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1. Each Member State shall ensure that:

(a) all training, assessment of competence, certification, including medical certification, endorsement and revalidation activities carried out by non-governmental agencies or entities under their authority are continuously monitored through a quality standards system to ensure the achievement of defined objectives, including those concerning the qualifications and experience of instructors and assessors, in accordance with Section A-I/8 of the STCW Code;

(b) where governmental agencies or entities perform such activities, there is a quality standards system in accordance with Section A-I/8 of the STCW Code;

(c) education and training objectives and related quality standards of competence to be achieved are clearly defined and that the levels of knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the examinations and assessments required under the STCW Convention are identified;

(d) the fields of application of the quality standards cover the administration of the certification systems, all training courses and programmes, examinations and assessments carried out by or under the authority of each Member State and the qualifications and experience required of instructors and assessors, having regard to the policies, systems, controls and internal quality-assurance reviews established to ensure the achievement of the defined objectives. The objectives and related quality standards referred to in the first subparagraph, point (c), may be specified separately for different courses and training programmes and shall cover the administration of the certification system.

2. Member States shall also ensure that independent evaluations of the knowledge, understanding, skills and competence acquisition and assessment activities and of the administration of the certification system are conducted at intervals of not more than five years by qualified persons who are not themselves involved in the activities concerned, in order to verify that:

(a) all internal management control and monitoring measures and follow-up actions comply with planned arrangements and documental procedures and are effective in ensuring that the defined objectives are achieved;

(b) the results of each independent evaluation are documented and brought to the attention of those responsible for the area evaluated;

(c) timely action is taken to correct deficiencies;

(d) all applicable provisions of the STCW Convention and Code, including amendments, are covered by the quality standards system. Member States may also include within this system the other applicable provisions of this Directive.

3. A report relating to each evaluation carried out pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article shall be communicated by the Member State concerned to the Commission, in accordance with the format specified in Section A-I/7 of the STCW Code, within six months of the date of the evaluation.