The paying agency may suspend the support relating to certain expenditure where a non-compliance resulting in an administrative penalty is detected. The suspension shall be lifted by the paying agency as soon as the beneficiary proves to the satisfaction of the competent authority that the situation has been remedied. The maximum period of suspension shall not exceed three months. The F1relevant authority may also set shorter maximum periods depending on the type of operations and the effects of the non-compliance in question.

The paying agency may only suspend support where the non-compliance does not prejudice the achievement of the overall purpose of the operation concerned, and if it is expected that the beneficiary is able to remedy the situation during the maximum period defined.