Article 2

The Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections pursuant to this Regulation:

• for the detection of serious or transnational irregularities or irregularities that may involve economic operators acting in several Member States, or

• where, for the detection of irregularities, the situation in a Member State requires on-the-spot checks and inspections to be strengthened in a particular case in order to improve the effectiveness of the protection of financial interests and so to ensure an equivalent level of protection within the Community, or

• at the request of the Member State concerned.