1.   The annual quality assessment referred to in Article 70a of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 shall assess the reliability of information in the geo-spatial application and the correctness of the information used for the reporting on the indicators referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115. In particular, the quality assessment shall assess the completeness and correctness of the information pre-filled in the geo-spatial application, the completeness and correctness of the guiding alerts provided to the beneficiaries during the application process and the traceability of all changes registered in the geo-spatial applications after its submission.

2.   The quality assessment shall comprise the following:

3.   The quality assessment provided for in paragraph 2, points (a), (c) and (d), shall be carried out by means of IT testing and reperformance of the application process on a representative sample of aid applications.

4.   For the verification under paragraph 2, point (b), the quality assessment shall be carried out by means of an analysis of imagery of the same calendar year and of at least the same quality as required for the quality assessment referred to in Article 70a of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 or, when needed, in situ visits. That verification shall be performed by the measurement of the area declared in respect of an intervention on the sample selected for the quality assessment of the area monitoring system referred to in Article 5 of this Regulation.

5.   Member States shall ensure that all area-based interventions managed by the integrated system that entail at least one monitorable eligibility condition are included in the samples referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 and are verified in the quality assessment exercise. An intervention that entails only non-monitorable eligibility conditions is not subject to the quality assessment exercise.

6.   In case the results of the quality assessment reveal deficiencies, the Member State shall propose adequate remedial actions.’

1.   The annual quality assessment referred to in Article 70a of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 shall assess the reliability of the implementation of the area monitoring system, provide diagnostic information on the sources of incorrect decisions at the level of interventions and monitorable eligibility conditions and in particular assess the correctness of the information provided for the reporting on the indicators referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115.

2.   The quality assessment shall be carried out by means of an analysis of imagery of the same calendar year and, where relevant, with at least the same quality as required for the quality assessment referred to in Article 70a of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 or, when needed, in situ visits. In situ visits can be carried out at any time during the year and shall, to the extent possible, cover all monitorable eligibility conditions relevant for a given beneficiary during the same visit. The imagery used by the Member States for the quality assessment shall be able to provide conclusive and reliable results in respect of the actual situation on the ground. Where Member States use geo-tagged photos for observation, tracking and assessment of agricultural activities as data with at least equivalent value to Copernicus Sentinels satellite data, Member States may carry out the quality assessment of the decisions based on geo-tagged photos by means of a non-automated analysis of the geo-tagged photos, provided they offer conclusive and reliable results.

3.   At the level of interventions, the quality assessment shall comprise the following:

4.   The reports due by 15 February 2025 and 15 February 2027 shall also comprise verification that all eligibility conditions of area-based interventions that are considered monitorable, were subject to area monitoring system in years 2024 and 2026, respectively. Remedial actions may be necessary following the assessment of the results of these reports.

5.   The quality assessment shall be carried out by checking the monitorable eligibility conditions of all the interventions applied for on a representative sample of parcels.

6.   For simplification purposes and given that the sample of the quality assessment of the area monitoring system provides an adequate level of assurance in respect of the fulfilment of eligibility conditions per intervention, Member States may decide to take the quality assessment referred in Articles 4 and 5 of this Regulation into account in respect of the obligation to set up a control system laid down in Article 72 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116.

7.   Member States shall ensure that all area-based interventions managed by the integrated system that entail at least one monitorable eligibility condition, are included in the sample of parcels and verified in the quality assessment exercise.

8.   In case the results of the quantifications referred to in paragraph 3, points (a) and (b), reveal deficiencies, Member States shall propose adequate remedial actions.

9.   Remedial actions for non-conclusively monitored eligibility conditions may include the performance of in situ visits. In cases where remedial actions are necessary following the results of the quality assessment for the calendar year concerned, additional details may have to be included in the quality assessment report of the following year as regards the deficiencies to be remedied.’