1. In order to be recognised by a Member State, the producer organisation applying for such recognition shall be a legal entity or clearly defined part of a legal entity which:
(a)
fulfils the requirements laid down in points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 152(1);
(b)
has a minimum number of members and/or covers a minimum volume or value of marketable production, to be laid down by the Member State concerned, in the area where it operates;
(c)
provides sufficient evidence that it can carry out its activities properly, both over time and in terms of effectiveness, provision of human, material and technical support to its members, and as appropriate concentration of supply;
(d)
has statutes that are consistent with points (a), (b) and (c) of this paragraph.
2. Member States may decide that producer organisations which have been recognised before 1 January 2014 on the basis of national law and which fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1 of this Article are deemed to be recognised as producer organisations pursuant to Article 152.
3. Producer organisations which have been recognised before 1 January 2014 on the basis of national law and which do not fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1 may continue to exercise their activities under national law until 1 January 2015.
4. Member States shall:
(a)
decide whether to grant recognition to a producer organisation within four months of the lodging of an application, accompanied by all the relevant supporting evidence; this application shall be lodged with the Member State where the organisation has its headquarters;
(b)
carry out, at intervals to be determined by them, checks to verify that recognised producer organisations are complying with this Chapter;
(c)
in the event of non-compliance or irregularities in the application of the measures provided for in this Chapter, impose on those organisations and associations the applicable penalties they have laid down and, if necessary, decide whether recognition should be withdrawn;
(d)
inform the Commission by 31 March of each year, of every decision to grant, refuse or withdraw recognition taken during the previous calendar year.