(4)National measures in third countries taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the ability of accreditation bodies and competent authorities to schedule and carry out witness audits for the purpose of recognition of control authorities and control bodies under the compliance regime. To ensure a smooth transition from the equivalence regime to the compliance regime and to avoid risks of trade disruptions, for requests for recognition submitted before the expiration of the transition period provided for in Article 57(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, the validity period of the witness audits referred to in Article 1(2), point (i) and in point 3(a) of Part B of Annex I to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1698 should be extended.
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