Subject matter and scope

1.   This Regulation lays down rules for:
(a)
the performance of official controls and other official activities by the competent authorities of the Member States;
(b)
the financing of official controls;
(c)
the administrative assistance and cooperation between Member States in view of the correct application of the rules referred to in paragraph 2;
(d)
the performance of controls by the Commission in Member States and in third countries;
(e)
the adoption of conditions to be fulfilled with respect to animals and goods entering the Union from a third country;
(f)
the establishment of a computerised information system to manage information and data in relation to official controls.
2.   This Regulation shall apply to the official controls performed for the verification of compliance with the rules, whether established at Union level or by the Member States, to apply Union legislation, in the areas of:
(a)
food and food safety, integrity and wholesomeness at any stage of production, processing and distribution of food, including rules aimed at ensuring fair practices in trade and protecting consumer interests and information, and the manufacture and use of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food;
(b)
deliberate release into the environment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for the purpose of food and feed production;
(c)
feed and feed safety at any stage of production, processing and distribution of feed and the use of feed, including rules aimed at ensuring fair practices in trade and protecting consumer health, interests and information;
(d)
animal health requirements;
(e)
prevention and minimisation of risks to human and animal health arising from animal by-products and derived products;
(f)
welfare requirements for animals;
(g)
protective measures against pests of plants;
(h)
requirements for the placing on the market and use of plant protection products and the sustainable use of pesticides, with the exception of pesticides application equipment;
(i)
organic production and labelling of organic products;
(j)
use and labelling of protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed.
3.   This Regulation shall also apply to official controls performed for the verification of compliance with requirements laid down in the rules referred to in paragraph 2 where those requirements are applicable to animals and goods entering the Union or to be exported from the Union.
4.   This Regulation shall not apply to official controls for the verification of compliance with:
(a)
Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013; however, this Regulation shall apply to checks pursuant to Article 89 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, where those checks identify possible fraudulent or deceptive practices in respect of the marketing standards referred to in Articles 73 to 91 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013;
(b)
Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council
(
46
)
;
(c)
Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
(
47
)
.
5.   Articles 4, 5, 6, 8, Article 12(2) and (3), Articles 15, 18 to 27, 31 to 34, 37 to 42 and 78, Articles 86 to 108, point (b) of Article 112, Article 130 and Articles 131 to 141 shall also apply to other official activities performed by the competent authorities in accordance with this Regulation or with the rules referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article.