Article 9 Obligations of distributors

1.When making a product available on the Union market, distributors shall act with due care in relation to the requirements set out in this Chapter.

2.Before making a product available on the market, distributors shall verify that the product bears the CE marking and, when applicable, the UA class identification label and the indication of the sound power level, is accompanied by the documents referred to in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Article 6 and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of Article 6 and in paragraph 3 of Article 8. Distributors shall ensure that the product is accompanied by the manufacturers’ instructions and information notice required by Parts 1 to 6, 16 and 17 of the Annex in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end users, as determined by the Member State concerned. Those manufacturers’ instructions and information notice, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and legible. Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that a product is not in conformity with the requirements set out in Article 4, he shall not make the product available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the product presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect, as well as the competent market surveillance authorities.

3.Distributors shall ensure that, while a product is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the requirements set out in Article 4.

4.Distributors who consider or have reasons to believe that a product which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with the applicable Union harmonisation legislation shall make sure that the corrective measures necessary to bring that product into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate, are taken. Furthermore, where the product presents a risk, distributors shall immediately inform the market surveillance authorities of the Member States in which they made the product available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.

5.Distributors shall, further to a reasoned request from the competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the product. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by the product which they have made available on the market.