1.The Commission shall develop a certification mechanism by means of implementing acts, with the involvement, if appropriate, of humanitarian partners, ensuring that sending organisations comply with the standards and procedures referred to in Article 9, and a differentiated certification mechanism for hosting organisations.
The Commission shall establish the procedure relating to the functioning of the certification mechanisms, building on existing relevant certification mechanisms and procedures, by means of implementing acts. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 26(2).
2.In designing the certification mechanism, the Commission shall seek synergies with the Commission's partnership instruments in the humanitarian field and existing humanitarian standards, with the aim of administrative simplification. The certification mechanism shall be inclusive and non-discriminatory as regards any type of eligible organisation.
3.Sending organisations shall be eligible for certification, if:
(a)they adhere to the standards and procedures referred to in Article 9;
(b)they are active in the field of humanitarian aid as defined in point (d) of Article 3; and
(c)they belong to any of the following categories:
non-governmental not-for-profit organisations formed in accordance with the law of a Member State and whose headquarters are located within the Union,
public law bodies of a civilian character governed by the law of a Member State,
non-governmental not-for-profit organisations established in the countries referred to in Article 23 under the conditions laid down in that Article and the agreements mentioned therein,
public law bodies of civilian character established in the countries referred to in Article 23 under the conditions laid down in that Article and the agreements mentioned therein,
the International Federation of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
4.Organisations in third countries shall be eligible as hosting organisations if:
(a)they adhere to the standards and procedures referred to in Article 9;
(b)they are active in the field of humanitarian aid as defined in point (d) of Article 3; and
(c)they belong to any of the following categories:
non-governmental not-for-profit organisations operating or established in a third country under the laws in force in that country,
public law bodies of a civilian character governed by the law of a third country,
international agencies and organisations.
5.Without prejudice to the requirements referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4, sending and hosting organisations may implement actions under the EU Aid Volunteers initiative in association with for-profit private organisations.
6.On the basis of a prior assessment of needs, sending organisations to be certified may benefit from technical assistance aimed at strengthening their capacity to participate in the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and to ensure compliance with the standards and procedures referred to in Article 9.
Hosting organisations to be certified may also benefit from the assistance referred to in the first subparagraph in the context of the actions referred to in Article 15.
7.The Commission shall publish the list of certified sending and hosting organisations in due time after certification.