- examine it for compliance with this Directive,

- evaluate the risks posed by the release,

- record its conclusions in writing, and if necessary,

- carry out tests or inspections as may be necessary for control purposes.

2. The competent authority, having considered, where appropriate, any comments by other Member States made in accordance with Article 9, shall respond in writing to the notifier within 90 days of receipt of the notification by either:

(a) indicating that it is satisfied that the notification is in compliance with this Directive and that the release may proceed, or

(b) indicating that the release does not fulfil the conditions of this Directive and the notification is therefore rejected.

3. For the purpose of calculating the 90-day period referred to in paragraph 2, any periods of time during which the competent authority:

- is awaiting further information which it may have requested from the notifier,

or

- is carrying out a public inquiry or consultation in accordance with Article 7

shall not be taken into account.

4. The notifier may proceed with the release only when he has received the written consent of the competent authority, and in conformity with any conditions required in this consent.

5. If the competent authority considers that sufficient experience has been obtained of releases of certain GMOs, it may submit to the Commission a request for the application of simplified procedures for releases of such types of GMOs. The Commission shall, in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 21, establish appropriate criteria and take a decision accordingly on each application. The criteria shall be based on safety to human health and the environment and on the evidence available on such safety.

The criteria for the application of simplified procedures in the case of deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified plants have been established in the Commission directive 94/730/CE.

6. If information becomes available subsequently to the competent authority which could have significant consequences for the risks posed by the release, the competent authority may require the notifier to modify the conditions of, suspend or terminate the deliberate release.