18.3.2015 Official Journal of the European Union L 74/31 DECISIONS COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2015/450 of 16 March 2015 laying down test requirements for Member States integrating into the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) or changing substantially their directly related national systems (notified under document C(2015) 1612) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (), and in particular Articles 8(4), 9(1) and 20(3), point (a) of Article 22, and Articles 36(4) and 37(7) thereof, Having regard to Council Decision 2007/533/JHA of 12 June 2007 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (3), and in particular Articles 8(4), 9(1) and 20(4), point (a) of Article 22, and Articles 51(4) and 52(7) thereof, Having consulted the European Data Protection Supervisor, Whereas: (1) The Schengen Information System was set up pursuant to the provisions of Title IV of the Convention of 19 June 1990 implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between the governments of the States of the Benelux Economic Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic on the gradual abolition of checks at their common borders (}). That system constituted an essential tool for the application of the provision of the Schengen acquis as integrated into the framework of the Union. (2)  The Schengen Information System was replaced on 9 April 2013 by the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) when Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 and Decision 2007/533JHA became applicable. Like its predecessor system, SIS II constitutes a major counterpart to the abolition of controls at the internal borders as well as a crucial contribution to the maintenance of a high level of security within the area of freedom, security and justice. (3)  The technical architecture of SIS II is composed of a central system (Central SIS II), national applications and a communication infrastructure between Central SIS II and the national applications. (4) It was and remains necessary to conduct tests in order to assess whether SIS II operates in accordance with the technical and functional requirements as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 and Decision 2007/533[JHA. (5)  The testing requirements applicable for the major test phases of the technical development of SIS II were laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 189/2008 (*) and Council Decision 2008/173[JHA (*) as well as in Council Regulation (EC) No 1104/2008 (*) and Council Decision 2008/839JHA (). Those instruments defined the basic () OJL381,28.12.2006, p. 4. () OJL205,7.8.2007,p. 63. () OJL239,22.9.2000, p. 19. (*) Council Regulation (EC) No 189/2008 of 18 February 2008 on the tests of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJL 57,1.3.2008, p. 1). () Council Decision 2008/173/JHA of 18 February 2008 on the tests of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS 1) (OJ L 57,1.3.2008, p. 14). (®) Council Regulation (EC) No 1104/2008 of 24 October 2008 on migration from the Schengen Information System (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS1I) (O] L 299, 8.11.2008, p. 1). () Council Decision 2008/839/JHA of 24 October 2008 on migration from the Schengen Information System (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS 1) (O] L 299, 8.11.2008, p. 43).