission, in the case of a laboratory referred to in point (a) authorised in accordance with Article 3(2) of Decision 2000/258/EC.
4. By way of derogation from the deadline referred to in paragraph 3, an unfavourable report shall be submitted within 30 days after the appraisal.