2. Where the panel considers it necessary for the purposes of providing an opinion, it shall request input from the technical group established in accordance with Article 12. In forming its opinion, the panel shall have regard to the information and data obtained from the technical group. It may also have regard to any other information at its disposal that it considers authoritative and relevant, including information resulting from reporting obligations pursuant to Article 5 of Directive 2014/40/EU.

3. With respect to the data and information provided by the technical group, the panel shall, in particular:

(a) verify whether the technical group respected applicable rules and scientific standards;

(b) assess the data and information, in particular to determine whether they are sufficient to reach a conclusion or whether additional data and information are needed;

4. If the panel considers the data or information to be insufficient or has doubts as to whether the applicable rules and standards were respected, it shall consult the Commission and, where applicable, the requesting Member State. Where it is considered necessary, the panel may ask the technical group to repeat certain tests taking into account the panel's comments.

5. Where the panel is satisfied that applicable rules and standards were respected, including, where applicable, following the procedure laid down in paragraph 4, and that the data and information are sufficient to reach a conclusion, it shall proceed to deliver an opinion in accordance with paragraph 2.

6. The panel shall submit its opinion to the Commission and any referring Member States within three months of the date of receipt of the request or by a date agreed with the Commission or the requesting Member State.

Article 11

Consultation on other matters

1. The Commission may consult the panel on other matters relating to the determination of a characterising flavour in accordance with Article 7 of Directive 2014/40/EU. In such cases, it shall decide, in consultation with the Chair, whether to convene a meeting or proceed by means of a written procedure.

2. The Chair may appoint a rapporteur from among the panel members to coordinate the task and shall submit a final report to the Commission.

3. In its deliberations, the panel shall consider, as appropriate, data and information provided to it by the technical group and other relevant information at its disposal.

Article 12

Technical group of sensory and chemical assessors

1. A technical group of sensory and chemical assessors (‘the technical group’) shall be set up to provide the panel with an assessment of the sensory and, where appropriate, chemical properties of the test product as part of the procedure laid down in Article 10. The technical group shall be composed of:

(a) two qualified persons selected on the basis of their knowledge, skills and experience in sensory analysis who shall be responsible for recruitment, training and supervision of the sensory assessors;

(b) sensory assessors recruited on the basis of their olfactory discrimination ability and their capacity to perceive, analyse and interpret smells, and who have reached the age of majority as laid down in applicable national legislation; and

(c) two persons selected on the basis of their knowledge and skills in chemical and laboratory analysis who shall be responsible for the chemical analysis of test products.