I.-The approval referred to in article L. 331-30 and the second paragraph of article L. 331-33 is granted by the Minister for Culture for a period of five years to associations that meet the following conditions on the date of the application for approval:
1° Prove that they have been in existence for at least three years from the date of their declaration;
2° Prove, during the period mentioned in the previous paragraph, that they have been effectively and publicly active in defending the interests of the beneficiaries of at least one of the exceptions mentioned in 2° of article L. 331-28; this activity is assessed in particular on the basis of the production and dissemination of publications and information;
3° Bring together at least fifty members paying contributions individually; this condition may not be required of associations engaged in research and analysis activities of a scientific nature; where the association has a federal or confederal structure, the total number of contributors from the associations making it up is taken into account.
Accreditation is renewable under the same conditions as the initial accreditation.
Applications for accreditation and renewal are addressed to the minister responsible for culture. The composition of the application and the procedures for its examination are laid down by order of this minister. When the application submitted to the authorities is complete, a receipt is issued in accordance with articles R. 112-4 et seq of the Code des relations entre le public et l’administration. The approval or refusal decision is notified within two months of the issue of the receipt. Reasons must be given for refusal decisions.
II.-The legal entities approved under the conditions provided for in I of this article may refer the matter to the Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique in the collective interest of one or more categories of beneficiaries of the exceptions mentioned in 2° of article L. 331-28. They may also act on behalf of one or more identified natural or legal persons. The referral is only admissible if it mentions the category or categories of beneficiaries represented or if the mandates granted by natural persons or legal entities are attached to it.
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