Designation of European Union reference centres for the authenticity and integrity of the agri-food chain
Article 97
1. The Commission may, by means of implementing acts, designate European Union reference centres that shall support the activities of the Commission and of the Member States to prevent, detect and combat violations of the rules referred to in Article 1(2) perpetrated through fraudulent or deceptive practices. 2. The designations provided for in paragraph 1 shall: (a) follow a public selection process; and (b) be limited in time or reviewed regularly. 3. European Union reference centres for the authenticity and integrity of the agri-food chain shall: (a) act impartially as regards the exercise of their tasks as European Union reference centres; (b) possess a high level of scientific and technical expertise in the areas governed by the rules referred to in Article 1(2) and in applied forensic science in those areas, in order to have the ability to carry out or coordinate research at the highest level on the authenticity and integrity of goods and to develop, apply and validate the methods to be used for the detection of violations of the rules referred to in Article 1(2) perpetrated through fraudulent or deceptive practices; (c) have suitably qualified staff with adequate training in the areas referred to in point (b) and the necessary support staff; (d) possess, or have access to, the infrastructure, the equipment and the products necessary to carry out the tasks assigned to them; and (e) ensure that their staff have good knowledge of international standards and practices in the areas referred to in point (b) and that the latest research developments at national, Union and international level in those areas are taken into account in their work.