Specific rules on official controls and other official activities performed by the competent authorities in relation to protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed
Article 26
1. By way of derogation from Article 31(3), in relation to the rules referred in point (j) of Article 1(2), where competent authorities have delegated the decisions concerning the authorisation to use the registered name of a product, they may also delegate the application of the following measures: (a) ordering that certain activities of the operator be subject to systematic or increased official controls; (b) ordering the operator to increase the frequency of own controls; (c) ordering the alteration of label in order to comply with the product specifications and the rules referred in point (j) of Article 1(2). 2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 144 to supplement this Regulation by laying down rules for the performance of official controls to verify compliance with the rules referred to in point (j) of Article 1(2). Those delegated acts shall lay down rules on: (a) requirements, methods and techniques referred to in Articles 12 and 14 for official controls performed to verify compliance with product specifications and labelling requirements; (b) specific methods and techniques referred to in Article 14 for the performance of official controls aimed at ensuring the traceability of goods and animals falling within the scope of the rules referred to in point (j) of Article 1(2) at all stages of production, preparation and distribution, and at providing assurances as to compliance with those rules; (c) the cases where the competent authorities, in relation to specific non-compliances, are to take one or more of the actions and measures referred to in Article 138(1) and (2). 3. The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, lay down rules on uniform practical arrangements for the performance of the official controls to verify compliance with the rules referred to in point (j) of Article 1(2) regarding: (a) specific practical arrangements for activating the mechanisms of administrative assistance provided for in Articles 102 to 108, including the exchange of information concerning instances of non-compliance or the likelihood of non-compliance between competent authorities and delegated bodies; and (b) specific reporting obligations of the delegated bodies. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 145(2). 4. For the purpose of Article 30, the delegation of certain official control tasks, referred to in this Article, to one or more natural persons shall be allowed.