Common use of Financial audits and controls Clause in Contracts

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission EC may, at any time during the implementation of the project Project and up to five years after the end of the projectRESPONSE Project (i.e. until September 30, 2030), arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission EC services themselves including OLAFthe European Anti‐Fraud office (XXXX), on the Beneficiary. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionEC. Such audits may cover financial, systemic systemic, and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreementGrant Agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries Beneficiary shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission EC all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission EC or any representative authorised authorized by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement Grant Agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete complete, and effective. 3. The beneficiaries Beneficiary shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - ‐ of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five Agreement until 5 years from after the end of the projectRESPONSE Project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission EC where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4Grant Agreement. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries Beneficiary shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's EC´s services and any external body(ies) authorised authorized by any of them it have on-the-spot on‐the‐spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's Beneficiary’s offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA EC or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission EC may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission EC shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionEC, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission EC may carry out on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission EC in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12irregularities.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries beneficiary shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries beneficiary shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries beneficiary shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concernedbeneficiary, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ ' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities8 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)9.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA REA/or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ Communities financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities9 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)10 .

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA Commission or the Commission JU may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA Commission including OLAF or the Commission JU's services themselves including OLAFthemselves. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA Commission or the CommissionJU. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA Commission or the Commission JU all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA Commission or the Commission JU or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA Commission or to the Commission JU where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the JU's and Commission's services including OLAF and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-on- the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the JU or its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA Commission or the Commission JU may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission JU shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and Commission or the CommissionJU, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities4 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF) Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)5.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA Agency or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA Agency or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA Agency or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA Agency or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA Agency or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA Agency or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REAAgency's, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA Agency or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA Agency or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA Agency or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA Agency and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA Agency or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities8 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF)9 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12.OLAF)10. 8 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p.2. 9 OJ L 136, 31.5.1999 10 OJ L 136, 31.5.1999

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA REA/or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ Communities financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities7 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Anti- Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)8 .

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA Commission or the Commission JU may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA Commission including OLAF or the Commission JU's services themselves including OLAFthemselves. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA Commission or the CommissionJU. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA Commission or the Commission JU all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA Commission or the Commission JU or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA Commission or to the Commission JU where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the JU's and Commission's services including OLAF and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-on- the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the JU or its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA Commission or the Commission JU may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission JU shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and Commission or the CommissionJU, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests of the Union against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities4 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF) Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)5.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission EC may, at any time during the implementation of the project Experiment and up to five years after the end of the projectEUHUBS4DATA project (foreseen for 31 August 2023), arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission EC services themselves including OLAFthe European Anti‐Fraud office (XXXX), on the Beneficiary. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionEC. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreementGrant Agreement, which includes the sub- grantees signed during the EUHubs4Data project execution. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries Beneficiary shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission EC all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission EC or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the Sub-grant agreement Agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries Beneficiary shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - ‐ of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the projectContract until 2028. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission EC where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4Grant Agreement. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries Beneficiary shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's EC´s services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot on‐the‐spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's Beneficiary’s offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the projectExperiment. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA EC or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission EC may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission EC shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionEC, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission EC may carry out on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission EC in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12irregularities.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission Joint Undertaking may, at any time during the implementation of the project Project and up to five years after the end of the projectProject, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA Joint Undertaking itself or under the Commission services themselves including OLAFresponsibility of the respective national funding authorities/States having concluded an administrative arrangement with the Joint Undertaking, on its behalf. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionJoint Undertaking. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA Joint Undertaking or the Commission respective national funding authorities all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - – of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the projectProject. These shall be made available to the REA Joint Undertaking or to the Commission respective national funding authorities where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REAJoint Undertaking, the Commission's services respective national funding authorities and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the projectProject. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission Joint Undertaking may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission Joint Undertaking shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The Commission services including OLAF and the European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionJoint Undertaking, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and auditson-the-spot checks, without prejudice to its their own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ Union's financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities10 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)11.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission Fusion for Energy may, at any time during the implementation of the project action and up to five years after the end of the projectaction, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by Fusion for Energy and Commission services, including the REA or the Commission services themselves including European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionFusion for Energy. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries beneficiary shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission Fusion for Energy all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission Fusion for Energy or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3provisions. The beneficiaries beneficiary shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from after the end of the projectaction. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission Fusion for Energy where requested during any audit under the grant agreementaudit. 43. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries beneficiary shall ensure that the REA, the CommissionFusion for Energy's services staff and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the projectaction. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 54. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA Fusion for Energy or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concernedbeneficiary, which may make observations thereon in writing to Fusion for Energy within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid aforementioned deadline. 65. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission Fusion for Energy shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including including: (a) to initiate the issuing termination of the grant agreement according to Article II.30; (b) to issue a recovery orders order regarding all or part of the payments made by Fusion for Energy. 6. The Commission or its representatives and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionFusion for Energy, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks on-the-spot checks, inspections and audits, without prejudice to its their own rules. 87. In addition, the REA or the Commission European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out audits, investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections inspections, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/201312 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by 2185/9613 with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament Fusion for Energy and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by Union. 8. Third parties are subject to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by controls and audits mentioned above under the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12same conditions as the Beneficiary.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAFXXXX. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA REA/or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ Communities financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities9 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)10 .

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project grant agreement and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services departments themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – –including electronic copies - copies-, of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services departments and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of a recovery orders order regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-on- the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities16 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 16 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p.2. 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF)17 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)18.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission EC may, at any time during the implementation of the project Project and up to five years after the end of the projectREACH project (foreseen for 29 February 2024), arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission EC services themselves including OLAFthe European Anti‐Fraud office (XXXX) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA), on the Beneficiary. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionEC. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreementGrant Agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries Beneficiary shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission EC all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission EC or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement Grant Agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries Beneficiary shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - ‐ of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the projectContract until 2029. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission EC where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4Grant Agreement. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries Beneficiary shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's EC´s services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot on‐the‐spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's Beneficiary’s offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the projectProject. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA EC or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary Beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one one (1) month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission EC may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary Beneficiary concerned within two (2) months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionEC, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission EC may carry out on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission EC in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12irregularities.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission FCH JU may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA FCH JU services themselves or by the Commission services themselves including OLAFXXXX. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionFCH JU. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission FCH JU all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission FCH JU or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – - including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission FCH JU where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the CommissionFCH JU's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA FCH JU or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission FCH JU may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission FCH JU shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors and the Commission (including OLAF) shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionFCH JU, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its their own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities5 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF)6 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)7 .

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission EC may, at any time during the implementation of the project Project and up to five two years after the end final payment of the projectDAPSI project (foreseen for January 2023), arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission EC services themselves including OLAFthe European Anti‐Fraud office (XXXX) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA), on the beneficiaries. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the CommissionEC. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreementGrant Agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries beneficiary concerned shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission EC all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission EC or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement Grant Agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries beneficiary concerned shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - ‐ of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the projectContract until 2026. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission EC where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4Grant Agreement. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries beneficiary shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's EC´s services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot on‐the‐spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's ’s offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA EC or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission EC may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission EC shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the CommissionEC, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission EC may carry out on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot on‐the‐spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission EC in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12irregularities.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-on- the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10irregularities10 and 10 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p.2. Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA REA/or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of them, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the CommissionCommission 's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities7 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Anti- Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)8 .

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA Commission or the Commission JU may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA Commission including XXXX or the Commission JU's services themselves including OLAFthemselves. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA Commission or the CommissionJU. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA Commission or the Commission JU all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA Commission or the Commission JU or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA Commission or to the Commission JU where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the JU's and Commission's services including XXXX and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-on- the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the JU or its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA Commission or the Commission JU may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission JU shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and Commission or the CommissionJU, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests of the Union against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities4 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF) Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12.OLAF)5. 4 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p.2. 5 OJ L 136, 31.5.1999

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project grant agreement and up to five years after the end of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services departments themselves including OLAFXXXX. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – –including electronic copies - copies-, of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services departments and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-on the spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which who may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of a recovery orders order regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-on- the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities16 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 16 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p.2. 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 OLAF)17 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12OLAF)18.

Financial audits and controls. 1. The REA or the Commission may, at any time during the implementation of the project and up to five years after the end closing date of the project, arrange for financial audits to be carried out, by external auditors, or by the REA or the Commission services themselves including OLAF. The audit procedure shall be deemed to be initiated on the date of receipt of the relevant letter sent by the REA or the Commission. Such audits may cover financial, systemic and other aspects (such as accounting and management principles) relating to the proper execution of the grant agreement. They shall be carried out on a confidential basis. 2. The beneficiaries shall make available directly to the REA or the Commission all detailed information and data that may be requested by the REA or the Commission or any representative authorised by any of themit, with a view to verifying that the grant agreement is properly managed and performed in accordance with its provisions and that costs have been charged in compliance with it. This information and data must be precise, complete and effective. 3. The beneficiaries shall keep the originals - including electronic originals where accepted by the relevant national authorities - or, in exceptional cases, duly authenticated copies – including electronic copies - of all documents relating to the grant agreement for up to five years from the end closing date of the project. These shall be made available to the REA or to the Commission where requested during any audit under the grant agreement. 4. In order to carry out these audits, the beneficiaries shall ensure that the REA, the Commission's services and any external body(ies) authorised by any of them it have on-the-spot access at all reasonable times, notably to the beneficiary's offices, to its computer data, to its accounting data and to all the information needed to carry out those audits, including information on individual salaries of persons involved in the project. They shall ensure that the information is readily available on the spot at the moment of the audit and, if so requested, that data be handed over in an appropriate form. 5. On the basis of the findings made during the financial audit, a provisional report shall be drawn up. It shall be sent by the REA or the Commission or the its authorised representative to the beneficiary concerned, which may make observations thereon within one month of receiving it. The REA or the Commission may decide not to take into account observations conveyed or documents sent after that deadline. The final report shall be sent to the beneficiary concerned within two months of expiry of the aforesaid deadline. However, the Commission may suspend this time limit in the case that the observations made by the beneficiaries significantly change the content of the audit report. 6. On the basis of the conclusions of the audit, the REA or the Commission shall take all appropriate measures which it considers necessary, including the issuing of recovery orders regarding all or part of the payments made by it and the application of any applicable sanction. 7. The European Court of Auditors shall have the same rights as the REA and the Commission, notably right of access, for the purpose of checks and audits, without prejudice to its own rules. 8. In addition, the REA or the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities10, irregularities10 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)11 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)12.