Article 4
Implementation 1. Member States shall designate the competent authority or authorities responsible for implementing the requirements of this Directive. 2. This Directive shall not prevent a Member State from maintaining or introducing in its territory more stringent protective measures which comply with the provisions of the Treaty. In particular, a Member State may introduce requirements for voluntary and unpaid donations, which include the prohibition or restriction of imports of blood and blood components, to ensure a high level of health protection and to achieve the objective set out in Article 20(1), provided that the conditions of the Treaty are met. 3. In carrying out the activities covered by this Directive the Commission may have recourse to technical and/or administrative assistance to the mutual benefit of the Commission and of the beneficiaries, relating to identification, preparation, management, monitoring, audit and control, as well as to support expenditure. CHAPTER II OBLIGATIONS ON MEMBER STATES AUTHORITIES