The certification procedure shall include the issue of certificates and the marking and sealing of the packages.

Certification shall be carried out before the product is offered for sale and, in any event, before processing.

It shall take place not later than 31 March of the year following the year of harvesting. F1The appropriate authority may set an earlier date.

Marking shall be carried out in accordance with Annex III, under official surveillance and after sealing, on the unit of packaging in which the product is to be marketed.

The certification procedure shall take place at the farm or at certification centres.

If, after certification, the packaging of the hops is changed, with or without further processing, the hops shall be subject to a new certification procedure.