ARTICLE 7 - APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORISATION
TO USE THE “AB” MARK FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES
The use of the “AB” mark for certification purposes in the labelling of products of agricultural origin or foodstuffs
is subject to an application procedure. It is reserved for market operators who have declared their activities
in the country where they take place to the body charged with the task of checking notifications and have
placed their business under the supervision of an inspection body or public authority responsible for inspection
in the European Union in accordance with articles 27, 28, and 35 of Regulation (EC) 834/2007, or of a body or
public authority in charge of inspection in third countries in conformity with articles 32 and 33 of Regulation
(EC) 834/2007 and other connected regulations.
The application shall be made in the form of a document shown in Annex 4 of the present rules governing use
or the corresponding document issued by the operator’s inspection body
The market operator must submit the signed application to the body responsible for inspection of the agricultural
product or foodstuff on which the “AB” mark may be placed for certification proposes. The operator may
not make use of the mark without the written authorisation of the inspection authority or body. The inspection
authority or body is bound to verify at any time that the use of the “AB” mark with regard to the products designated
in the application complies with the present rules governing such use.
Any change in the manner in which the mark is used (new labelling or packaging, a change in the size of the
logo, for example) cannot become effective until a prior application for authorisation has been made to the
inspection authority or body and that application has been accepted.