Article 14 — Conformity assessment bodies

1. Conformity assessment bodies shall be accredited to carry out the certification or verification activities referred to in Articles 11, 12 and 13. 2. The conformity assessment body shall be independent from transport and hub entities and from data intermediaries applying for the certification or verification activities referred to in Articles 11, 12 and 13. 3. The conformity assessment body, its top-level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the certification or verification activities shall not engage in any activity that may conflict with their independence of judgement or integrity in relation to certification or verification activities. 4. The conformity assessment body and its personnel shall carry out the certification or verification activities with the highest degree of professional integrity and the requisite technical competence and shall be free from all pressures and inducements, particularly financial, which might influence their judgment or the results of those activities, especially as regards persons or groups of persons with an interest in the results of those activities. 5. The conformity assessment body shall have the expertise, equipment and infrastructure required to carry out the certification or verification activities in relation to which it has been accredited. 6. The personnel of a conformity assessment body shall observe professional secrecy with regard to all information obtained in carrying out the certification or verification activities. 7. Where a conformity assessment body subcontracts specific activities connected with certification or verification, or has recourse to a subsidiary, it shall take full responsibility for the activities carried out by subcontractors and subsidiaries wherever those activities are carried out, including by assessing and monitoring the qualifications of the subcontractor or the subsidiary and the work carried out by them.