Article 41

Where the certificate or an extract of the certificate is returned to the issuing authority within a period corresponding to the initial two thirds of its term of validity, the corresponding amount of security to be forfeited shall be reduced by 40 %, for which purpose, any part of a day shall count as a whole day.

Where the certificate or extract of the certificate is returned to the issuing authority within a period corresponding to the last third of its term of validity or during the month following the expiry date, the corresponding amount of security to be forfeited shall be reduced by 25 %.

Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply only to certificates and extracts from certificates returned to the issuing authority during the budget period in respect of which the certificates have been issued, provided that they are returned no later than 31 August of that period.