After the start of the research, any substantial modification of the research on the initiative of the sponsor must obtain a favourable opinion from the Committee prior to its implementation and, in the case of research mentioned in 1° of Article L. 1121-1, authorisation from the competent authority. In this case, the Committee ensures that a new consent is obtained from the persons participating in the research if this is necessary.
When the request for a substantial modification gives rise to serious doubt as to the classification of a research project with regard to the three categories of research involving the human person defined in article L. 1121-1, the relevant personal data protection committee refers the matter to the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products).
If the committee’s opinion is unfavourable, the sponsor may ask the Minister for Health to submit the request for substantial modification to another committee for a second review, in accordance with the procedures set out in article L. 1123-14.