Regulation 17 Selection from among several candidates

(1)

This regulation applies where the number of authorisations available from a competent authority under an authorisation scheme for a given service activity is limited because of the scarcity of available natural resources or technical capacity.

(2)

The selection procedure established by the competent authority must fully secure impartiality and transparency, including, in particular, adequate publicity about the launch, conduct and completion of the procedure.

(3)

Authorisation granted by the competent authority—

(a)

must be granted for an appropriate limited period, and

(b)

may not—

(i)

be open to automatic renewal, or

(ii)

confer any other advantage on a previously authorised candidate or on a person having any particular links with such a candidate.

(4)

Subject to paragraph (2) and to regulations 14 and 15, a competent authority may, in establishing the rules for the selection procedure, take into account—

(a)

considerations of public health,

(b)

social policy objectives,

(c)

the health and safety of employees or self-employed persons,

(d)

the protection of the environment,

(e)

the preservation of cultural heritage, and

(f)

other overriding reasons relating to the public interest,

in conformity with Community law.