CHAPTER VIII

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, REPORTS AND PENALTIES

Information exchange
Article 25
The Commission shall hold regular meetings with the competent authorities designated by the Member States, delegations of experts from blood establishments and other relevant parties to exchange information on the experience acquired with regard to the implementation of this Directive.

Reports
Article 26
1
Member States shall send to the Commission, commencing on 31 December 2003 and every three years thereafter, a report on the activities undertaken in relation to the provisions of this Directive, including an account of the measures taken in relation to inspection and control.
2
The Commission shall transmit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, the reports submitted by the Member States on the experience gained in implementing this Directive.
3
The Commission shall transmit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, commencing on 1 July 2004 and every three years thereafter, a report on the implementation of the requirements in this Directive, and in particular those relating to inspection and control.

Penalties
Article 27
Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. Member States shall notify those provisions to the Commission by the date specified in Article 32 at the latest and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendments affecting them.