"This has to be one of the longest certification processes in aviation history."

Nah, they're just slow to update their website.

Due to political issues, EASA was rather reluctant to permit certification of a foreign manufacturers sailplane that was going head to head with 'their own'. So the solution was for a European firm to apply so they couldn't say no. The CS22 testing had to be repeated

Fast forward to present day and JS produces the parts and M&D assembles them. Only those gliders produced in this way can be certified. There'll be no backdating / retrospective certification.

CJ