A:

Although clause 39 gives relief  from audit certificates as stated, at least during the life of the project (although there needs to be a single audit certificate for the whole of the project and its costs per partner at the end), it cannot supersede the contract (unless specifically authorised by the project officer). Existing contracts will therefore have to continue under their rules. The time to sort the point out is at contract negotiating stage - another reason for even small partners to be involved actively at negotiation stage.