1. Before issuing an identification document, the issuing body, or the person acting on its behalf, shall take all appropriate measures to:
((a))
verify that no such identification document has already been issued for the equine animal concerned;
((b))
prevent the fraudulent issuing of multiple identification documents for an individual equine animal.
2. The measures provided for in paragraph 1 shall include:
((a))
consulting the appropriate documentation and electronic records available;
((b))
estimating the age of the equine animal;
((c))
checking the equine animal, as provided for in Article 17, for any signs or marks indicative of any previous identification.