Member States shall issue to fishing vessels flying their flag and complying with Articles 3 and 5, a certificate of compliance with the terms of this Directive, supplemented by a record of equipment and, where appropriate, exemption certificates. The certificate of compliance, record of equipment and exemption certificate shall have a format as laid down in Annex V. The certificates shall be issued by the administration of the flag State or by a recognised organisation acting on its behalf after an initial survey, carried out by the exclusive surveyors either of the administration of the flag State itself or of a recognised organisation or of the Member State authorised by the flag State to carry out surveys, in accordance with Regulation 6, paragraph (1)(a) of Chapter 1 of the Annex to the Torremolinos Protocol.

The periods of validity of the certificates referred to in paragraph 1 shall not exceed those established in Regulation 11 of Chapter 1 of the Annex to the Torremolinos Protocol. Renewal of the certificate of compliance, shall be issued after periodical surveys, in accordance with Regulation 6 of Chapter 1 of the Annex to the Torremolinos Protocol, have been carried out.