Article 1
Open ↗Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1698 is amended as follows: (1) in Article 1(2), point (i), the introductory wording is replaced by the following: ‘a copy of the most recent assessment report referred to in Article 46(4), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, drawn up by the accreditation body or, as appropriate, by the competent authority, containing the information referred to in Part A of Annex I to this Regulation, including a witness audit report on a witness audit carried out within 2 years preceding the submission of the request for recognition. By way of derogation, for requests for recognition submitted before 31 December 2024, the witness audit report may be on a witness audit carried out within 3 years preceding the submission of the request for recognition. The assessment report shall give the following guarantees:’; (2) Article 3 is amended as follows: (a) a new paragraph 3a is inserted: ‘3a. Within 2 years from the initial recognition or from the extension of the scope of recognition to a new category of products in accordance with Article 2, the control authority or control body shall provide a new witness audit report on a new witness audit carried out in accordance with Sections 1 and 2 of Part B of Annex I for the categories of products for which it has been recognised or for which the scope of recognition was extended.’; (b) in paragraph 4, point (a) is replaced by the following: ‘(a) the period between two witness audits shall not exceed 4 years, starting from the date of the first witness audit carried out after the initial recognition or the initial extension of scope to a new category of products;’; (3) in Article 19, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘1. After its recognition, the control authority or control body shall notify the Commission in due time, and not later than within 30 calendar days, of the occurrence of changes to the content of its technical dossier, including the new witness audit reports referred to in Article 3(3a).’ ; (4) in Part B of Annex I, point 3(a) is replaced by the following: ‘(a) during the last 3 years by their accreditation body or competent authority for the purpose of their recognition under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 for each category of products for which the control authority or control body requests recognition in accordance with Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2018/848; and’.