I.-The external quality assessment bodies referred to in article L. 6221-9 must meet the following criteria:
1° Competence, in terms of qualifications and experience, to organise quality control campaigns;
2° Independence from manufacturers of in vitro diagnostic medical devices and medical biology laboratories. The conditions of this independence are defined by order of the Minister for Health, after obtaining the opinion of the Director General of the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé.
External quality assessment bodies accredited in accordance with the standard in force for this purpose are presumed to meet the above-mentioned criteria for controls that correspond to the scope of their accreditation.
II – The annual report referred to in Article L. 6221-9 is sent by the external quality assessment bodies to the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé by 31 March of the following year at the latest.