The competent authority may grant conditional approval if it appears that the establishment meets all the infrastructure and equipment requirements. It shall grant full approval only if it appears from a new official control of the establishment, carried out within three months of granting conditional approval, that the establishment meets the other relevant requirements of food law. If clear progress has been made but the establishment still does not meet all of the relevant requirements, the competent authority may prolong the conditional approval. However, conditional approval shall not exceed a total of six months, except in the case of factory and freezer vessels flying the flag of Member States, for which such conditional approval shall not exceed a total of 12 months.