CHAPTER IVIMPLEMENTATION
Article 10Methods of implementation
The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Programme in compliance with the management modes set out in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012.
Article 11Annual work programmes
1.
The Commission shall implement the Programme by establishing annual work programmes in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 and the criteria set out in Annex II to this Regulation.
2.
The Commission shall adopt, by means of implementing acts, annual work programmes which shall set out, in particular, actions to be undertaken, including the indicative allocation of financial resources. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 17(2).
3.
In implementing the Programme, the Commission, together with the Member States, shall ensure compliance with all relevant legal provisions regarding personal data protection and, where appropriate, the introduction of mechanisms to ensure the confidentiality and safety of such data.
Article 12Consistency and complementarity with other policies
The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency and complementarity between the Programme and other policies, instruments and actions of the Union, including those of the relevant Union agencies.
Article 13Monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of results
1.
The Commission shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, monitor the implementation of the actions under the Programme in the light of its objectives and indicators, including available information on the amount of climate-related expenditure. It shall report thereon to the committee referred to in Article 17(1), and shall keep the European Parliament and the Council informed.
2.
At the request of the Commission, Member States shall submit available information on the implementation and impact of the Programme. Such requests for information shall be proportionate and shall avoid imposing any unnecessary increase in the administrative burden on Member States.
3.
Half way through the duration of the Programme, but not later than 30 June 2017, the Commission shall draw up and present to the European Parliament and to the Council a mid-term evaluation report on the achievement of the objectives of the Programme, the state-of-play regarding the implementation of the thematic priorities set out in Annex I, and the efficiency of the use of resources and the Union added value of the Programme, in view of a decision on the renewal, modification or suspension of its thematic priorities. The mid-term evaluation report shall, additionally, address the scope for simplification, the internal and external coherence of the Programme, the continued relevance of all objectives, as well as the contribution of the actions to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 168 TFEU. It shall take into account evaluation results on the long-term impact of the previous programme.
In the mid-term evaluation report, the Commission shall, in particular, indicate the following:
(a)
if it is not possible to implement and achieve one or more of the thematic priorities listed in Annex I in line with the objectives of the Programme and within the remaining duration of the Programme;
(b)
whether the evaluation identified one or more specific, significant thematic priorities which are not listed in Annex I, but which have become necessary to achieve the general and specific objectives of the Programme;
(c)
the reasons for the conclusions referred to in points (a) and (b).
The long-term impact and the sustainability of effects of the Programme shall be evaluated with a view to feeding into a decision on the possible renewal, modification or suspension of a subsequent programme.
4.
The Commission shall make the results of actions undertaken pursuant to this Regulation publicly available and shall ensure that they are widely disseminated in order to contribute to improving health in the Union.
Article 14Follow-up to the mid-term evaluation report
1.
Where the mid-term evaluation report identifies that one or more thematic priorities cannot be implemented and achieved in line with the objectives of the Programme and within the duration of the Programme, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt, by 31 August 2017, delegated acts in accordance with Article 18 in order to remove the thematic priority or priorities concerned from Annex I. Only one delegated act removing one or more thematic priorities may enter into force pursuant to Article 18 throughout the duration of the Programme.
2.
Where the mid-term evaluation report identifies one or more specific, significant thematic priorities which are not listed in Annex I, but which have become necessary to achieve the general and specific objectives of the Programme, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt, by 31 August 2017, delegated acts in accordance with Article 18 in order to add the thematic priority or priorities concerned to Annex I. A thematic priority shall be achievable within the duration of the Programme. Only one delegated act adding one or more thematic priorities may enter into force pursuant to Article 18 throughout the duration of the Programme.
3.
Any such removal or addition of thematic priorities shall be in line with the general objectives and with the relevant specific objectives of the Programme.
Article 15National Focal Points
Member States shall designate National Focal Points which shall assist the Commission in the promotion of the Programme and, as appropriate, the dissemination of the results of the Programme and the available information on the impact of the Programme as referred to in Article 13(2).
Article 16Protection of the financial interests of the Union
1.
The Commission shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, when actions financed under this Regulation are implemented, the financial interests of the Union are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, by effective checks and, if irregularities are detected, by dissuasive administrative and financial penalties.
2.
The Commission, or its representatives, and the Court of Auditors shall have the power of audit, on the basis of documents and on-the-spot, over all grant beneficiaries, contractors and subcontractors who have received Union funds under this Regulation.
3.
4.
Without prejudice to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, cooperation agreements with third countries and with international organisations, contracts, grant agreements and grant decisions resulting from the implementation of this Regulation shall contain provisions expressly empowering the Commission, the Court of Auditors and OLAF to conduct such audits and investigations, in accordance with their respective competences.