A:

The Commission official response as per their document “Audit Certificate Guidance Notes for the 6th Framework Programme” – version 1- June 2005 is:

-          “…Relevant national authorities establish the legal capacity of the internal audit unit (of a given public body) to act as competent public officer.

-          This is usually done by a letter of notification to (and subsequent letter of confirmation from) the relevant research DG…”