Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Regolament (KE) Nru 66/2010 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill

of 25 November 2009

tal- 25 ta' Novembru 2009

on the EU Ecolabel

dwar skema ta’ Ekotikketta tal-UE

(Text with EEA relevance)

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

IL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW U L-KUNSILL TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,

Wara li kkunsidraw it-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ewropea, u b'mod partikolari l-Artikolu 175 (1) tiegħu,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Wara li kkunsidraw il-proposta tal-Kummissjoni,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [1],

Wara li kkunsidraw l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat Ekonomiku u Soċjali Ewropew [1],

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions [2],

Wara li kkunsidraw l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat tar-Reġjuni [2],

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty [3],

Filwaqt li jaġixxu skont il-proċedura stabbilita fl-Artikolu 251 tat-Trattat [3],

Whereas:

Billi:

(1) The aim of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community eco-label award scheme [4] was to establish a voluntary ecolabel award scheme intended to promote products with a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle and to provide consumers with accurate, non-deceptive, science-based information on the environmental impact of products.

(1) L-għan tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1980/2000 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tas- 17 ta' Lulju 2000 dwar skema riveduta ta' l-għoti ta' ekotikketta tal-UE [4] kien li tkun stabbilita skema volontarja tal-għoti tal-ekotikketta tal-UE maħsuba biex tippromwovi l-prodotti b’impatt ambjentali mnaqqas matul iċ-ċiklu ta’ ħajja kollu tagħhom u biex jipprovdu lill-konsumaturi b’informazzjoni preċiża, li ma tqarraqx u bbażata fuq ix-xjenza dwar l-impatt ambjentali tal-prodotti.

(2) The experience gained during the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 has shown the need to amend that ecolabel scheme in order to increase its effectiveness and streamline its operation.

(2) L-esperjenza miksuba waqt l-implimentazzjoni tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1980/2000 wriet il-ħtieġa li tiġi emendata dik l-iskema tal-ekotikketta Komunitarja sabiex tiżdied l-effikaċja tagħha u jiġi ssimplifikat it-tħaddim tagħha.

(3) The amended scheme (hereinafter "the EU Ecolabel scheme") should be implemented in compliance with the provisions of the Treaties, including, in particular, the precautionary principle as laid down in Article 174(2) of the EC Treaty.

(3) L-iskema emendata (minn hawn 'il quddiem, "l-Ekotikketta tal-UE") għandha tiġi implimentata f'konformita' mad-dispożizzjonijiet tat-Trattati, inkluż, partikolarment, il-prinċipju ta' prekawzjoni kif stabbilit fl-Artikolu 174(2) tat-Trattat KE.

(4) It is necessary to ensure coordination between the EU Ecolabel scheme and the establishment of the requirements in the context of Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy related products [5].

(4) Jeħtieġ li tkun żgurata koordinazzjoni bejn l-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u l-istabbiliment tar-rekwiżiti fil-kuntest tad-Direttiva 2009/125/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tal- 21 ta' Ottubru 2009 dwar it-twaqqif ta' qafas għall-iffissar tar-rekwiżiti għall-ekodisinn ta' prodotti relatati mal-enerġija [5].

(5) The EU Ecolabel scheme is part of the sustainable consumption and production policy of the Community, which aims at reducing the negative impact of consumption and production on the environment, health, climate and natural resources. The scheme is intended to promote those products which have a high level of environmental performance through the use of the EU Ecolabel. To this effect, it is appropriate to require that the criteria with which products must comply in order to bear the EU Ecolabel be based on the best environmental performance achieved by products on the Community market. Those criteria should be simple to understand and to use and should be based on scientific evidence, taking into consideration the latest technological developments. Those criteria should be market oriented and limited to the most significant environmental impacts of products during their whole life cycle.

(5) L-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE hija parti mill-politika dwar konsum u produzzjoni sostenibbli tal-Komunità, li għandha l-għan li tnaqqas l-impatt negattiv tal-konsum u tal-produzzjoni fuq l-ambjent, is-saħħa, il-klima u r-riżorsi naturali. L-iskema hija maħsuba biex tippromwovi dawk il-prodotti li jkollhom livell għoli ta’ prestazzjoni ambjentali permezz tal-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE. Għal dan il-għan, huwa xieraq li jinħtieġ li l-kriterji li l-prodotti jridu jkunu konformi magħhom sabiex ikollhom fuqhom l-Ekotikketta tal-UE jkunu bbażati fuq l-aqwa prestazzjoni ambjentali miksuba mill-prodotti fis-suq Komunitarju. Dawk il-kriterji għandhom ikunu sempliċi biex jinftiehmu u biex jintużaw, u għandhom ikunu bbażati fuq evidenza xjentifika, billi jiġu kkunsidrati l-aħħar żviluppi teknoloġiċi. Dawk il-kriterji għandhom ikunu orjentati lejn is-suq u limitati għall-aktar impatti ambjentali sinifikanti tal-prodotti matul iċ-ċiklu kollu tal-ħajja tagħhom.

(6) In order to avoid the proliferation of environmental labelling schemes and to encourage higher environmental performance in all sectors for which environmental impact is a factor in consumer choice, the possibility of using the EU Ecolabel should be extended. However, for food and feed product groups, a study should be undertaken to ensure that criteria are feasible and that added value can be guaranteed. For food and feed products, as well as unprocessed agricultural products that lie within the scope of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products [6], the option that only those products certified as organic would be eligible for award of the EU Ecolabel should be considered, to avoid confusion for consumers.

(6) Sabiex tkun evitata l-proliferazzjoni tal-iskemi tal-ittikkettar ambjentali u sabiex tkun inkoraġġita prestazzjoni ambjentali akbar fis-setturi kollha fejn l-impatt ambjentali ikun fattur fl-għażla tal-konsumatur, il-possibbiltà li tintuża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandha tkun estiża. Madankollu, għall-gruppi ta’ prodotti tal-ikel u tal-għalf, għandu jsir studju biex jiżgura li l-kriterji huma fattibbli u li l-valur miżjud jista’ jkun garantit. Għall-prodotti tal-ikel u tal-għalf, kif ukoll għall-prodotti tal-biedja li ma jkunux ipproċessati li jaqgħu taħt il-kamp ta’ applikazzjoni tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 834/2007 tat- 28 ta' Ġunju 2007 dwar il-produzzjoni organika u t-tikkettar ta' prodotti organiċi [6] għandha tkun ikkunsidrata l-għażla li jkunu biss dawk il-prodotti ċertifikati bħala organiċi li jistgħu jkunu eliġibbli għall-għotja tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, biex tkun evitata l-konfużjoni għall-konsumaturi.

(7) The EU Ecolabel should aim at substituting hazardous substances by safer substances, wherever technically possible.

(7) L-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jkollha l-għan li jkunu sostitwiti sustanzi perikolużi b'sustanzi aktar sikuri, fejn ikun teknikament possibbli.

(8) For the acceptance by the general public of the EU Ecolabel scheme, it is essential that environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and consumer organisations play an important role and be actively involved in the development and setting of EU Ecolabel criteria.

(8) Sabiex l-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE tiġi aċċettata mill-pubbliku ġenerali, huwa essenzjali li l-organizzazzjonijiet mhux governattivi (NGOs) ambjentali u l-organizzazzjonijiet tal-konsumatur ikollhom rwol importanti u jkunu involuti b’mod attiv fl-iżvilupp u fit-tħejjija tal-kriterji għall-Ekotikketti tal-UE.

(9) It is desirable that any interested party may lead the development or revision of EU Ecolabel criteria provided that common procedural rules are followed and that the process is coordinated by the Commission. In order to ensure the overall coherence of the Community's action, it is also appropriate to require that the latest strategic objectives of the Community in the field of the environment, such as Environment Action Programmes, Sustainable Development Strategies and Climate Change Programmes, be taken into account in the development or revision of EU Ecolabel criteria.

(9) Huwa kunsiljabbli li kwalunkwe parti interessata tkun tista’ tmexxi l-iżvilupp jew ir-reviżjoni tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE sakemm jiġu segwiti r-regoli proċedurali komuni u li l-proċess ikun ikkoordinat mill-Kummisjoni. Sabiex tkun żgurata l-koerenza globali tal-azzjoni Komunitarja, huwa wkoll xieraq li jkun rekwiżit li fl-iżvilupp jew ir-reviżjoni tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE jitqiesu l-aktar għanijiet strateġiċi reċenti tal-Komunità fil-qasam tal-ambjent, bħall-Programmi ta’ Azzjoni Ambjentali, l-Istrateġiji għall-Iżvilupp Sostenibbli u l-Programmi tat-Tibdil fil-Klima.

(10) In order to simplify the EU Ecolabel scheme and to reduce the administrative burden associated with the use of the EU Ecolabel, the assessment and verification procedures should be streamlined.

(10) Sabiex l-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE tiġi ssimplifikata u jitnaqqas il-piż amministrattiv assoċjat mal-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, il-proċeduri ta’ valutazzjoni u ta’ verifika għandhom jiġu simplifikati.

(11) It is appropriate to provide for the conditions under which the EU Ecolabel may be used and, in order to ensure compliance with those conditions, to require competent bodies to undertake verifications and to prohibit the use of the EU Ecolabel where the conditions for use have not been complied with. It is also appropriate to require Member States to lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and to ensure that they are implemented.

(11) Huwa xieraq li jkunu pprovduti l-kondizzjonijiet fejn tista’ tintuża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE u, sabiex tkun żgurata l-konformità ma’ dawk il-kondizzjonijiet, ikun meħtieġ li l-korpi kompetenti jwettqu verifiki wara r-reġistrazzjoni u jipprojbixxu l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE fejn ma jkunx hemm konformità mal-kondizzjonijiet għall-użu. Huwa wkoll xieraq li jinħtieġ li l-Istati Membri jistabbilixxu r-regoli dwar il-pieni applikabbli għall-ksur ta’ dan ir-Regolament u li jkun żgurat li dawn jiġu implimentati.

(12) In order to increase the use of the EU Ecolabel and in order to encourage those whose products meet the EU Ecolabel criteria, the costs of using the EU Ecolabel should be reduced.

(12) Sabiex jiżdied l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u sabiex ikunu inkoraġġiti dawk l-operaturi li l-prodotti tagħhom jissodisfaw il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, l-ispejjeż biex tintuża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandhom jitnaqqsu.

(13) It is necessary to inform the public and to raise public awareness of the EU Ecolabel through promotion actions, information and education campaigns, at local, national and Community levels, in order to make consumers aware of the meaning of the EU Ecolabel and to enable them to make informed choices. It is also necessary in order to make the scheme more attractive to producers and retailers.

(13) Jeħtieġ li l-pubbliku jkun infurmat u li titqajjem kuxjenza pubblika dwar l-Ekotikketta tal-UE billi jiġu promossi azzjonijiet, kampanji ta' informazzjoni u ta’ edukazzjoni, f’livell lokali, nazzjonali u Komunitarju, sabiex il-konsumaturi jsiru konxji mit-tifsira tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u jkunu jistgħu jagħmlu għażliet informati. Dan huwa meħtieġ ukoll biex l-iskema ssir aktar attraenti għall-produtturi u għall-bejjiegħa bl-imnut.

(14) Member States should consider guidelines when they establish their national Green Public Procurement Action Plans and could consider the setting of targets for public purchasing of environmental friendly products.

(14) L-Istati Membri għandhom jikkunsidraw linji gwida meta jistabbilixxu l-Pjanijiet ta’ Azzjoni dwar l-Akkwist Pubbliku Ekoloġiku u jistgħu jikkunsidraw li jiffissaw miri għall-akkwist pubbliku għal prodotti li jkunu favur l-ambjent.

(15) In order to facilitate the marketing of products bearing environmental labels at national and Community levels, to limit additional work for companies, in particular SMEs, and to avoid confusing consumers, it is also necessary to enhance the coherence and promote harmonisation between the EU Ecolabel scheme and national ecolabelling schemes in the Community.

(15) Sabiex tkun iffaċilitata l-kummerċjalizzazzjoni fuq il-livell nazzjonali u Komunitarju tal-prodotti li jkollhom fuqhom tikketti ambjentali, biex ikun limitat xogħol addizzjonali għall-kumpaniji, partikolarment għall-SMEs, u sabiex ikun evitat li l-konsumaturi jiġu konfużi, jeħtieġ ukoll li titkabbar il-koerenza u tiġi promossa l-armonizzazzjoni bejn l-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u l-iskemi tal-ekotikkettar nazzjonali fil-Komunità.

(16) In order to ensure a harmonised application of the awarding system and of the market surveillance and control of the use of the EU Ecolabel throughout the Community, competent bodies should exchange information and experiences.

(16) Sabiex tkun żgurata applikazzjoni armonizzata tas-sistema tal-għoti tat-tikketta u tas-sorveljanza tas-swieq u tal-kontroll tal-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE mal-Komunità kollha, il-korpi kompetenti għandhom jagħmlu skambju tal-informazzjoni u tal-esperjenzi.

(17) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission [7].

(17) Il-miżuri meħtieġa għall-implimentazzjoni ta’ dan ir-Regolament għandhom jiġu adottati skont id-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill 1999/468/KE tat- 28 ta’ Ġunju 1999 li tistabbilixxi l-proċeduri għall-eżerċizzju tas-setgħat ta’ implimentazzjoni mogħtija lill-Kummissjoni [7].

(18) In particular, the Commission should be empowered to adopt the criteria with which products must comply in order to bear the EU Ecolabel and to amend the Annexes to this Regulation. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, inter alia by supplementing it with new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC.

(18) B’mod partikolari, il-Kummissjoni għandha tingħata s-setgħa li tadotta l-kriterji li magħhom il-prodotti jridu jkunu konformi sabiex ikollhom fuqhom l-Ekotikketta tal-UE u li temenda l-Annessi għal dan ir-Regolament. Peress li dawk il-miżuri għandhom ambitu ġenerali u huma mfassla sabiex jemendaw l-elementi mhux essenzjali ta’ dan ir-Regolament, fost l-oħrajn billi jissupplimentawh b’elementi mhux essenzjali ġodda, iridu jiġu adottati skont il-proċedura regolatorja bi skrutinju pprovduta fl-Artikolu 5a tad-Deċiżjoni 1999/468/KE.

(19) For reasons of clarity and legal certainty, Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 should therefore be replaced by this Regulation.

(19) Għalhekk, għal raġunijiet ta’ ċarezza u ta’ ċertezza legali, ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1980/2000 għandu jiġi sostitwit minn dan ir-Regolament.

(20) Appropriate transitional provisions should be provided to ensure a smooth transition between Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 and this Regulation,

(20) Għandhom isiru dispożizzjoniijiet tranżitorji adegwati sabiex tkun żgurata tranżizzjoni mingħajr problemi bejn ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1980/2000 u dan ir-Regolament,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

ADOTTAW DAN IR-REGOLAMENT:

Article 1

Artikolu 1

Subject matter

Suġġett

This Regulation lays down rules for the establishment and application of the voluntary EU Ecolabel scheme.

Dan ir-Regolament jistabbilixxi regoli għall-istabbiliment u għall-applikazzjoni tal-iskema volontarja tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

Article 2

Artikolu 2

Scope

Kamp ta’ applikazzjoni

1. This Regulation shall apply to any goods or services which are supplied for distribution, consumption or use on the Community market whether in return for payment or free of charge (hereinafter "products").

1. Dan ir-Regolament għandu japplika għal kwalunkwe oġġett jew servizz li jiġi pprovdut għad-distribuzzjoni, għall-konsum jew għall-użu fis-suq Komunitarju kemm jekk bi ħlas jew b’xejn (minn hawn ’il quddiem, "prodotti").

2. This Regulation shall apply neither to medicinal products for human use, as defined in Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use [8], or for veterinary use, as defined in Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products [9], nor to any type of medical device.

2. Dan ir-Regolament m’għandux japplika la għall-prodotti mediċi għall-użu mill-bniedem, kif definit fid-Direttiva 2001/83/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tas- 6 ta’ Novembru 2001 dwar il-kodiċi tal-Komunità li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ prodotti mediċinali għall-użu mill-bniedem [8], jew għall-użu veterinarju, kif definit mid-Direttiva 2001/82/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tas- 6 ta’ Novembru 2001 dwar il-kodiċi tal-Komunità rigward il-prodotti mediċinali veterinarji [9], u lanqas għal kwalunkwe tip ta’ tagħmir mediku.

Article 3

Artikolu 3

Definitions

Definizzjonijiet

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

Għall-finijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament, għandhom japplikaw id-definizzjonijiet li ġejjin:

1. "product group" means a set of products that serve similar purposes and are similar in terms of use, or have similar functional properties, and are similar in terms of consumer perception;

1. "grupp ta’ prodotti" tfisser sett ta’ prodotti li jaqdu finijiet simili u huma simili f’termini ta’ użu, jew li għandhom proprjetajiet funzjonali simili, u huma simili f'termini ta’ perċezzjoni tal-konsumatur;

2. "operator" means any producer, manufacturer, importer, service provider, wholesaler or retailer;

2. "operatur" tfisser kwalunkwe produttur, manifattur, importatur, fornitur ta' servizz, bejjiegħ bl-ingrossa jew bl-imnut;

3. "environmental impact" means any change to the environment resulting wholly or partially from a product during its life cycle;

3. "impatt ambjentali" tfisser kwalunkwe bidla fl-ambjent li tirriżulta b’mod sħiħ jew parzjali minn prodott matul iċ-ċiklu ta’ ħajja tiegħu;

4. "environmental performance" means the result of a manufacturer's management of those characteristics of a product that cause environmental impact;

4. "prestazzjoni ambjentali" tfisser ir-riżultat tal-ġestjoni, min-naħa tal-manifattur, ta’ dawk il-karatteristiċi ta' prodott li jikkawżaw impatt ambjentali;

5. "verification" means a procedure to certify that a product complies with specified EU Ecolabel criteria.

5. "verifika" tfisser proċedura li tiċċertifika li prodott jikkonforma mal-kriterji speċifikati tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

Article 4

Artikolu 4

Competent bodies

Korpi kompetenti

1. Each Member State shall designate the body or bodies, within government ministries or outside, responsible for carrying out the tasks provided for in this Regulation ("the competent body" or "the competent bodies") and ensure that they are operational. Where more than one competent body is designated, the Member State shall determine those bodies’ respective powers and the coordination requirements applicable to them.

1. Kull Stat Membru għandu jaħtar l-entità jew l-entitajiet, fil-ministeri tal-gvern jew barra minnhom, responsabbli mit-twettiq tal-kompiti pprovduti f’dan ir-Regolament (minn hawn ’il quddiem: il-"korp kompetenti" jew il-"korpi kompetenti") u għandu jkun żgur li dawn ikunu operattivi. Fejn jinħatru aktar minn korp kompetenti wieħed, l-Istat Membru għandu jiddetermina s-setgħat rispettivi ta’ dawk l-entitajiet u r-rekwiżiti ta’ koordinazzjoni li japplikaw għalihom.

2. The composition of the competent bodies shall be such as to guarantee their independence and neutrality and their rules of procedure shall be such as to ensure transparency in the conduct of their activities as well as the involvement of all interested parties.

2. Il-kompożizzjoni tal-korpi kompetenti għandha tkun tali li tiggarantixxi l-indipendenza u n-newtralità tagħhom u r-regoli ta’ proċedura tagħhom għandhom ikunu tali li jiżguraw it-trasparenza fit-twettiq tal-attivitajiet tagħhom kif ukoll fl-involviment tal-partijiet interessati kollha.

3. Member States shall ensure that competent bodies meet the requirements laid down in Annex V.

3. L-Istati Membri għandhom jiżguraw li l-korpi kompetenti jissodisfaw ir-rekwiżiti stabbiliti fl-Anness V.

4. Competent bodies shall ensure that the verification process is carried out in a consistent, neutral and reliable manner by a party independent from the operator being verified, based on international, European or national standards and procedures concerning bodies operating product-certification schemes.

4. Il-korpi kompetenti għandhom jiżguraw li l-proċess ta’ verifika jitwettaq b’mod konsistenti, newtrali u affidabbli minn korp li jkun indipendenti mill-operatur li qed ikun verifikat, fuq il-bażi ta’ standards u proċeduri internazzjonali, Ewropej jew nazzjonali dwar korpi li joperaw skemi ta’ ċertifikazzjoni ta’ prodott.

Article 5

Artikolu 5

European Union Ecolabelling Board

Bord tal-Ekotikkettar tal-Unjoni Ewropea

1. The Commission shall establish a European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) consisting of the representatives of the competent bodies of all the Member States, as referred to in Article 4, and of other interested parties. The EUEB shall elect its president according to its rules of procedure. It shall contribute to the development and revision of EU Ecolabel criteria and to any review of the implementation of the EU Ecolabel scheme. It shall also provide the Commission with advice and assistance in these areas and, in particular, issue recommendations on minimum environmental performance requirements.

1. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tistabbilixxi Bord tal-Ekotikkettar tal-Unjoni Ewropea (EUEB), li jikkonsisti fir-rappreżentanti tal-korpi kompetenti tal-Istati Membri kollha, kif imsemmi fl-Artikolu 4, u ta’ partijiet interessati oħrajn. L-EUEB għandu jeleġġi l-president tiegħu skont ir-regoli ta' proċedura tiegħu. Huwa għandu jikkontribwixxi għall-iżvilupp u r-reviżjoni tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u għall-kwalunkwe reviżjoni tal-implimentazzjoni tal-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE. Huwa għandu wkoll jipprovdi lill-Kummissjoni b’parir u b’għajnuna f’dawn l-oqsma, u b’mod partikolari, għandu joħroġ rakkomandazzjonijiet dwar ir-rekwiżiti minimi tal-prestazzjoni ambjentali.

2. The Commission shall ensure that, in the conduct of its activities, the EUEB observes a balanced participation of all relevant interested parties in respect of each product group, such as competent bodies, producers, manufacturers, importers, service providers, wholesalers, retailers, notably SMEs, and environmental protection groups and consumer organisations.

2. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tkun żgura li, fit-twettiq tal-attivitajiet tiegħu, l-EUEB josserva parteċipazzjoni bbilanċjata tal-partijiet interessati rilevanti kollha li jkunu kkonċernati b’kull grupp ta’ prodotti, bħall-korpi kompetenti, produtturi, manifatturi, importaturi, fornituri ta’ servizz, bejjiegħa bl-imnut, bejjiegħa, notevolment SMEs, u l-gruppi tal-ħarsien ambjentali u l-organizzazzjonijiet tal-konsumaturi.

Article 6

Artikolu 6

General requirements for EU Ecolabel criteria

Rekwiżiti ġenerali għall-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE

1. EU Ecolabel criteria shall be based on the environmental performance of products, taking into account the latest strategic objectives of the Community in the field of the environment.

1. Il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandhom ikunu bbażati fuq il-prestazzjoni ambjentali tal-prodotti, b'kont meħud ta' l-aktar għanijiet strateġiċi reċenti tal-Komunità fil-qasam tal-ambjent.

2. EU Ecolabel criteria shall set out the environmental requirements that a product must fulfil in order to bear the EU Ecolabel.

2. Il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandhom jistabbilixxu r-rekwiżiti ambjentali li jrid jissodisfa prodott sabiex ikollu fuqu l-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

3. EU Ecolabel criteria shall be determined on a scientific basis considering the whole life cycle of products. In determining such criteria, the following shall be considered:

3. Il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandhom jiġu ddeterminati fuq bażi xjentifika b'kont meħud taċ-ċiklu ta' ħajja sħiħ tal-prodotti. Fid-determinazzjoni ta' dawn il-kriterji, għandhom jitqiesu dawn li ġejjin:

(a) the most significant environmental impacts, in particular the impact on climate change, the impact on nature and biodiversity, energy and resource consumption, generation of waste, emissions to all environmental media, pollution through physical effects and use and release of hazardous substances;

a) l-aktar impatti ambjentali sinifikanti, b’mod partikolari l-impatt fuq it-tibdil fil-klima, l-impatt fuq in-natura u l-bijodiversità, il-konsum tal-enerġija u tar-riżorsi, il-ġenerazzjoni tal-iskart, l-emissjonijiet lill-mezzi ambjentali kollha, it-tniġġis permezz ta’ effetti fiżiċi u l-użu u r-rilaxx ta’ sustanzi perikolużi;

(b) the substitution of hazardous substances by safer substances, as such or via the use of alternative materials or designs, wherever it is technically feasible;

b) is-sostituzzjoni ta' sustanzi ta' ħsara b'sustanzi li huma aktar siguri, bħala tali jew permezz tal-użu ta’ materjali jew tfassil alternattivi, kull fejn dan huwa teknikament fattibbli;

(c) the potential to reduce environmental impacts due to durability and reusability of products;

c) il-potenzjal li jitnaqqsu l-impatti ambjentali bis-saħħa tar-resistenza u tal-użu mill-ġdid tal-prodotti;

(d) the net environmental balance between the environmental benefits and burdens, including health and safety aspects, at the various life stages of the products;

d) il-bilanċ ambjentali nett bejn il-benefiċċji u l-piżijiet ambjentali, inklużi aspetti ta' saħħa u sikurezza, fid-diversi stadji tal-ħajja tal-prodotti;

(e) where appropriate, social and ethical aspects, e.g. by making reference to related international conventions and agreements such as relevant ILO standards and codes of conduct;

e) fejn xieraq, l-aspetti soċjali u etiċi, pereżempju billi ssir referenza għall-konvenzjonijiet u l-ftehimiet internazzjonali relevanti bħall-istandards rilevanti tal-ILO u l-kodiċi ta' kondotta;

(f) criteria established for other environmental labels, particularly officially recognised, nationally or regionally, EN ISO 14024 type I environmental labels, where they exist for that product group so as to enhance synergies;

f) il-kriterji stabbiliti għal tikketti ambjentali oħrajn, b'mod partikolari dawk rikonoxxuti uffiċjalment fuq livell nazzjonali jew reġjonali, tikketti ambjentali EN ISO 14024 tat-tip I, fejn dawn jeżistu għal dak il-grupp ta' prodotti biex jissaħħu s-sinerġiji;

(g) as far as possible the principle of reducing animal testing.

g) sa fejn hu possibbli, l-prinċipju ta' tnaqqis ta' testijiet fuq l-annimali.

4. EU Ecolabel criteria shall include requirements intended to ensure that the products bearing the EU Ecolabel function adequately in accordance with their intended use.

4. Il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandhom jinkludu r-rekwiżiti maħsuba sabiex jiżguraw li l-prodotti li jkollhom fuqhom l-Ekotikketta tal-UE jiffunzjonaw b’mod adegwat skont l-użu ppjanat tagħhom.

5. Before developing EU Ecolabel criteria for food and feed products, as defined in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety [10], the Commission shall undertake a study, by 31 December 2011 at the latest, exploring the feasibility of establishing reliable criteria covering environmental performance during the whole life cycle of such products, including the products of fishing and aquaculture. The study should pay particular attention to the impact of any EU Ecolabel criteria on food and feed products, as well as unprocessed agricultural products that lie within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. The study should consider the option that only those products certified as organic would be eligible for award of the EU Ecolabel, to avoid confusion for consumers.

5. Qabel jiġi żviluppat kriterju tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għall-prodotti tal-ikel u tal-għalf, kif definiti fir-Regolament (KE) Nru 178/2002 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat- 28 ta' Jannar 2002 li jistipula l-prinċipji ġenerali u r-rekwiżiti tal-liġi dwar l-ikel, li jistabbilixxi l-Awtorità Ewropea għas-Sikurezza tal-Ikel u jistipula l-proċeduri fi kwistjonijiet ta' sikurezza tal-ikel [10], il-Kummissjoni għandha tagħmel studju, sal- 31 ta’ Diċembru 2011 l-aktar tard, li jesplora l-fattibbiltà li jkunu stabbiliti kriterji affidabbli li jkopru l-prestazzjoni ambjentali ta’ dawn il-prodotti tul iċ-ċiklu tal-ħajja tagħhom, inklużi prodotti tas-sajd u l-akwakultura. L-istudju għandu jagħti attenzjoni partikolari għall-impatt ta’ kwalunkwe Ekotikketta tal-UE fuq prodotti tal-ikel u għalf, kif ukoll prodotti agrikoki mhux proċessati, li jaqgħu taħt il-kamp ta’ applikazzjoni tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 834/2007. L-istudju għandu jikkunsidra l-għażla li jkunu biss dawk il-prodotti ċertifikati bħala organiċi li jistgħu jkunu eliġibbli biex jirċievu l-għotja ta' Ekotikketta tal-UE, biex tkun evitata konfużjoni għall-konsumaturi.

The Commission shall decide, taking into account the outcome of the study and the opinion of the EUEB, for which group of food and feed, if any, the development of EU Ecolabel criteria is feasible, in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 16(2).

Il-Kummissjoni għandha tiddeċiedi, waqt li tqis l-eżitu tal-istudju u l-opinjoni tal-EUEB, għal liema grupp ta’ ikel u għalf, jekk ikun il-każ, huma fattibbli l-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, konformement mal-proċedura regolatorja bi skrutinju stabbilita fl-Artikolu 16(2).

6. The EU Ecolabel may not be awarded to goods containing substances or preparations/mixtures meeting the criteria for classification as toxic, hazardous to the environment, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures [11], nor to goods containing substances referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency [12].

6. L-Ekotikketta tal-UE ma għandhiex tingħata għal prodotti li jkun fihom sustanzi jew preparamenti/taħlitiet jistgħu ikunu kklassifikati bħala tossiċi, perikolużi għall-ambjent, karċinoġeniċi, mutaġeniċi jew tossiċi għar-riproduzzjoni (CMR), skont ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1272/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tas- 16 ta' Diċembru 2008 dwar il-klassifikazzjoni, l-ittikkettar u l-imballaġġ tas-sustanzi u t-taħlitiet [11], u lanqas ma għandha tingħata għal oġġetti li fihom sustanzi msemmija fl-Artikolu 57 tar-Regolament 1907/2006/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat- 18 ta' Diċembru 2008 dwar ir-reġistrazzjoni, il-valutazzjoni, l-awtorizzazzjoni u r-restrizzjoni ta' sustanzi kimiċi (REACH), li jistabbilixxi Aġenzija Ewropea għas-Sustanzi Kimiċi [12].

7. For specific categories of goods containing substances referred to in paragraph 6, and only in the event that it is not technically feasible to substitute them as such, or via the use of alternative materials or designs, or in the case of products which have a significantly higher overall environment performance compared with other goods of the same category, the Commission may adopt measures to grant derogations from paragraph 6. No derogation shall be given concerning substances that meet the criteria of Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and that are identified according to the procedure described in Article 59(1) of that Regulation, present in mixtures, in an article or in any homogeneous part of a complex article in concentrations higher than 0,1 % (weight by weight). Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 16(2).

7. Il-Kummissjoni tista' tadotta miżuri biex tagħti derogi mill-paragrafu 6 għal kategoriji speċifiċi ta’ oġġetti li fihom sustanzi imsemmija fil-paragrafu 6, u biss fejn ma jkunx fattibbli li dawn ikunu sostituti bħala tali, jew permezz tal-użu ta' materjali jew tfassil alternattivi, jew fil-każ ta' prodotti li għandhom prestazzjoni ambjentali ġenerali ogħla sew meta mqabbla ma' prodotti oħra fl-istess kategorija. L-ebda deroga ma għandha tingħata fir-rigward ta' sustanzi li jissodisfaw il-kriterji tal-Artikolu 57 tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1907/2006 u li jkunu identifikati skont il-proċedura deskritta fl-Artikolu 59(1) ta’ dak ir-Regolament, preżenti f’taħlitiet, f’artikolu jew fi kwalunkwe parti omoġenja ta’ artikolu kumpless f’konċentrazzjonijiet akbar minn 0,1 % (piż fuq piż). Dawk il-miżuri, maħsuba biex jemendaw elementi mhux essenzjali ta’ dan ir-Regolament, għandhom jiġu adottati skont il-proċedura regolatorja bi skrutinju msemmija fl-Artikolu 16(2).

Article 7

Artikolu 7

Development and revision of EU Ecolabel criteria

Żvilupp u reviżjoni tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE

1. Following consultation of the EUEB, the Commission, Member States, competent bodies and other stakeholders may initiate and lead the development or revision of EU Ecolabel criteria. Where such other stakeholders are put in charge of leading the development of criteria, they must demonstrate expertise in the product area, as well as the ability to lead the process with neutrality and in line with the aims of this Regulation. In this regard, consortiums consisting of more than one interest group shall be favoured.

1. Wara li tikkonsulta lill-EUEB, il-Kummissjoni l-Istati Membri, il-korpi kompetenti u l-partijiet interessati l-oħra jistgħu jagħtu bidu u jmexxu l-iżvilupp jew ir-reviżjoni tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE. Fejn tali partijiet interessati oħra jitqiegħdu jmexxu l-iżvilupp tal-kriterji, dawn għandhom juru esperjenza esperta fil-qasam tal-prodott, kif ukoll il-kapaċità li jmexxu l-proċess b'newtralità u f'konformità mal-għanijiet ta' dan ir-Regolament. F'dan ir-rigward, il-konsorzji li jikkonsistu f'aktar minn grupp ta' interess wieħed għandhom jiġu ppreferuti.

The party which initiates and leads the development or revision of EU Ecolabel criteria shall, in accordance with the procedure set out in Part A of Annex I, produce the following documents:

Il-parti li tagħti bidu u tmexxi l-iżvilupp jew ir-reviżjoni tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandha, f'konformità mal-proċedura stabbilita fil-Parti A tal-Anness I, tippreżenta d-dokumenti li ġejjin:

(a) a preliminary report;

(a) rapport preliminari;

(b) a proposal for draft criteria;

(b) proposta għal abbozz ta' kriterji;

(c) a technical report in support of the proposal for draft criteria;

(c) rapport tekniku b’sostenn tal- proposta għal abbozz ta' kriterji;

(d) a final report;

(d) rapport finali;

(e) a manual for potential users of the EU Ecolabel and competent bodies;

(e) manwal għall-utenti potenzjali tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u għall-entitjaiet kompetenti;

(f) a manual for authorities awarding public contracts.

(f) manwal għall-awtoritajiet li jagħtu l-kuntratti pubbliċi.

Those documents shall be submitted to the Commission and to the EUEB.

Dawk id-dokumenti għandhom jitressqu quddiem il-Kummissjoni u lill-EUEB.

2. Where criteria have already been developed under another ecolabel scheme complying with the requirements of EN ISO 14024 type I environmental labels for a product group for which no EU Ecolabel criteria have been established, any Member State in which the other ecolabel scheme is recognised may, after consulting the Commission and the EUEB, propose those criteria for development under the EU Ecolabel scheme.

2. Fejn ikunu diġà ġew żviluppati kriterji taħt skema oħra ta' ekotikketta li tikkonforma mar-rekwiżiti tat-tikketti ambjentali EN ISO 14024 tat-tip I għal grupp ta' prodotti li għalih m'hemm stabbiliti ebda kriterju tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, kwalunkwe Stat Membru fejn tkun rikonoxxuta l-iskema l-oħra ta' ekotikketta, jista', wara li jikkonsulta lill-Kummissjoni u lill-EUEB, jipproponi dawk il-kriterji biex jiġu żviluppati taħt l-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

In such cases, the shortened criteria development procedure laid down in Part B of Annex I may apply provided that the proposed criteria have been developed in line with Part A of Annex I. Either the Commission or the Member State which, according to the first subparagraph, has proposed the shortened criteria development procedure shall lead that procedure.

F’każijiet bħal dawn, tista’ tapplika l-proċedura mqassra għall-iżvilupp tal-kriterji stabbilita fl-Anness I, sakemm il-kriterji proposti jkunu ġew żviluppati skont il-Parti A tal-Anness I. Għandha tmexxi dik il-proċedura jew il-Kummissjoni jew l-Istat Membru li, skont l-ewwel subparagrafu, kien ippropona l-proċedura mqassra għall-iżvilupp tal-kriterji.

3. Where a non-substantial revision of the criteria is necessary, the shortened revision procedure laid down in Part C of Annex I may apply.

3. Fejn ikun hemm il-ħtieġa ta' reviżjoni mhux sostanzjali tal-kriterji, tista’ tapplika l-proċedura ta’ reviżjoni mqassra stabbilita fil-Parti C tal-Anness I.

4. By 19 February 2011, the EUEB and the Commission shall agree on a working plan including a strategy and a non-exhaustive list of product groups. This plan will consider other Community action (e.g. in the field of green public procurement) and may be updated according to the latest strategic objectives of the Community in the field of the environment. This plan shall be regularly updated.

4. Sa 19 ta’ Frar 2011, l-EUEB u l-Kummissjoni għandhom jaqblu dwar pjan ta’ ħidma li jinkludi strateġija u lista mhux eżawrjenti ta’ gruppi ta' prodotti. Dan il-pjan għandu jqis azzjonijiet oħra tal-Kummissjoni (pereżempju fil-qasam tal-akkwist pubbliku ekoloġiku) u jista’ jkun aġġornat skont l-aħħar objettivi strateġiċi tal-Komunità fil-qasam tal-ambjent. Dan il-pjan għandu jiġi aġġornat regolarment.

Article 8

Artikolu 8

Establishment of EU Ecolabel criteria

Stabbiliment tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE

1. Draft EU Ecolabel criteria shall be developed in accordance with the procedure laid down in Annex I and taking into account the working plan.

1. Għandu jiġi mfassal abbozz ta’ kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE skont il-proċedura stabbilita fl-Aness I u b'kont meħud tal-pjan ta’ ħidma.

2. The Commission shall, no later than nine months after consulting the EUEB, adopt measures to establish specific EU Ecolabel criteria for each product group. These measures shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

2. Wara li tikkonsulta lill-EUEB, il-Kummissjoni għandha, mhux inqas minn disa’ xhur wara, tadotta miżuri sabiex tistabbilixxi kriterji speċifiċi tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għal kull grupp ta’ prodotti. Dawn il-miżuri għandhom ikunu ppubblikati fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

In its final proposal, the Commission shall take into account the comments of the EUEB and shall clearly highlight, document and provide explanations for the reasoning behind any changes in its final proposal compared to the proposal for draft criteria following the consultation of the EUEB.

Fil-proposta finali tagħha, il-Kummissjoni għandha tikkunsidra l-kummenti tal-EUEB u b'mod ċar għandha tenfasizza, tiddokumenta u tagħti spjegazzjonijiet dwar ir-raġunijiet li wasslu għal xi tibdil fil-proposta finali tagħha meta mqabbla mal-proposta għal abbozz ta' kriterji mressqa wara l-konsultazzjoni mal-EUEB.

Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 16(2).

Dawk il-miżuri, maħsuba biex jemendaw l-elementi mhux essenzjali ta’ dan ir-Regolament, billi jissupplimentawh, għandhom jiġu adottati skont il-proċedura regolatorja bi skrutinju msemmija fl-Artikolu 16(2).

3. In the measures referred to in paragraph 2 the Commission shall:

3. Fil-miżuri li jissemmew fil-paragrafu 2, il-Kummissjoni għandha:

(a) establish requirements for assessing the compliance of specific products with EU Ecolabel criteria ("assessment requirements");

(a) tistabbilixxi r-rekwiżiti għall-valutazzjoni tal-konformità ta’ prodotti speċifiċi mal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE ("rekwiżiti tal-valutazzjoni");

(b) specify, for each product group, three key environmental characteristics that may be displayed in the optional label with text box described in Annex II;

(b) tispeċifika, għal kull grupp ta' prodotti, it-tliet karatteristiċi ambjentali ewlenin li jistgħu jintwerew fit-tikketta fakultattiva b’kaxxa bil-kitba deskritta fl-Anness II;

(c) specify, for each product group, the relevant period of validity of the criteria and of the assessment requirements;

(c) tispeċifika, għal kull grupp ta' prodotti, il-perijodu rilevanti ta’ validità tal-kriterji u tar-rekwiżiti ta' valutazzjoni;

(d) specify the degree of product variability allowed during the period of validity referred to in point (c).

(d) tispeċifika kemm il-varjabbiltà tal-prodott tista’ tinbidel matul il-perjodu ta’ validità li hemm referenza għalih fil-punt (c).

4. When establishing EU Ecolabel criteria, care shall be taken not to introduce measures whose implementation may impose disproportionate administrative and economic burdens on SMEs.

4. Meta jiġu stabbiliti l-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, wieħed għandu joqgħod attent li ma jkunux introdotti miżuri li l-implimentazzjoni tagħhom tista’ timponi piżijiet amministrattivi u ekonomiċi sproporzjonati fuq l-SMEs.

Article 9

Artikolu 9

Award of the EU Ecolabel and terms and conditions of its use

Għoti tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u termini u kondizzjonijiet tal-użu tagħha

1. Any operator who wishes to use the EU Ecolabel shall apply to the competent bodies referred to in Article 4 in accordance with the following rules:

1. Kwalunkwe operatur li jixtieq juża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu japplika lill-korpi kompetenti li jissemmew fl-Artikolu 4 skont ir-regoli li ġejjin:

(a) where a product originates in a single Member State, the application shall be presented to a competent body of that Member State;

(a) meta prodott joriġina fi Stat Membri wieħed, l-applikazzjoni għandha tiġi ppreżentata lil korp kompetenti ta' dak l-Istat Membru;

(b) where a product originates in the same form in several Member States, the application may be presented to a competent body in one of those Member States;

(b) meta prodott joriġina fl-istess għamla f'diversi Stati Membri, l-applikazzjoni tista' tiġi ppreżentata lil korp kompetenti f'wieħed minn dawk l-Istati Membri;

(c) where a product originates outside the Community, the application shall be presented to a competent body in any of the Member States in which the product is to be or has been placed on the market.

(c) meta prodott joriġina minn barra l-Komunità, l-applikazzjoni għandha tiġi ppreżentata lil korp kompetenti fi kwalunkwe wieħed mill-Istati Membri li fih il-prodott ikun sejjer jitpoġġa jew ikun tqiegħed fis-suq.

2. The EU Ecolabel shall have the form depicted in Annex II.

2. L-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jkollha l-forma murija fl-Anness II.

The EU Ecolabel may only be used in connection with products complying with the EU Ecolabel criteria applicable to the products concerned and for which the EU Ecolabel has been awarded.

L-Ekotikketta tal-UE tista’ tintuża biss b’konnessjoni mal-prodotti li jkunu konformi mal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE applikabbli għall-prodotti kkonċernati u li għalihom tkun ingħatat l-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

3. Applications shall specify the full contact details of the operator, as well as the product group in question and shall contain a full description of the product as well as all other information requested by the competent body.

3. L-applikazzjonijiet għandhom jispeċifikaw id-dettalji kollha ta' kuntatt tal-operatur, kif ukoll il-grupp ta' prodotti inkwistjoni u għandhom jinkludu deskrizzjoni sħiħa tal-prodott kif ukoll kwalunkwe informazzjoni oħra mitluba mill-korp kompetenti.

Applications shall include all relevant documentation, as specified in the relevant Commission measure establishing EU Ecolabel criteria for the product group in question.

L-applikazzjonijiet għandhom jinkludu d-dokumentazzjoni kollha rilevanti, kif speċifikat fil-miżura rilevanti tal-Kummissjoni li tistabbilixxi kriterji għall-Ekotikketta tal-UE għall-grupp ta’ prodotti inkwistjoni.

4. The competent body to which an application is made shall charge fees according to Annex III. The use of the EU Ecolabel shall be conditional upon the fees having been paid in due time.

4. Il-korp kompetenti li tkun saritlu applikazzjoni għandu jitlob ħlasijiet skont l-Anness III. L-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jkun b’kondizzjoni li l-ħlasijiet ikunu ngħataw fi żmien debitu.

5. Within two months of receipt of an application, the competent body concerned shall check whether the documentation is complete and shall notify the operator. The competent body may reject the application if the operator fails to complete the documentation within six months after such notification.

5. Fi żmien xahrejn mill-wasla ta’ applikazzjoni, il-korp kompetenti kkonċernat għandu jivverifika jekk id-dokumentazzjoni hijiex kompleta u għandu jinnotifika lill-operatur. Il-korp kompetenti għandu jiċħad l-applikazzjoni jekk l-operatur jonqos milli jikkompleta d-dokumentazzjoni fi żmien sitt xhur minn tali notifika.

Provided that the documentation is complete and the competent body has verified that the product complies with the EU Ecolabel criteria and assessment requirements published according to Article 8, the competent body shall assign a registration number to the product.

Sakemm id-dokumentazzjoni tkun kompluta u l-korp kompetenti jkun ivverifika li l-prodott jikkonforma mal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u mar-rekwiżiti tal-valutazzjoni ppubblikati skont l-Artikolu 8, il-korp kompetenti għandu jassenja numru ta’ reġistrazzjoni lill-prodott.

Operators shall meet the costs of testing and assessment of conformity with EU Ecolabel criteria. Operators may be charged for travel and accommodation costs where an on-site verification is needed outside the Member State in which the competent body is based.

L-operaturi għandhom iħallsu l-ispejjeż tat-testijiet u tal-valutazzjoni tal-konformità mal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE. L-operaturi jistgħu jintalbu jħallsu l-ispejjeż għall-ivvjaġġar u l-akkomodazzjoni fejn tenħtieġ verifika fuq il-post barra l-Istat Membru li fih lil-korp kompetenti hu bbażat.

6. Where EU Ecolabel criteria require production facilities to meet certain requirements, they shall be met in all facilities in which the product bearing the EU Ecolabel is manufactured. Where appropriate, the competent body shall undertake on-site verifications or assign an authorised agent for that purpose.

6. Fejn il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE jeħtieġu li l-faċilitajiet tal-produzzjoni sabiex jissodisfaw ċerti rekwiżiti, dawn għandhom jiġu sodisfatti fil-faċilitajiet kollha fejn il-prodott li jkollu fuqu l-Ekotikketta tal-UE jiġi ffabbrikat. Fejn meħtieġ, il-korp kompetenti għandu jagħmel verifiki fuq il-post jew jassenja aġenti awtorizzat għal dak il-għan.

7. Competent bodies shall preferentially recognise tests which are accredited according to ISO 17025 and verifications performed by bodies which are accredited under the EN 45011 standard or an equivalent international standard. Competent bodies shall collaborate in order to ensure the effective and consistent implementation of the assessment and verification procedures, notably through the working group referred to in Article 13.

7. Il-korpi kompetenti għandhom jirrikonoxxu preferenzjalment it-testijiet akkreditati skont l-ISO 17025 u l-verifiki mwettqa minn korpi li huma akkreditati skont l-istandard EN 45011 jew standard internazzjonali ekwivalenti. Il-korpi kompetenti għandhom jikkollaboraw sabiex jiżguraw l-implimentazzjoni effettiva u konsistenti tal-proċeduri ta' valutazzjoni u verifika, partikolarment permezz tal-grupp ta' ħidma msemmi fl-Artikolu 13.

8. The competent body shall conclude a contract with each operator, covering the terms of use of the EU Ecolabel (including provisions for the authorisation and withdrawal of the EU Ecolabel, notably following the revision of criteria). To that end a standard contract shall be used in accordance with the template in Annex IV.

8. Il-korp kompetenti jista' jikkonkludi kuntratt ma' kull operatur, li jkopri t-termini tal-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE (inklużi dispożizzjonijiet għall-awtorizzazzjoni u l-irtirar tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, partikolarment wara r-reviżjoni tal-kriterji). Għal dak il-għan għandu jiġi użat kuntratt standard skont il-mudell fl-Anness IV.

9. The operator may place the EU Ecolabel on the product only after conclusion of the contract. The operator shall also place the registration number on the product bearing the EU Ecolabel.

9. L-operatur jista’ jqiegħed l-Ekotikketta tal-UE fuq il-prodott biss wara konklużjoni tal-kuntratt. L-operatur għandu jqiegħed ukoll in-numru ta’ reġistrazzjoni fuq il-prodott li jkollu fuqu l-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

10. The competent body which has awarded the EU Ecolabel to a product shall notify the Commission thereof. The Commission shall establish a common register and update it regularly. That register shall be publicly available on a website dedicated to the EU Ecolabel.

10. Il-korp kompetenti li jkun ta l-Ekotikketta tal-UE lil prodott għandu jinnotifika lill-Kummissjoni b'dan. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tistabbilixxi reġistru komuni u taġġornah regolarment. Dak ir-reġistru għandu jkun pubblikament disponibbli f'portal tal-internet riservat għall-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

11. The EU Ecolabel may be used on the products for which the EU Ecolabel has been awarded and on their associated promotional material.

11. L-Ekotikketta tal-UE tista’ tintuża fuq il-prodotti li għalihom tkun ingħatat l-Ekotikketta tal-UE u fuq il-materjal promozzjonali assoċjat tagħhom.

12. The award of the EU Ecolabel shall be without prejudice to environmental or other regulatory requirements of Community or national law applicable to the various life stages of the product.

12. L-għoti tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jkun mingħajr preġudizzju għar-rekwiżiti ambjentali jew regolatorji oħrajn tal-liġi Komunitarja jew nazzjonali applikabbli għad-diversi stadji tal-ħajja tal-prodott.

13. The right to use the EU Ecolabel shall not extend to the use of the EU Ecolabel as a component of a trademark.

13. Id-dritt li tintuża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE m’għandux ikun estiż għall-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE bħala komponent tal-marka tal-fabbrika.

Article 10

Artikolu 10

Market surveillance and control of the use of the EU Ecolabel

Sorveljanza tas-swieq u l-kontroll tal-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE

1. Any false or misleading advertising or use of any label or logo which leads to confusion with the EU Ecolabel shall be prohibited.

1. Kwalunkwe reklam jew użu ta’ kwalunkwe tikketta jew logo falz jew qarrieqi li jwassal għal konfużjoni mal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jkun ipprojbit.

2. The competent body shall, in respect of products to which it has awarded the EU Ecolabel, verify that the product complies with the EU Ecolabel criteria and assessment requirements published under Article 8, on a regular basis. The competent body shall, as appropriate, also undertake such verifications upon complaint. These verifications may take the form of random spot-checks.

2. Il-korp kompetenti għandu, għal prodotti li għalihom tkun ingħatat l-Ekotikketta tal-UE jagħmel verifiki li l-prodott jikkonforma mal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u r-rekwiżiti ta' valutazzjoni ppubblikati taħt l-Artikolu 8, fuq bażi regolari. Il-korp kompetenti għandu wkoll jagħmel dawn il-verifiki meta jsir ilment, kif xieraq. Dawk il-verifiki jistgħu jieħdu l-forma ta’ kontrolli mhux sistematiċi fil-post.

The competent body which has awarded the EU Ecolabel to the product shall inform the user of the EU Ecolabel of any complaints made concerning the product bearing the EU Ecolabel, and may request the user to reply to those complaints. The competent body may withhold the identity of the complainant from the user.

Il-korp kompetenti li jkun ta l-Ekotikketta tal-UE lill-prodott għandu jinforma lill-utent tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE bi kwalunkwe lment li jkun sar dwar il-prodott li jkollu l-Ekotikketta tal-UE, u jista’ jitlob lill-utent biex jirrispondi għal dawk l-ilmenti. Il-korp kompetenti jista’ ma jiżvelax l-identità tal-persuna li tagħmel l-ilment lill-utent.

3. The user of the EU Ecolabel shall allow the competent body which has awarded the EU Ecolabel to the product to undertake all necessary investigations to monitor its on-going compliance with the product group criteria and Article 9.

3. L-utent tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jippermetti lill-korp kompetenti li jkun ta l-Ekotikketta tal-UE lill-prodott li jwettaq l-investigazzjonijiet kollha meħtieġa sabiex jimmonitorja l-konformità kontinwa tiegħu mal-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti u mal-Artikolu 9.

4. The user of the EU Ecolabel shall, upon request by the competent body which has awarded the EU Ecolabel to the product, grant access to the premises on which the product concerned is produced.

4. Fuq talba tal-korp kompetenti li jkun ta l-Ekotikketta tal-UE lill-prodott, l-utent tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jagħti aċċess għas-siti fejn issir il-produzzjoni tal-prodott ikkonċernat.

The request may be made at any reasonable time and without notice.

It-talba tista’ ssir fi kwalunkwe waqt raġonevoli, u mingħajr avviż bil-quddiem.

5. Where, after giving the user of the EU Ecolabel the opportunity to submit observations, any competent body which finds that a product bearing the EU Ecolabel does not comply with the relevant product group criteria or that the EU Ecolabel is not used in accordance with Article 9, it shall either prohibit the use of the EU Ecolabel on that product, or, in the event that the EU Ecolabel has been awarded by another competent body, it shall inform that competent body. The user of the EU Ecolabel shall not be entitled to repayment of the fees referred to in Article 9(4), either in whole or in part.

5. Fejn, wara li jkun ta lill-utent tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE l-opportunità li jressaq l-osservazzjonijiet, kwalunkwe korp kompetenti li jsib li prodott li jkollu fuqu l-Ekotikketta tal-UE ma jkunx konformi mal-kriterji rilevanti tal-grupp ta’ prodotti jew li l-Ekotikketta tal-UE ma tkunx qed tintuża skont l-Artikolu 9, huwa għandu jew jipprojbixxi l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE fuq dak il-prodott jew, fejn l-Ekotikketta tal-UE tkun ingħatat minn korp kompetenti ieħor, għandu jinforma lil dak il-korp kompetenti. L-utent tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE ma għandux ikollu dritt għar-rifużjoni tal-ħlasijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 9(4), la totali u lanqas parzjali.

The competent body shall without delay inform all other competent bodies and the Commission of that prohibition.

Il-korp kompetenti għandu mingħajr dewmien jgħarraf lill-korpi kompetenti l-oħra u lill-Kummissjoni b’dik il-projbizzjoni.

6. The competent body which has awarded the EU Ecolabel to the product shall not disclose, or use for any purpose unconnected with the award for use of the EU Ecolabel, information to which it has gained access in the course of assessing the compliance by a user of the EU Ecolabel with the rules on use of the EU Ecolabel set out in Article 9.

6. Il-korp kompetenti li jkun ta l-Ekotikketta tal-UE lill-prodott ma għandux jiżvela, jew juża għall-ebda fini mhux konnessa mal-għoti għall-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, informazzjoni li jkun kiseb aċċess għaliha waqt il-valutazzjoni tal-konformità ta’ utent tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE mar-regoli dwar l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 9.

It shall take all reasonable steps to secure the protection of the documents provided to it against falsification and misappropriation.

Huwa għandu jieħu l-passi raġonevoli kollha sabiex jiżgura li d-dokumenti pprovduti lilu jitħarsu kontra l-falsifikazzjoni u l-miżapproprjazzjoni.

Article 11

Artikolu 11

Ecolabelling schemes in the Member States

Skemi ta' ekotikkettar fl-Istati Membri

1. Where EU Ecolabel criteria for a given product group have been published, other nationally or regionally officially recognised EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabelling schemes which do not cover that product group at the time of publication may be extended to that product group only where the criteria developed under those schemes are at least as strict as the EU Ecolabel criteria.

1. Fejn il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għal grupp ta’ prodotti partikolari ġew ippubblikati, skemi oħra ta' ekotikkettar EN ISO 14024 tat-tip I li ġew rikonoxxuti uffiċjalment fuq livell nazzjonali jew reġjonali u li, fi żmien il-pubblikazzjoni, ma jkoprux dak il-grupp ta’ prodotti jistgħu jiġu estiżi għal dak il-grupp ta’ prodotti biss fejn il-kriterji żviluppati taħt dawk l-iskemi ikunu mill-inqas ugwalment stretti daqs il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

2. In order to harmonise the criteria of European ecolabelling schemes (EN ISO 14024 type I), EU Ecolabel criteria shall also take into account existing criteria developed in officially recognised ecolabelling schemes in the Member States.

2. Sabiex ikunu armonizzati l-kriterji ta' skemi ta' ekotikkettar Ewropej (EN ISO 14024 tat-tip I), il-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandhom jieħdu kont ukoll tal-kriterji eżistenti żviluppati fi skemi ta’ ekotikettar uffiċjalment rikonoxxuti fl-Istati Membri.

Article 12

Artikolu 12

Promotion of the EU Ecolabel

Promozzjoni tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE

1. Member States and the Commission shall, in cooperation with the EUEB, agree on a specific action plan to promote the use of the EU Ecolabel by:

1. L-Istati Membri u l-Kummissjoni, f’kooperazzjoni mal-EUEB, għandhom jaqblu dwar pjan ta’ azzjoni speċifiku biex jippromwovu l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE:

(a) awareness-raising actions and information and public education campaigns for consumers, producers, manufacturers, wholesalers, service providers, public purchasers, traders, retailers and the general public,

(a) b’azzjonijiet li jqajmu kuxjenza pubblika u b’kampanji ta’ informazzjoni u ta’ edukazzjoni pubblika għall-konsumaturi, għall-produtturi, għall-manifatturi, għall-bejjiegħa bl-ingrossa, għall-fornituri ta’ servizzi, għax-xerrejja pubbliċi, għall-kummerċjanti, għall-bejjiegħa bl-imnut, u għall-pubbliku ġenerali,

(b) encouraging the uptake of the scheme, especially for SMEs,

(b) billi jinkoraġġixxu l-użu tal-iskema, speċjalment għall-SMEs,

thus supporting the development of the scheme.

biex b’hekk isostnu l-iżvilupp tal-iskema.

2. Promotion of the EU Ecolabel may be undertaken via the EU Ecolabel website providing basic information and promotional materials on the EU Ecolabel, and information on where to purchase EU Ecolabel products, in all Community languages.

2. Il-promozzjoni tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE tista’ titwettaq permezz tal-websajt tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE li tipprovdi informazzjoni bażika u materjal promozzjonali dwar l-Ekotikketta tal-UE, u informazzjoni dwar fejn jistgħu jinxtraw prodotti bl-Ekotikketta tal-UE, fil-lingwi kollha tal-Komunità.

3. Member States shall encourage the use of the "Manual for authorities awarding public contracts", as specified in Annex I, Part A, point 5. For this purpose, Member States shall consider, for example, the setting of targets for the purchasing of products meeting the criteria specified in that Manual.

3. L-Istati Membri għandhom jinkoraġġixxu l-użu ta’ Manwal għall-awtoritajiet li jagħtu kuntratti pubbliċi, kif speċifikat fl-Anness I, Parti A, punt 5. Għal dan il-għan, l-Istati Membri għandhom jikkunsidraw, pereżempju, it-twaqqif ta’ miri għax-xiri ta’ prodotti li stabbiliti il-kriterji speċifikati f’dak il-Manwal.

Article 13

Artikolu 13

Exchange of information and experiences

Skambju ta' informazzjoni u esperjenzi

1. In order to foster consistent implementation of this Regulation, competent bodies shall regularly exchange information and experiences, in particular on the application of Articles 9 and 10.

1. Sabiex titrawwem implimentazzjoni konsistenti ta' dan ir-Regolament, il-korpi kompetenti għandhom regolarment jiskambjaw informazzjoni u esperjenzi, b'mod partikolari dwar l-applikazzjoni tal-Artikoli 9 u 10.

2. The Commission shall set up a working group of competent bodies for this purpose. The working group shall meet at least twice a year. Travel expenses shall be borne by the Commission. The working group shall elect its chair and adopt its rules of procedure.

2. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tistabbilixxi grupp ta' ħidma ta' korpi kompetenti għal dan il-għan. Il-grupp ta' ħidma għandu jiltaqa' mill-inqas darbtejn fis-sena. L-ispejjeż tal-ivjaġġar għandhom jitħallsu mill-Kummissjoni. Il-grupp ta' ħidma għandu jeleġġi l-president tiegħu u jadotta r-regoli ta' proċedura tiegħu.

Article 14

Artikolu 14

Report

Rapport

By 19 February 2015, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the implementation of the EU Ecolabel scheme. The report shall also identify elements for a possible review of the scheme.

Sa 19 ta’ Frar 2015, il-Kummissjoni għandha tressaq quddiem il-Parlament Ewropew u l-Kunsill, rapport dwar l-implimentazzjoni tal-iskema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE. Ir-rapport għandu jidentifika wkoll l-elementi għal reviżjoni possibbli tal-iskema.

Article 15

Artikolu 15

Amendment of Annexes

Emendament tal-Annessi

The Commission may amend the Annexes, including modifying the maximum fees provided for in Annex III taking into account the need for fees to cover the costs of running the scheme.

Il-Kummissjoni tista’ temenda l-Annessi, inkluż li timmodifika l-ħlasijiet massimi previsiti fl-Anness III, b'kont meħud tal-ħtieġa ta’ ħlasijiet biex tkopri l-ispejjeż biex titħaddem l-iskema.

Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 16(2).

Dawk il-miżuri, mfassla biex jemendaw l-elementi mhux essenzjali ta’ dan ir-Regolament, għandhom jiġu adottati skont il-proċedura regolatorja bi skrutinju li tissemma fl-Artikolu 16(2).

Article 16

Artikolu 16

Committee procedure

Proċedura ta' Kumitat

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.

1. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tkun assistia minn Kumitat.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

2. Fejn issir referenza għal dan il-paragrafu, għandhom japplikaw l-Artikoli 5a(1) sa (4) u l-Artikolu 7 tad-Deċiżjoni 1999/468/KE, b'kont meħud tad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Artikolu 8 tagħha.

Article 17

Artikolu 17

Penalties

Pieni

Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The Member States shall notify those provisions to the Commission without delay and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them.

L-Istati Membri għandhom jistabbilixxu r-regoli dwar il-pieni applikabbli għall-ksur tad-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament u għandhom jieħdu l-miżuri kollha meħtieġa sabiex ikunu żguri li jiġu implimentati. Il-pieni previsti għandhom ikunu effettivi, proporzjonati u dissważivi. L-Istati Membri għandhom jinnotifikaw dawk id-dispożizzjonijiet lill-Kummissjoni mingħajr dewmien u għandhom jinnotifikawha mingħajr dewmien bi kwalunkwe emenda sussegwenti li tolqothom.

Article 18

Artikolu 18

Repeal

Tħassir

Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 is hereby repealed.

Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1980/2000 huwa b'dan imħassar.

Article 19

Artikolu 19

Transitional provisions

Dispożizzjonijiet transitorji

Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 shall continue to apply to contracts concluded under Article 9 thereof until the date of expiry specified in those contracts, except for its provisions concerning fees.

Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1980/2000 għandu jkompli japplika għall-kuntratti magħmulin taħt l-Artikolu 9 tiegħu sad-data ta’ skadenza speċifikata f’dawk il-kuntratti, ħlief għad-dispożizzjonijiet dwar ħlasijiet.

Article 9(4) of and Annex III to this Regulation shall apply to such contracts.

L-Artikolu 9(4) u l-Annes III ta' dan ir-Regolament għandhom japplikaw għal dawn il-kuntratti.

Article 20

Artikolu 20

Entry into force

Dħul fis-seħħ

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Dan ir-Regolament għandu jidħol fis-seħħ fl-għoxrin jum wara l-pubblikazzjoni tiegħu fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Dan ir-Regolament għandu jorbot fl-intier tiegħu u japplika direttament fl-Istati Membri kollha.

Done at Strasbourg, 25 November 2009.

Magħmul fi Strasburgu, is- 25 ta’ Novembru 2009

For the European Parliament

Għall-Parlament Ewropew

The President

Il-President

J. Buzek

J. Buzek

For the Council

Għall-Kunsill

The President

Il-President

Å. Torstensson

Å. Torstensson

[1] OJ C 120, 28.5.2009, p. 56.

[1] ĠU C 120, 28.5.2009, p. 56.

[2] OJ C 218, 11.9.2009, p. 50.

[2] ĠU C 218, 11.9.2009, p. 50.

[3] Opinion of the European Parliament of 2 April 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 26 October 2009.

[3] Opinjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew tat- 2 ta' April 2009 (għadha mhijiex pubblikata fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali) u Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill tas- 26 ta' Ottubru 2009.

[4] OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 1.

[4] ĠU L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 1.

[5] OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, p. 10.

[5] ĠU L 285, 31.10.2009, p. 10

[6] OJ L 189, 20.7.2007, p. 1.

[6] ĠU L 189, 20.7.2007, p. 1.

[7] OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

[7] ĠU L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

[8] OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 67.

[8] ĠU L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 67 (Ħarġa Speċjali bil-Malti, Kap 13, Vol 27, p. 69).

[9] OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 1.

[9] ĠU L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 1 (Ħarġa Speċjali bil-Malti, Kap 13, Vol 27, p. 3).

[10] OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.

[10] ĠU L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.

[11] OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1.

[11] ĠU L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1.

[12] OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

[12] ĠU L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

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ANNEX I

ANNESS I

PROCEDURE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND REVISION OF EU ECOLABEL CRITERIA

PROĊEDURA GĦALL-IŻVILUPP U GĦAR-REVIŻJONI TAL-KRITERJI TAL-EKOTIKKETTA TAL-UE

A. Standard procedure

A. Proċedura standard

The following documents must be drawn up:

Għandhom jitħejjew id-dokumenti li ġejjin:

1. Preliminary report

1. Rapport preliminari

The preliminary report must contain the following elements:

Ir-rapport preliminari għandu jinkludi l-elementi li ġejjin:

- Quantitative indication of the potential environmental benefits related to the product group, including consideration of the benefits from other similar European and national or regional EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabelling schemes,

- Indikazzjoni kwantitattiva tal-benefiċċji ambjentali potenzjali relatati mal-grupp ta’ prodotti, inkluża l-konsiderazzjoni tal-benefiċċji minn gruppi ta’ prodotti Ewropej u nazzjonali jew reġjonali simili bl-iskemi tal-ekotikkettar EN ISO 14024 tat-tip I;

- Reasoning for choice and scope of product group,

- Ir-raġunament għall-għażla u l-ambitu tal-grupp ta’ prodotti;

- Consideration of any possible trade issues,

- Il-konsiderazzjoni ta’ kwalunkwe kwistjoni kummerċjali possibbli;

- Analysis of other environmental labels' criteria,

- L-analiżi ta’ kriterji ta’ tikketti ambjentali oħrajn;

- Current laws and ongoing legislative initiatives related to the product group sector,

- Il-liġijiet attwali u l-inizjattivi leġislattivi li għaddejjin relatati mas-settur tal-grupp ta’ prodotti;

- Analysis of the possibilities of substitution of hazardous substances by safer substances, as such or via the use of alternative materials or designs, wherever technically feasible, in particular with regard to substances of very high concern as referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006,

- L-analiżi tal-possibiltajiet ta' sostituzzjoni ta' sustanzi perikolużi u ta' ħsara b'sustanzi iktar sikuri bħala tali jew permezz ta’ użu ta’ materjali u tfassil alternattivi, kull fejn ikun teknikament fattibbli, b'mod partikolari fir-rigward ta' sustanzi ta' tħassib qawwi ħafna kif imsemmi fl-Artikolu 57 tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1907/2006;

- Intra-community market data for the sector, including volumes and turnover,

- Id-data tas-suq intra-Komunitarju għas-settur, inklużi l-volumi u l-fatturat;

- Current and future potential for market penetration of the products bearing the EU Ecolabel,

- Il-potenzjal attwali u futur għall-penetrazzjoni tas-swieq tal-prodotti li jkollhom l-Ekotikketta tal-UE;

- Extent and overall relevance of the environmental impacts associated with the product group, based on new or existing life cycle assessment studies. Other scientific evidence may also be used. Critical and controversial issues shall be reported in detail and evaluated,

- Il-firxa u r-rilevanza ġenerali tal-impatti ambjentali assoċjati mal-grupp ta’ prodotti, fuq il-bażi ta’ studji ta’ valutazzjoni taċ-ċiklu ta’ ħajja ġodda jew eżistenti. Tista’ tintuża anki evidenza xjentifika oħra. Il-kwistjonijiet kritiċi u kontroversjali għandhom jiġu rrapportati fid-dettall u evalwati.

- References of data and information collected and used for issuing the report.

- Ir-referenzi tad-data u tal-informazzjoni miġbura u li ntużaw sabiex jinħareġ ir-rapport.

The preliminary report shall be made available on the Commission's dedicated EU Ecolabel website for comment and reference during the development of the criteria.

Ir-rapport preliminari għandu jkun disponibbli fuq is-sit web tal-Kummissjoni ddedikat għall-Ekotikketta tal-UE għal finijiet ta’ kummenti u ta’ referenza matul l-iżvilupp tal-kriterji.

Where criteria are to be developed for food and feed product groups, the preliminary report must, with reference to the study undertaken according to Article 6(5), demonstrate the following:

Fejn il-kriterji se jkunu żviluppati għall-gruppi ta’ prodotti tal-ikel u tal-għalf, ir-rapport preliminari għandu, b’referenza għall-istudju mwettaq skont l-Artikolu 6 (5), juri li:

- there is a real added environmental value in developing EU Ecolabel criteria for the chosen product,

- hemm valur miżjud ambjentali reali fl-iżvilupp tal-kriterji għal Ekotikketta tal-UE għall-prodott magħżul;

- the EU Ecolabel has considered the whole life cycle of the product, and

- l-Ekotikketta tal-UE ħadet kont taċ-ċiklu kollu tal-ħajja tal-prodott;

- the use of the EU Ecolabel on the chosen product will not cause confusion when compared with other food labels.

- l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE fuq il-prodott magħżul mhux se joħloq konfużjoni meta din titqabbel ma' tikketti oħra tal-ikel.

2. Proposal for draft criteria and associated technical report

2. Proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji u r-rapport tekniku assoċjat

Following the publication of the preliminary report, a proposal for draft criteria and a technical report in support of the proposal shall be established.

Wara l-pubblikazzjoni tar-rapport preliminari, għandhom jiġu stabbiliti proposta għal abbozz ta’ kriterji u rapport tekniku b’sostenn għall-proposta.

The draft criteria shall comply with the following requirements:

L-abbozz tal-kriterji għandu jkun konformi mar-rekwiżiti li ġejjin:

- they shall be based on the best products available on the Community market in terms of environmental performance throughout the life cycle, and they shall correspond indicatively to the best 10-20 % of the products available on the Community market in terms of environmental performance at the moment of their adoption,

- għandu jkun ibbażat fuq l-aqwa prodotti disponibbli fis-suq Komunitarju f'termini ta' prestazzjoni ambjentali matul iċ-ċiklu tal-ħajja sħiħ, u għandu jikkorrispondi, b'mod indikattiv għall-aqwa 10-20 % prodotti disponibbli fis-suq Komunitarju f'termini ta' prestazzjoni ambjentali;

- in order to allow for the necessary flexibility the exact percentage shall be defined on a case-by-case basis and in each case with the aim of promoting the most environmentally friendly products and ensuring that consumers are provided with sufficient choice,

- sabiex tippermetti għall-flessibbiltà meħtieġa, il-perċentwali preċiża għandha tkun definita fuq il-bażi tal-każ individwali u f’kull każ bil-għan li tippromwovi l-prodotti li huma l-aktar favur l-ambjent u tiżgura li l-konsumaturi jkunu pprovduti b'għażla suffiċjenti;

- they shall take into consideration the net environmental balance between the environmental benefits and burdens, including health and safety aspects; where appropriate, social and ethical aspects shall be considered, e.g. by making reference to related international conventions and agreements such as relevant ILO standards and codes of conduct,

- għandu jieħu kont tal-bilanċ ambjentali nett bejn il-benefiċċji u l-piżijiet ambjentali, inklużi l-aspetti tas-saħħa u s-sikurezza; fejn meħtieġ, l-aspetti soċjali u etiċi għandhom ikunu kkunsidrati, pereżempju billi ssir referenza għall-konvenzjonijiet u l-ftehimiet internazzjonali relevanti bħall-istandards tal-ILO u l-kodiċi ta' kondotta;

- they shall be based on the most significant environmental impacts of the product, be expressed as far as reasonably possible via technical key environmental performance indicators of the product, and be suitable for assessment according to the rules of this Regulation,

- għandu jkun ibbażat fuq l-aktar impatti ambjentali sinifikanti tal-prodott, sakemm ikun raġonevolment possibbli, ikun espress permezz ta’ indikaturi tekniċi ewlenin tal-prestazzjoni ambjentali tal-prodott, u jkun adattat għal valutazzjoni skont ir-regoli ta’ dan ir-Regolament;

- they shall be based on sound data and information which are representative as far as possible of the entire Community market,

- għandu jkun ibbażat fuq data u informazzjoni soda, li jkunu kemm jista’ jkun rappreżentattivi tas-suq Komunitarju kollu;

- they shall be based on life cycle data and quantitative environmental impacts, where applicable in compliance with the European Reference Life Cycle Data Systems (ELCD),

- għandu jkun ibbażat fuq data taċ-ċiklu tal-ħajja u fuq impatti ambjentali kwantitativi, fejn ikun applikabbli, skont is-Sistemi Ewropej ta’ Referenza tad-Data taċ-Ċikli ta’ Ħajja (ELCD);

- they shall take into consideration the views of all interested parties involved in the consultation process,

- għandu jieħu kont tal-fehmiet tal-partijiet interessati kollha involvuti fil-proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni;

- they shall guarantee harmonisation with existing legislation applicable to the product group when considering definitions, test methods and technical and administrative documentation,

- għandu jiggarantixxi armonizzazzjoni mal-leġislazzjoni eżistenti li tapplika għall-grupp ta’ prodotti meta jitqiesu d-definizzjonijiet, il-metodi tat-testijiet u d-dokumentazzjoni teknika u amministrattiva;

- they shall take into account relevant Community policies and work done on other related product groups.

- għandu jieħu kont tal-linji politiċi Komunitarji rilevanti u l-ħidma li saret fuq gruppi ta’ prodotti relatati oħrajn.

The proposal for draft criteria shall be written in a way that is easily accessible to those wishing to use them. It shall provide justification for each criterion and explain the environmental benefits related to each criterion. It shall highlight the criteria corresponding to the key environmental characteristics.

Il-proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji għandha tinkiteb b’mod li tkun faċilment aċċessibbli għal dawk li jixtiequ jużawhom. Għandu jipprovdi ġustifikazzjoni għal kull kriterju u jispjega l-benefiċċji ambjentali relatati ma’ kull kriterju. Għandu jenfasizza l-kriterji li jikkorrispondu mal-karatteristiċi ambjentali prinċipali.

The technical report shall include at least the following elements:

Ir-rapport tekniku għandu jinkludi mill-inqas l-elementi li ġejjin:

- the scientific explanations of each requirement and criterion,

- l-ispjegazzjonijiet xjentifiċi għal kull rekwiżit u kriterju;

- a quantitative indication of the overall environmental performance that the criteria are expected to achieve in their totality, when compared to that of the average products on the market,

- indikazzjoni kwantitativa tal-prestazzjoni ambjentali globali li l-kriterji mistennija jiksbu fit-totalità tagħhom, meta pparagunati ma’ dak tal-prodotti medji fis-suq;

- an estimation of the expected environmental/economic/social impacts of the criteria as a whole,

- stima tal-impatti ambjentali/ekonomiċi/soċjali mistennija tal-kriterji kollha;

- the relevant test methods for assessment of the different criteria,

- il-metodi rilevanti tat-testijiet għall-valutazzjoni tal-kriterji differenti;

- an estimation of testing costs,

- stima tal-ispejjeż tal-ittestjar;

- for each criterion, information about all tests, reports and other documentation that shall be produced by users on request from a competent body in accordance with Article 10(3).

- għal kull kriterju, informazzjoni dwar it-testijiet, ir-rapporti u d-dokumentazzjoni l-oħra kollha li għandhom ikunu ppreżentati mill-utenti meta, skont l-Artikolu 10(3), jintalbu jagħmlu dan minn korp kompetenti.

The proposal for draft criteria and the technical report shall be made available for public consultation on the Commission's dedicated EU Ecolabel website for comment. The party leading the product group development shall distribute the proposal and the report to all interested parties.

Il-proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji u r-rapport tekniku għandhom ikunu disponibbli għal konsultazzjoni pubblika fuq is-sit web tal-Kummissjoni ddedikat għall-Ekotikketta tal-UE għal kummenti. Il-parti li tmexxi l-iżvilupp tal-grupp ta’ prodotti għandha tqassam il-proposta u r-rapport lill-partijiet interessati kollha.

At least two open working group meetings shall be held on the draft criteria, to which all interested parties, such as competent bodies, industry (including SMEs), trade unions, retailers, importers, environmental and consumer organisations, shall be invited. The Commission shall also participate in those meetings.

Għandhom isiru, dwar l-abbozz tal-kriterji, mill-inqas żewġ laqgħat miftuħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma, li għalihom għandhom ikunu mistiedna l-partijiet interessati kollha, bħall-korpi kompetenti, l-industrija (inklużi l-SMEs), it-trejdjunjins, il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut, l-importaturi, l-organizzazzjonijiet ambjentali u tal-konsumaturi. Il-Kummissjoni wkoll għandha tipparteċipa f’dawk il-laqgħat.

The proposal for draft criteria and the technical report shall be made available at least one month before the first working group meeting. Any subsequent proposal for draft criteria shall be made available at least one month before subsequent meetings. The reasoning behind any changes to the criteria in subsequent drafts shall be fully explained and documented with reference to discussions in the open working groups meetings and comments received in public consultation.

Il-proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji u r-rapport tekniku għandhom ikunu disponibbli mill-inqas xahar qabel l-ewwel laqgħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma. Kwalunkwe proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji sussegwenti għandha tkun disponibbli mill-inqas xahar qabel il-laqgħat sussegwenti. Ir-raġunament wara kwalunkwe bidla fil-kriterji fl-abbozzi sussegwenti għandu jiġi spjegat u ddokumentat b’mod sħiħ b’referenza għad-diskussjonijiet fil-laqgħat miftuħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma u għall-kummenti riċevuti fil-konsultazzjoni pubblika.

Responses shall be given to all comments received during the criteria development process, indicating whether they are accepted or rejected and why.

Għandhom jingħataw reazzjonijiet għall-kummenti kollha riċevuti waqt il-proċess tal-iżvilupp tal-kriterji, fejn jiġi indikat jekk ġewx aċċettati jew miċħuda u r-raġuni għal dan.

3. Final report and draft criteria

3. Rapport finali u l-abbozz tal-kriterji

The final report shall contain the following elements:

Ir-rapport finali għandu jinkludi l-elementi li ġejjin:

Clear responses to all comments and proposals, indicating whether they are accepted or rejected and why. European Union and non-European Union interested parties shall be treated on an equal footing.

Reazzjonijiet ċari għall-kummenti u għall-proposti kollha, fejn jiġi indikat jekk ġewx aċċettati jew miċħuda u r-raġuni għal dan. Il-partijiet interessati fl-Unjoni Ewropea u dawk li mhumiex fl-Unjoni Ewropea għandhom jiġu ttrattati bl-istess mod.

It shall also include the following elements:

Għandu jinkludi wkoll l-elementi li ġejjin:

- a one-page summary of the level of support for the draft criteria by the competent bodies,

- sommarju ta’ paġna waħda tal-livell ta’ sostenn għall-abbozz tal-kriterji mill-korpi kompetenti;

- a summary list of all documents circulated in the course of the criteria development work, together with an indication of the date of circulation of each document and to whom each document has been circulated, and a copy of the documents in question,

- lista sommarju tad-dokumenti kollha li ġew iċċirkolati matul il-ħidma ta’ żvilupp tal-kriterji, flimkien ma’ indikazzjoni tad-data taċ-ċirkolazzjoni ta’ kull dokument u tal-persuni li lilhom kull dokument ġie ċċirkolat, kif ukoll kopja tad-dokumenti in kwistjoni;

- a list of the interested parties involved in the work or which have been consulted or have expressed an opinion, together with their contact information,

- lista tal-partijiet interessati involuti fil-ħidma jew li ġew ikkonsultati jew li esprimew opinjoni, flimkien mal-informazzjoni ta’ kuntatt tagħhom;

- an executive summary,

- sommarju eżekuttiv;

- three key environmental characteristics for the product group that may be displayed in the optional label with text box described in Annex II,

- tliet karatteristiċi ambjentali ewlenin tal-grupp ta' prodotti li jistgħu jintwerew fit-tikketta fakultattiva b’kaxxa bil-kitba deskritta fl-Anness II;

- a proposal for a marketing and communication strategy for the product group.

- proposta għal strateġija ta’ kummerċjalizzazzjoni u ta’ komunikazzjoni għall-grupp ta’ prodotti.

Any observations received on the final report shall be taken into consideration, and information on the follow-up to the comments shall be provided on request.

Għandha titqies kwalunkwe osservazzjoni riċevuta dwar ir-rapport finali, u l-informazzjoni dwar l-azzjoni ta’ segwitu għall-kummenti għandha tiġi pprovduta meta tintalab.

4. Manual for potential users of the EU Ecolabel and competent bodies

4. Manwal għall-utenti potenzjali tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u għall-korpi kompetenti

A manual shall be established in order to assist potential users of the EU Ecolabel and competent bodies in assessing the compliance of products with the criteria.

Għandu jkun stabbilit manwal għall-utenti sabiex jgħin lill-utenti potenzjali tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u lilil-korpi kompetenti sabiex jivvalutaw il-konformità tal-prodotti mal-kriterji.

5. Manual for authorities awarding public contracts

5. Manwal għall-awtoritajiet li jagħtu l-kuntratti pubbliċi

A manual providing guidance for the use of EU Ecolabel criteria to authorities awarding public contracts shall be established.

Għandu jkun stabbilit manwal li jipprovdi gwida għall-użu tal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE lill-awtoritajiet li jagħtu l-kuntratti pubbliċi.

The Commission will provide templates translated into all official Community languages for the manual for potential users and competent bodies and for the manual for authorities awarding public contracts.

Nota:Il-Kummissjoni se tipprovdi mudelli (it-templates) tradotti fil-lingwi uffiċjali kollha tal-Komunità għall-manwal għall-utenti potenzjali u għall-korpi kompetenti u għall-manwal għall-utenti għall-awtoritajiet li jagħtu l-kuntratti pubbliċi.

B. Shortened procedure where criteria have been developed by other EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabelling schemes

B. Proċedura mqassra fejn il-kriterji ġew żviluppati minn skemi oħra ta' ekotikkettar EN ISO 14024 tat-tip I

A single report shall be submitted to the Commission. This report shall include a section demonstrating that the technical and consultation requirements set out in Part A have been met, along with a proposal for draft criteria, a manual for potential users of the EU Ecolabel and competent bodies, and a manual for authorities awarding public contracts.

Għandu jitressaq rapport wieħed quddiem il-Kummissjoni. Dan ir-rapport għandu jinkludi taqsima li turi li ġew sodisfatti r-rekwiżiti tekniċi u konsultattivi stabbiliti fil-Parti A ta' dan l-Anness, flimkien ma’ proposta ta’ abbozz tal-kriterji, manwal għall-utenti potenzjali tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u għall-korpi kompetenti, flimkien ma’ manwal għall-awtoritajiet li jagħtu l-kuntratti pubbliċi.

If the Commission is satisfied that the report and criteria meet the requirements set out in Part A, the report and the proposal for draft criteria shall be made available for public consultation on the Commission's dedicated EU Ecolabel website for a period of two months for comment.

Jekk il-Kummissjoni tkun sodisfatta li r-rapport u l-kriterji jissodisfaw ir-rewkiżiti stabbiliti fil-Parti A, ir-rapport u proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji għandhom ikunu disponibbli għal konsultazzjoni pubblika fuq is-sit web tal-Kummissjoni ddedikat għall-Ekotikketta tal-UE għal perijodu ta’ xahrejn għal kummenti.

Responses shall be given to all comments received during the public consultation period, indicating whether each comment is accepted or rejected and why.

Għandhom jingħataw reazzjonijiet għall-kummenti kollha riċevuti matul il-perijodu ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika, fejn jiġi indikat jekk kull kumment ġiex aċċettat jew miċħud u r-raġuni għal dan.

Subject to any changes made during the public consultation period, and if no Member State requests an open working group meeting, the Commission may adopt the criteria pursuant to Article 8.

Suġġett għal kwalunkwe bidla li ssir matul il-perijodu ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika, u jekk l-ebda Stat Membru ma jitlob laqgħa miftuħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma, il-Kummissjoni tista’ tadotta l-kriterji skont l-Artikolu 8.

Upon request from any Member State, an open working group meeting shall be held on the draft criteria, in which all interested parties, such as competent bodies, industry (including SMEs), trade unions, retailers, importers, environmental and consumer organisations, shall participate. The Commission shall also participate in that meeting.

Fuq talba minn kwalunkwe Stat Membru, għandha tinżamm laqgħa miftuħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma dwar l-abbozz tal-kriterji, fejn għandhom jipparteċipaw il-partijiet interessati kollha, bħall-korpi kompetenti, l-industrija (inklużi l-SMEs), it-trejdjunjins, il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut, l-importaturi, l-organizzazzjonijiet ambjentali u tal-konsumaturi. Il-Kummissjoni wkoll għandha tipparteċipa f’dik il-laqgħa.

Subject to any changes made during the public consultation period or during the working group meeting, the Commission may adopt the criteria pursuant to Article 8.

Suġġett għal kwalunkwe bidliet li jkunu saru matul il-perijodu ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika jew matul il-laqgħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma, il-Kummissjoni tista’ tadotta l-kriterjif' konformita' mal-Artikolu 8.

C. Shortened procedure for non-substantial revision of the criteria

C. Proċedura mqassra għal reviżjoni mhux sostanzjali tal-kriterji

The Commission shall produce a report containing the following:

Il-Kummissjoni għandha tipproduċi rapport li jkun jinkludi l-elementi li ġejjin:

- a justification explaining why there is no need for a full revision of the criteria and why a simple updating of the criteria and their stringency levels is sufficient,

- ġustifikazzjoni li tispjega għalfejn m’hemm ebda ħtieġa għal reviżjoni sħiħa tal-kriterji u għalfejn sempliċi aġġornament tal-kriterji u tal-livelli ta’ strettezza tagħhom hi biżżejjed;

- a technical section updating the previous market data used for the setting of the criteria,

- taqsima teknika li taġġorna d-data preċedenti tas-suq użati għall-istipular tal-kriterji;

- a proposal for draft revised criteria,

- proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji;

- a quantitative indication of the overall environmental performance that the revised criteria are expected to achieve in their totality, when compared to that of the average products on the market,

- indikazzjoni kwantitativa tal-prestazzjoni ambjentali globali li l-kriterji mistennija jiksbu fit-totalità tagħhom, meta pparagunati ma’ dak tal-prodotti medji fis-suq;

- a revised manual for potential users of the EU Ecolabel and competent bodies, and

- manwal rivedut għall-utenti potenzjali tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE u għall-entitjaiet kompetenti; kif ukoll

- a revised manual for authorities awarding public contracts.

- manwal rivedut għall-awtoritajiet li jagħtu l-kuntratti pubbliċi.

The report and the proposal for draft criteria shall be made available for public consultation on the Commission's dedicated EU Ecolabel website for a period of two months for comment.

Ir-rapport tekniku u l-proposta għal abbozz tal-kriterji għandhom ikunu disponibbli għal konsultazzjoni pubblika fuq is-sit web tal-Kummissjoni ddedikat għall-Ekotikketta tal-UE għal kummenti.

Responses shall be given to all comments received during the public consultation period, indicating whether each comment is accepted or rejected and why.

Għandhom jingħataw reazzjonijiet għall-kummenti kollha riċevuti matul il-perijodu ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika, fejn jiġi indikat jekk kull kumment ġiex aċċettat jew miċħud u r-raġuni għal dan.

Subject to any changes made during the public consultation period, and if no Member State requests an open working group meeting, the Commission may adopt the criteria pursuant to Article 8.

Suġġett għal kwalunkwe bidla magħmula waqt il-perjodu ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika, u jekk l-ebda Stat Membru ma jitlob laqgħa miftuħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma, il-Kummissjoni tista’ tadotta l-kriterji skont it-termini tal-Artikolu 8.

Upon request from any Member State, an open working group meeting shall be held on the draft revised criteria, in which all interested parties, such as competent bodies, industry (including SMEs), trade unions, retailers, importers, environmental and consumer organisations, shall participate. The Commission shall also participate in that meeting.

Fuq talba minn kwalunkwe Stat Membru, għandha tinżamm laqgħa miftuħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma dwar l-abbozz tal-kriterji, fejn għandhom jipparteċipaw il-partijiet interessati kollha, bħall-korpi kompetenti, l-industrija (inklużi l-SMEs), it-trejdjunjins, il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut, l-importaturi, l-organizzazzjonijiet ambjentali u tal-konsumaturi. Il-Kummissjoni wkoll għandha tipparteċipa f’dik il-laqgħa.

Subject to any changes made during the public consultation period or during the working group meeting, the Commission may adopt the criteria pursuant to Article 8.

Suġġett għal kwalunkwe bidla li tkun saret matul il-perijodu ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika jew matul il-laqgħa tal-grupp ta’ ħidma, il-Kummissjoni tista’ tadotta l-kriterji b'mod konformi mal-Artikolu 8.

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ANNEX II

ANNESS II

FORM OF THE EU ECOLABEL

FORMA TAL-EKOTIKKETTA TAL-UE

The EU Ecolabel shall take the following form:

L-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jkollha l-forma li ġejja:

Label:

Tikketta:

+++++ TIFF +++++

+++++ TIFF +++++

Optional label with text box (the possibility for the operator to use this text box and the text used shall be that specified in the relevant product group criteria):

Tikketta fakultattiva b’kaxxa bil-kitba (Il-possibbiltà għall-operatur li juża din il-kaxxa bil-kitba fiha u t-test użat għandu jkun dak speċifikat fil-kriterji rilevanti tal-grupp ta' prodotti):

Better for the environement…

+++++ TIFF +++++

• [text specified in with criteria]

In-numru ta’ reġistrazzjoni tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandu jidher ukoll fuq il-prodott. Għandu jkollu l-forma li ġejja:

• [text specified in with criteria]

+++++ TIFF +++++

• [text specified in with criteria]

Fejn xxxx tirreferi għall-pajjiż ta’ reġistrazzjoni, yyy tirreferi għall-grupp ta' prodotti u zzzzz tirreferi għan-numru mogħti mill-korp kompetenti.

…better for you.

It-tikketta, t-test fakultattiv b’kaxxa bil-kitba u n-numru ta' reġistrazzjoni għandhom jiġu stampati jew b’żewġ kuluri (Pantone 347 aħdar għall-weraq u z-zokk tal-fjura, is-simbolu "Є", l-indirizz web u l-akronimu tal-UE u l-Pantone 279 għall-elementi l-oħra, it-test u l-burdura), jew bl-iswed fuq l-abjad, jew bl-abjad fuq l-iswed.

+++++ TIFF +++++

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The EU Ecolabel registration number shall also appear on the product. It shall take the following form:

ANNESS III

+++++ TIFF +++++

ĦLASIJIET

Where xxxx refers to the country of registration, yyy refers to the product group and zzzzz refers to the number given by the competent body.

1. Ħlas tal-applikazzjoni

The label, the optional label with text box and the registration number shall be printed either in two colours (Pantone 347 green for the leaves and stem of the flower, the "Є" symbol, the web address and the EU acronym and Pantone 279 for all other elements, text and borders), or in black on white, or in white on black.

Il-korp kompetenti li tkun saritlu applikazzjoni għandu jitlob ħlas skont l-ispejjeż amministrattivi reali tal-ipproċessar tal-applikazzjoni. Dan il-ħlas ma għandhux ikun anqas minn EUR 200 u mhux ogħla minn massimu ta' EUR 1 200.

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Fil-każ ta' impriżi żgħar u ta' daqs medju [1] u operaturi minn pajjiżi li qed jiżviluppaw, il-ħlas massimu ta' applikazzjoni ta' hawn fuq m'għandux ikun ogħla minn EUR 600.

ANNEX III

Fil-każ ta' mikro-impriżi l-ħlas massimu għandu jkun ta' EUR 350 [1].

FEES

Il-ħlas tal-applikazzjoni għandu jitnaqqas b’20 % għal applikanti li jkunu reġistrati taħt l-Iskema ta' mmaniġjar u verifika tal-ambjent (EMAS) u/jew iċċertifikati taħt l-ISO 14001. Dan it-tnaqqis huwa suġġett għall-kondizzjoni li l-applikant espliċitament jikkometti ruħu fil-politika ambjentali tiegħu, li jiżgura li l-prodotti tiegħu ttikkettati ekoloġikament jikkonformaw bis-sħiħ mal-kriterji tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE fil-perijodu kollu tal-validita tal-kuntratt u li dan l-irbit jiġi inkorporat kif jixraq fl-għanijiet ddettaljati ambjentali. L-applikanti ċċertifikati b'ISO 14001 għandhom ta' kull sena jagħtu xhieda tal-implimentazzjoni ta' din ir-rabta. Dawk l-applikanti b'reġistrazzjoni tal-EMAS għandhom ta' kull sena jibagħtu l-kopja vverifikata tad-dikjarazzjoni ambjentali tagħhom.

1. Application fee

2. Ħlas annwali

The competent body to which an application is made shall charge a fee according to the real administrative costs of processing the application. This fee shall be no lower than EUR 200 and no higher than EUR 1200.

Il-korp kompetenti jista’ jitlob lil kull applicant li ġie mogħti Ekotikketta tal-UE li jħallas tariffa annwali sa EUR 1500 għall-użu tat-tikketta.

In the case of small and medium enterprises [1] and operators in developing countries, the maximum application fee shall be no higher than EUR 600.

Fil-każ ta' impriżi żgħar u ta' daqs medju u operaturi minn pajjiżi li qed jiżviluppaw, il-ħlas massimu annwali m'għandux ikun ogħla minn EUR 750.

In the case of micro-enterprises [1] the maximum application fee shall be EUR 350.

Fil-każ ta' mikro-impriżi l-ħlas massimu annwali għandu jkun ta' EUR 350.

The application fee shall be reduced by 20 % for applicants registered under the Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) and/or certified under the standard ISO 14001. This reduction is subject to the condition that the applicant explicitly commits, in its environmental policy, to ensure full compliance of its ecolabelled products with the EU Ecolabel criteria throughout the period of validity of the contract and that this commitment is appropriately incorporated into the detailed environmental objectives. ISO 14001 certified applicants shall demonstrate annually the implementation of this commitment. EMAS registered applicants shall forward a copy of their annually verified environmental statement.

Il-perijodu kopert mill-ħlas annwali għandu jibda mid-data tal-għotja tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE lill-applikant.

2. Annual fee

[1] SMEs u mikro-impriżi kif definiti mir-Rakkommandazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni 2003/361/KE tas- 6 ta' Mejju 2003 (ĠU L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36).

The competent body may require each applicant who has been awarded an EU Ecolabel to pay an annual fee of up to EUR 1500 for the use of the label.

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In the case of small and medium enterprises and operators in developing countries, the maximum annual fee shall be no higher than EUR 750.

ANNESS IV

In the case of micro-enterprises the maximum annual fee shall be EUR 350.

KUNTRATT STANDARD LI JKOPRI T-TERMINI TAL-UŻU TAL-EKOTIKKETTA TAL-UE

The period covered by the annual fee will begin with the date of the award of the EU Ecolabel to the applicant.

PREAMBOLU

[1] SMEs and micro-enterprises as defined by Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 (OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36).

Il-korp kompetenti … (titolu sħiħ) minn hawn ‘il quddiem "il-korp kompetenti",

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reġistrat fi … (indirizz sħiħ), li għall-iskop tal-firma ta' dan il-kuntratt hu rappreżentat minn … (isem tal-persuna responsabbli), … (isem sħiħ tad-detentur), fil-kapaċità tiegħu bħala produttur, manifattur, importatur, fornitur ta’ servizz, bejjiegħ bl-ingrossa jew bl-imnut li l-indirizz uffiċjali reġistrat tiegħu hu … (indirizz sħiħ), minn hawn ‘il quddiem "detentur", rappreżentat minn … (isem tal-persuna responsabbli), li ftiehem dan li ġej fir-rigward tal-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, skont ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 66/2010 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill ta’ 25 ta’ Novembru 2009 dwar Skema tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE [1], minn hawn 'il quddiem "ir-Regolament tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE":

ANNEX IV

1. UŻU TAL-EKOTIKETTA TAL-UE

STANDARD CONTRACT COVERING THE TERMS OF USE OF THE EU ECOLABEL

1.1. Il-korp kompetenti jagħti lid-detentur id-dritt li juża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE għall-prodotti tiegħu kif deskritt fl-ispeċifikazzjonijiet annessi tal-prodotti, li jikkonformaw mal-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti fis-seħħ għal dan il-perijodu …, adottat mill-Kummissjoni tal-Komunitajiet Ewropej fi … (data), ippubblikata fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Komunitajiet Ewropej ta’ … (referenza sħiħa), u annessa ma’ dan il-kuntratt.

PREAMBLE

1.2. L-Ekotikketta tal-UE għandha tintuża biss fil-forom stipulati fl-Anness II tar-Regolament tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

The competent body … (full title) hereinafter called "the competent body",

1.3. Id-detentur għandu jiżgura li l-prodott li se jingħata t-tikketta jikkonforma tul iż-żmien ta’ dan il-kuntratt mat-termini kollha użati u mad-dispożizzjonijiet stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 9 tar-Regolament tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, f’kull żmien. Ma għandha tkun meħtieġa l-ebda applikazzjoni ġdida għal modifiki fil-karatteristiċi tal-prodotti li ma jaffetwawx il-konformità mal-kriterji. Id-detentur għandu, madankollu, jinforma lill-korp kompetenti dwar dawn il-modifiki b’ittra reġistrata. Il-korp kompetenti jista’ jwettaq verifiki adegwati.

registered at … (full address), which for the purposes of the signature of this contract is represented by … (name of person responsible), … (full name of holder), in his capacity as producer, manufacturer, importer, service provider, wholesaler or retailer whose official registered address is … (full address), hereafter called "the holder", represented by … (name of person responsible), have agreed the following with regard to the use of the EU Ecolabel, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel [1], hereinafter "the EU Ecolabel Regulation":

1.4. Il-kuntratt jista' jkun estiż għal firxa usa’ ta’ prodotti minn dawk previsti fil-bidu, suġġett għal qbil mill-korp kompetenti, u suġġett għall-kondizzjoni li dawn jagħmlu parti mill-istess grupp ta’ prodotti u li wkoll jikkonformaw mal-kriterji tiegħu. Il-korp kompetenti jista’ jivverifika li qed jintlaħqu dawn il-kondizzjonijiet. L-Anness li jagħti d-dettalji tal-ispeċifikazzjonijiet tal-prodott għandhom ikunu modifikati skont il-każ.

1. USE OF THE EU ECOLABEL

1.5. Id-detentur m’għandux jirriklama jew jagħmel xi stqarrija jew juża kwalunkwe tikketta jew logo b’mod falz jew li jiżgwida jew li jirriżulta f’konfużjoni jew iqiegħed f’dubju l-integrità tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

1.1. The competent body grants the holder the right to use the EU Ecolabel for his products as described in the annexed product specifications, which conform to the relevant product group criteria in force for the period …, adopted by the Commission of the European Communities on … (date), published in the Official Journal of the European Union of … (full reference), and annexed to this contract.

1.6. Id-detentur għandu jkun responsabbli skont dan il-kuntratt għall-mod li bih tkun użata l-ekotikketta fir-rigward tal-prodott tiegħu, speċjalment fil-kuntest tar-riklamar.

1.2. The EU Ecolabel shall be used only in the forms stipulated in Annex II to the EU Ecolabel Regulation.

1.7. Il-korp kompetenti, inklużi l-aġenti tiegħu awtorizzati għal dan il-għan, jistgħu jagħmlu kull investigazzjoni meħtieġa biex jimmonitorjaw il-konformità kontinwa min-naħa tal-utent mal-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti u mat-termini tal-użu u mad-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-kuntratt konformement mar-regoli stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 10 tar-Regolament tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

1.3. The holder shall ensure that the product to be labelled complies throughout the duration of this contract with all the terms of use and provisions set out in Article 9 of the EU Ecolabel Regulation, at all times. No new application will be required for modifications in the characteristics of the products which do not affect compliance with the criteria. The holder shall however inform the competent body of such modifications by registered letter. The competent body may carry out appropriate verifications.

2. SOSPENSJONI U RTIRAR

1.4. The contract may be extended to a wider range of products than those initially foreseen, subject to agreement by the competent body, and subject to the condition that they belong to the same product group and that they also comply with its criteria. The competent body may verify that these conditions are met. The Annex detailing the product specifications shall be modified accordingly.

2.1. Fejn id-detentur isir konxju li hu naqas milli jilħaq it-termini tal-użu jew id-dispożizzjonijiet li hemm fl-Artikolu 1 ta’ dan il-kuntratt, id-detentur għandu jinnotifika lill-korp kompetenti u jevita li juża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE sakemm dawk it-termini tal-użu jew id-dispożizzjonijiet ikunu ġew issodisfati u l-korp kompetenti jkun innotifikat b’dan.

1.5. The holder shall not advertise or make any statement or use any label or logo in a way which is false or misleading or which results in confusion with, or calls into question the integrity of, the EU Ecolabel.

2.2. Fejn il-korp kompetenti jqis li d-detentur ikun kiser xi termini tal-użu jew dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-kuntratt, il-korp kompetenti għandu jkun intitolat li jissospendi jew jirtira l-awtorizzazzjoni tiegħu biex id-detentur juża l-Ekotikketta tal-UE, u li jieħu dawk il-miżuri li huma meħtieġa biex jevita li d-detentur jibqa’ jużaha aktar, inklużi dawk il-miżuri li huma pprovduti fl-Artikoli 10 u 17 tar-Regolament tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

1.6. The holder shall be responsible under this contract for the manner in which the EU Ecolabel is used in relation to his product, especially in the context of advertising.

3. LIMITAZZJONI TA’ RESPONSABBILTÀ U GARANZIJA

1.7. The competent body, including its agents authorised for such purpose, may undertake all necessary investigations to monitor the ongoing compliance by the holder with both the product group criteria and the terms of use and provisions of this contract in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 10 of the EU Ecolabel Regulation.

3.1. Id-detentur m’għandux jinkludi l-Ekotikketta tal-UE bħala parti minn xi garanzija fir-rigward tal-prodott imsemmi fl-Artikolu 1.1 ta’ dan il-kuntratt.

2. SUSPENSION AND WITHDRAWAL

3.2. Il-korp kompetenti, inkluż l-aġenti awtorizzati tiegħu, m’għandhomx ikunu miżmuma responsabbli għal kwalunkwe telf jew ħsara li ssir lid-detentur b’riżultat tal-għoti u/jew l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

2.1. In the event that the holder becomes aware that he is failing to meet the terms of use or provisions contained in Article 1 of this contract, the holder shall notify the competent body and refrain from using the EU Ecolabel until those terms for use or provisions have been fulfilled and the competent body has been notified thereof.

3.3. Il-korp kompetenti, inkluż l-aġenti awtorizzati tiegħu, m’għandhomx ikunu miżmuma responsabbli għal kwalunkwe telf jew ħsara li ssir lil terzi persuni b’riżultat tal-għoti u/jew l-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE, inkluż ir-reklamar.

2.2. Where the competent body considers that the holder has contravened any of the terms of use or provisions of this contract, the competent body shall be entitled to suspend or withdraw its authorisation to the holder to use the EU Ecolabel, and to take such measures as are necessary to prevent the holder from using it further, including such measures as are provided for in Articles 10 and 17 of the EU Ecolabel Regulation.

3.4. Id-detentur għandu jħallas kull telf, dannu u jneħħi kull responsabbiltà fil-konfront tal-korp kompetenti u tal-aġenti awtorizzati tiegħu, bħala riżultat ta’ ksur ta’ dan il-kuntratt mid-detentur jew minħabba li l-korp kompetenti serraħ fuq informazzjoni jew dokumentazzjoni pprovduta mid-detentur, inklużi kull talba li tista' ssir minn terzi persuni.

3. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

4. ĦLASIJIET

3.1. The holder shall not include the EU Ecolabel as part of any guarantee or warranty in relation to the product referred to in Article 1.1 of this contract.

4.1. L-ammont tal-ħlas ta’ applikazzjoni u l-ħlas annwali għandu jkun definit skont l-Anness III tar-Regolament tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE.

3.2. The competent body, including its authorised agents, shall not be liable for any loss or damage sustained by the holder arising out of the award and/or use of the EU Ecolabel.

4.2. L-użu tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE huwa suġġett għall-kondizzjoni li jitħallsu l-ħlasijiet kollha relevanti fil-ħin.

3.3. The competent body, including its authorised agents, shall not be liable for any loss or damage sustained by a third party and arising out of the award and/or use, including advertising, of the EU Ecolabel.

5. IL-PERIJODU TAL-KUNTRATT U L-LIĠI APPLIKABBLI

3.4. The holder shall indemnify and keep indemnified the competent body and its authorised agents against any loss, damage or liability sustained by the competent body, or its authorised agents, as a result of a breach of this contract by the holder or as a result of reliance by the competent body on information or documentation provided by the holder, including any claims by a third party.

5.1. Minbarra kif previst fl-Artikolu 5.2,5.3 u 5.4, dan il-kuntratt għandu jkun validu mid-data li fiha jkun iffirmat sa (…) jew sa meta jiskadu l-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti, liema data tiġi l-ewwel.

4. FEES

5.2. Fejn id-detentur ikun kiser xi termini tal-użu jew dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-kuntratt skont it-tifsira tal-Artikolu 2.2k, il-korp kompetenti għandu jkun intitolat li jittratta dan bħala ksur tal-kuntratt u għalhekk il-korp kompetenti jkollu d-dritt, minbarra d-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Artikolu 2.2, li jtemm il-kuntratt, b'ittra reġistrata lid-detentur, qabel id-data mogħtija fl-Artikolu 5.1, fi żmien (perijodu ta' żmien li għandu jkun determinat mill-korp kompetenti).

4.1. The amount of application fee and annual fee shall be defined in accordance with Annex III of the EU Ecolabel Regulation.

5.3. Id-detentur jista’ jtemm il-kuntratt billi jibgħat avviż lill-korp kompetenti permezz ta’ ittra reġistrata tliet xhur qabel.

4.2. Use of the EU Ecolabel is conditional upon all relevant fees having been paid in due time.

5.4. Jekk il-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti kif stipulati fl-Artikolu 1.1 jkunu estiżi mingħajr emendi għal kwalunkwe perijodu, u jekk ma jkunx ingħata ebda avviż ta’ tmiem mill-korp kompetenti tliet xhur qabel l-iskadenza tal-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti u ta’ dan il-kuntratt, il-korp kompetenti għandu jinforma lid-detentur, għall-inqas tliet xhur qabel li l-kuntratt se jkun awtomatikament imġedded sakemm il-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti jibqgħu fis-seħħ.

5. CONTRACT DURATION AND APPLICABLE LAW

5.5. Wara t-tmiem ta’ dan il-kuntratt id-detentur ma jistax juża’ l-Ekotikketta tal-UE fir-rigward tal-prodott speċifikat fl-Artikolu 1.1 u fl-Anness għal dan il-kuntratt, kemm għal skopijiet ta’ tikkettar jew ta’ reklamar. L-Ekotikketta tal-UE tista’, madankollu, għal perijodu ta’ sitt xhur wara t-tmiem, tkun imqiegħda fuq l-istokk li jkollu d-detentur jew oħrajn u mmanifatturat qabel it-tmiem. Din l-aħħar dispożizzjoni m’għandhiex tapplika jekk il-kuntratt ikun ġie terminat għal raġunijiet stipulati fl-Artikolu 5.2.

5.1. Except as provided for in Article 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4, this contract shall run from the date on which it is signed until (…) or until expiry of the product group criteria, whichever is sooner.

5.6. Kwalunkwe kwistjoni bejn il-korp kompetenti u d-detentur jew kwalunkwe talba minn xi parti kontra l-oħra li tkun ibbażata fuq dan il-kuntratt u li ma tkunx ġiet solvuta minn ftehima amikevoli bejn il-partijiet kontraenti, għandha tkun suġġetta għal-liġi applikabbli determinata konformement mar-Regolament (KE) Nru 593/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tas- 17 ta' Ġunju 2008 dwar il-liġi applikabbli għall-obbligi kuntrattwali (Ruma I) [2] u r-Regolament (KE) Nru 864/2007 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tal- 11 ta' Lulju 2007 dwar il-liġi applikabbli għall-obbligi li mhumiex kuntrattwali (Ruma II [3]).

5.2. Where the holder has contravened any of the terms of use or provisions of this contract within the meaning of Article 2.2, the competent body shall be entitled to treat this as a breach of contract entitling the competent body, in addition to the provisions in Article 2.2, to terminate the contract, by registered letter to the holder, at an earlier date than that set out in Article 5.1, within (a time period to be determined by the competent body).

L-Annessi li ġejjin għandhom jiffurmaw parti minn dan il-kuntratt:

5.3. The holder may terminate the contract by giving the competent body three months' notice by registered letter.

- kopja tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 66/2010 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill ta’ 25 ta’ Novembru 2009 dwar l-Ekotikketta tal-UE, fil-lingwi Komunitarji relevanti),

5.4. If the product group criteria as stated in Article 1.1 are extended without amendments for any period, and if no written notice of termination from the competent body has been given at least three months before the expiry of the product group criteria and of this contract, the competent body shall inform the holder at least three months in advance that the contract shall be automatically renewed for as long as the product group criteria remain in force.

- l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet tal-prodott, li għallinqas għandhom jinkludi dettalji tal-ismijiet, u/jew tan-numri ta’ referenza interna tal-manifattur, is-siti tal-manifattura, u n-numru jew numri relatati tar-reġistrazzjoni tal-Ekotikketta tal-UE,

5.5. After the termination of this contract the holder may not use the EU Ecolabel in relation to the product specified in Article 1.1 and in the Annex to this contract, either as labelling or for advertising purposes. The EU Ecolabel may nevertheless, for a period of six months after the termination, be displayed on stock held by the holder or others and manufactured before the termination. This latter provision shall not apply if the contract has been terminated for the reasons set out in Article 5.2.

- kopja tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni … (dwar il-kriterji tal-grupp ta’ prodotti).

5.6. Any dispute between the competent body and the holder or any claim by one party against the other based on this contract which has not been settled by amicable agreement between the contracting parties, shall be subject to the applicable law determined in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 593/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I) [2] and Regulation (EC) No 864/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations (Rome II [3]).

Magħmul fi … data …

The following Annexes shall form part of this contract:

…

- a copy of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel, in (the relevant Community language(s)),

(Korp kompetenti)

- product specifications, which shall at least include details of the names, and/or the manufacturer's internal reference numbers, the manufacturing sites, and the related EU Ecolabel registration number or numbers,

Persuna maħtura …

- a copy of Commission Decision … (on product group criteria),

…

Done at … date …

(Firma li tkun torbot legalment)

…

…

(Competent body)

(Detentur)

Designated person …

Persuna maħtura …

…

…

(Legally binding signature)

(Firma li tkun torbot legalment)

…

[1] ĠU L 27, 31.1.2010, p. 1.

(Holder)

[2] ĠU L 177, 4.7.2008, p. 6.

Designated person …

[3] ĠU L 199, 31.7.2007, p. 40.

…

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(Legally binding signature)

ANNESS V

[1] OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1.

REKWIŻITI RELATTIVI GĦAL KORPI KOMPETENTI

[2] OJ L 177, 4.7.2008, p. 6.

1. Korp kompetenti għandu jkun indipendenti mill-organizzazzjoni jew il-prodott li qed jevalwa.

[3] OJ L 199, 31.7.2007, p. 40.

Korp li jkun jappartjeni lil xi assoċjazzjoni kummerċjali jew federazzjoni professjonali li tkun tirrappreżenta intrapriżi involuti fid-disinn, manifattura, provvista, muntaġġ, użu jew manutenzjoni ta’ prodotti li huwa jivvaluta, jista', bil-kondizzjoni li l-indipendenza tiegħu u n-nuqqas ta' kull konflitt ta' interess jiġu murija, jiġi nominat bħala korp kompetenti.

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2. Il-korp kompetenti, l-ogħla livell tal-ġestjoni tiegħu jew il-persunal responsabbli biex iwettaq il-kompiti ta' valutazzjoni ta' konformità m'għandhomx ikunu d-disinjaturi, il-manifatturi, il-fornituri, l-installaturi, ix-xerrejja, is-sidien, l-utenti jew dawk li jagħmlu l-manutenzjoni tal-prodotti li huma jevalwaw, u l-anqas għandhom ikunu r-rappreżentanti awtorizzati ta' xi waħda minn dawk il-partijiet. Dan ma għandux jipprekludi l-użu tal-prodotti valutati li huma meħtieġa għall-operazzjonijiet tal-korp kompetenti jew l-użu ta’ dawn il-prodotti għal finijiet personali.

ANNEX V

Il-korp kompetenti, l-ogħla livell tal-ġestjoni tiegħu jew il-persunal responsabbli biex iwettaq il-kompiti ta’ valutazzjoni ta' konformità m’għandhomx ikunu direttament involuti fid-disinn, manifattura jew kostruzzjoni, kummerċjalizzazzjoni, installazzjoni, użu jew manutenzjoni ta’ dawk il-prodotti, l-anqas m’għandhom jirrappreżentaw lill-partijiet li jwettqu dawk l-attivitajiet. M'għandux ikollhom sehem fl-ebda attività li tista’ tkun f’kunflitt mal-indipendenza tal-ġudizzju u l-integrità tagħhom marbuta mal-attivitajiet ta’ evalwazzjoni tal-konformità li għalihom ikunu nominati. Dan għandu japplika partikolarment għas-servizzi ta' konsulenza.

REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COMPETENT BODIES

Il-korpi kompetenti għandhom jassiguraw li l-attivitajiet tas-sussidjarji jew subappaltaturi tagħhom ma jippreġudikawx il-kunfidenzjalità, l-oġġettività jew l-imparzjalità tal-attivitajiet tagħhom ta' valutazzjoni ta' konformità.

1. A competent body shall be independent of the organisation or the product it assesses.

3. Il-korpi kompetenti u l-persunal tagħhom għandhom iwettqu l-attivitajiet ta' valutazzjoni ta' konformità bl-ogħla livell ta’ integrità professjonali u kompetenza teknika meħtieġa fil-qasam speċifiku li jkun u għandhom ikunu ħielsa minn kull pressjoni u inċitament, partikolarment finanzjarji, li jistgħu jinfluwenzaw il-ġudizzju tagħhom jew ir-riżultati tal-attivitajiet ta' valutazzjoni ta' konformità tagħhom, speċjalment fir-rigward ta' persuni jew gruppi ta’ persuni b’interess fir-riżultati ta’ dawk l-attivitajiet.

A body belonging to a business association or professional federation representing undertakings involved in the design, manufacturing, provision, assembly, use or maintenance of products which it assesses, may, on condition that its independence and the absence of any conflict of interest are demonstrated, be designated as a competent body.

4. Il-korp kompetenti għandu jkollu l-kapacità li jwettaq il-kompiti kollha tal-istima tal-konformità assenjati lilu b'dan ir-Regolament, sewwa jekk dawn il-kompiti jitwettqu mill-korp innifsu u sewwa jekk f'ismu jew fuq ir-responsabbiltà tiegħu.

2. A competent body, its top-level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be the designer, manufacturer, supplier, installer, purchaser, owner, user or maintainer of the products which they assess, nor the authorised representative of any of those parties. This shall not preclude the use of assessed products that are necessary for the operations of the competent body or the use of such products for personal purposes.

F'kull żmien u għal kull proċedura ta' valutazzjoni ta' konformità u għal kull tip jew kategorija ta' prodotti li fir-rigward tagħhom ikun nominat, il-korp kompetenti għandu jkollu għad-dispożizzjoni tiegħu l-elementi meħtieġa li ġejjin:

A competent body, its top-level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be directly involved in the design, manufacture or construction, the marketing, installation, use or maintenance of those products, or represent the parties engaged in those activities. They shall not engage in any activity that may conflict with their independence of judgment or integrity in relation to conformity assessment activities for which they are designated. This shall in particular apply to consultancy services.

(a) it-tagħrif tekniku u l-esperjenza suffiċjenti u xierqa biex jagħmel ix-xogħlijiet tal-evalwazzjoni tal-konformità;

Competent bodies shall ensure that the activities of their subsidiaries or subcontractors do not affect the confidentiality, objectivity or impartiality of their conformity assessment activities.

(b) deskrizzjonijiet ta' proċeduri li konformement magħhom titwettaq l-evalwazzjoni tal-konformità, waqt li jiġu żgurati t-trasparenza u l-kapaċità ta' riproduzzjoni ta' dawk il-proċeduri. Hu għandu jkollu stabbiliti l-linji politiċi u l-proċeduri xierqa li jiddistingwu bejn ħidmiet li jwettaq bħala korp nominat u attivitajiet oħra;

3. Competent bodies and their personnel shall carry out the conformity assessment activities with the highest degree of professional integrity and the requisite technical competence in the specific field and shall be free from all pressures and inducements, particularly financial, which might influence their judgment or the results of their conformity assessment activities, especially as regards persons or groups of persons with an interest in the results of those activities.

(c) proċeduri għat-twettiq tal-attivitajiet li jqisu d-daqs tal-impriża, is-settur li fih jopera, l-istruttura tiegħu, il-grad ta' kumplessità tat-teknoloġija tal-prodott konċernat u n-natura ta’ massa jew ta’ serje tal-proċess ta’ produzzjoni.

4. A competent body shall be capable of carrying out all the conformity assessment tasks assigned to it by this Regulation, whether those tasks are carried out by the competent body itself or on its behalf and under its responsibility.

Għandu jkollu l-mezzi neċessarji biex jagħmel ix-xogħlijiet tekniċi u amministrattivi konnessi mal-attivitajiet ta’ l-evalwazzjoni tal-konformità b’mod xieraq u għandu jkollu aċċess għat-tagħmir u l-faċilitajiet meħtieġa.

At all times and for each conformity assessment procedure and each kind or category of products in relation to which it has been designated, a competent body shall have at its disposal the necessary:

5. Il-persunal responsabbli biex iwettaq l-attivitajiet ta' valutazzjoni ta' konformità għandu jkollu dawn li ġejjin:

(a) technical knowledge and sufficient and appropriate experience to perform the conformity assessment tasks;

(a) tagħrif xieraq li jkopri l-attivitajiet kollha ta’ valutazzjoni tal-konformità li fir-rigward tagħhom il-korp kompetenti jkun nominat;

(b) descriptions of procedures in accordance with which conformity assessment is carried out, ensuring the transparency and the ability of reproduction of those procedures. It shall have appropriate policies and procedures in place that distinguish between tasks it carries out as a competent body and other activities;

(b) il-kapaċità meħtieġa biex jifformula ċ-ċertifikati, reġistrazzjonijiet u rapporti biex juru li l-valutazzjonijiet ikunu saru.

(c) procedures for the performance of activities which take due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of the product technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the production process.

6. Għandha tkun garantita l-imparzjalità tal-korp kompetenti, l-ogħla livell ta' ġestjoni tiegħu u tal-persunal ta' valutazzjoni tiegħu.

It shall have the means necessary to perform the technical and administrative tasks connected with the conformity assessment activities in an appropriate manner and shall have access to all necessary equipment or facilities.

Ir-rimunerazzjoni tal-ogħla livell ta’ ġestjoni u tal-persunal tal-korp kompetenti ma għandhiex tiddipendi min-numru ta’ valutazzjonijiet li jkunu saru jew mir-riżultati ta’ dawk il-valutazzjonijiet.

5. The personnel responsible for carrying out conformity assessment activities shall have the following:

7. Il-korpi kompetenti għandhom jipparteċipaw fi, jew jassiguraw li l-persunal tagħhom ta’ valutazzjoni jkun mgħarraf dwar, l-attivitajiet ta’ standardizzazzjoni rilevanti u l-attivitajiet tal-grupp ta’ ħidma tal-korpi kompetenti msemmija fl-Artikolu 13 ta' dan ir-Regolament u japplikaw bħala gwida ġenerali d-deċiżjonijiet amministrattivi u d-dokumenti prodotti bħala riżultat tax-xogħol ta’ dak il-grupp.

(a) sound knowledge covering all the conformity assessment activities in relation to which the competent body has been designated;

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(b) the ability to draw up certificates, records and reports demonstrating that assessments have been carried out.

6. The impartiality of the competent bodies, of their top level management and of the assessment personnel shall be guaranteed.

The remuneration of the top-level management and assessment personnel of a competent body shall not depend on the number of assessments carried out or on the results of those assessments.

7. Competent bodies shall participate in, or ensure that their assessment personnel are informed of, the relevant standardisation activities and the activities of the working group of competent bodies referred to in Article 13 of this Regulation and apply as general guidance the administrative decisions and documents produced as a result of the work of that group.

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