When making apparatus available on the market distributors shall act with due care in relation to the requirements of this Directive.

Before making apparatus available on the market distributors shall verify that the apparatus bears the CE marking, that it is accompanied by the required documents and by instructions and the information referred to in Article 18 in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users in the Member State in which the apparatus is to be made available on the market and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 7(5) and (6) and Article 9(3) respectively.

Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that apparatus is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Annex I, he shall not make the apparatus available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the apparatus presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities.

Distributors shall ensure that, while apparatus is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Annex I.

Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that apparatus which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall make sure that the corrective measures necessary to bring that apparatus into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate, are taken. Furthermore, where the apparatus presents a risk, distributors shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the apparatus available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.

Distributors shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form, necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the apparatus. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by apparatus which they have made available on the market.