1.The selection of sites for the attribution of the label shall be carried out by the European panel under the responsibility of the Commission.
2.The European panel shall evaluate the applications relating to the pre-selected sites and shall select a maximum of one site per Member State. If necessary, further information may be requested and visits to the sites may be organised.
3.The selection shall be based on the criteria and on the application form. The European panel shall also take duly into account the observations referred to in Article 10(5).
4.The European panel shall issue a report on the pre-selected sites and transmit it to the Commission at the latest by the end of the year of the selection procedure. That report shall include a recommendation for the attribution of the label and provide an accompanying explanation for its conclusions regarding those sites which are selected and those which are not. The Commission shall forward that report without delay to the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions for information.
5.Candidate sites which are not selected may submit new applications for pre-selection at national level in the following years.