1.An application for approval of amendments to the product specification submitted by an applicant as referred to in Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 of a protected designation of origin or geographical indication shall be drawn up in accordance with Annex IV to this Regulation.
2.For the purposes of determining whether an application for the approval of amendments to the product specification pursuant to Article 49(1) of Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 is admissible, the Commission shall verify that it has been sent the information required under Article 35(2) of that Regulation and a completed application as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
3.For the purposes of the application of Article 49(2), first sentence, of Regulation (EC) No 479/2008, Articles 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of this Regulation shall apply mutandis mutadis.
4.An amendment is considered to be minor if:
(a)it does not relate the essential characteristics of the product;
(b)it does not alter the link;
(c)it does not include a change in the name or any part of the name of the product;
(d)it does not affect the demarcated geographical area;
(e)it does not entail any further restrictions on the marketing of the product.
5.Where the application for approval of amendments to the product specification is submitted by an applicant other than the initial applicant, the commission shall communicate the application to the initial applicant.
6.Where the Commission decides to accept an amendment to the product specification that affects or comprises an amendment to the information recorded in the Register, it shall delete the original data from the Register and enter the new data with effect from the date on which the relevant decision takes effect.