4.
A competent authority may refuse to act on a request for cooperation in carrying out an investigation or supervisory activity or to exchange information as provided for in paragraph 3 only where: such an investigation, on-the-spot verification, supervisory activity or exchange of information might adversely affect the sovereignty, security or public policy of the Member State addressed; judicial proceedings have already been initiated in respect of the same actions and the same persons before the authorities of the Member State addressed; final judgement has already been delivered in the Member State addressed in respect of the same persons and the same actions. In the event of such a refusal, the competent authority shall notify the requesting competent authority accordingly, providing as detailed information as possible.
← art_36__para_3__text_3 · All articles · art_36__para_4__text_1 →
Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-11 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.