General limits to the obligations of the requested authority
Article 25
1. The requested authority shall provide the requesting authority with the information requested in accordance with this Regulation, provided that: (a) the requesting authority has exhausted the usual sources of information which it could have used in the circumstances to obtain the information requested, without running the risk of jeopardising the achievement of the desired end; and (b) the number and the nature of the requests for information made by the requesting authority within a specific period do not impose a disproportionate administrative burden on that requested authority. 2. This Regulation shall impose no obligation on the competent authority of a Member State to carry out enquiries or to provide information if the laws or administrative practices of that Member State do not authorise its authorities to carry out such enquiries or to collect or use such information for that Member State’s own purposes. 3. The competent authority of a Member State may refuse to provide information if the requesting Member State is unable, for legal reasons, to provide similar information. 4. The provision of information may be refused where it would lead to the disclosure of a commercial, industrial or professional secret or of a commercial process, or where its disclosure would be contrary to public policy. 5. The requested authority shall inform the requesting authority of the grounds for refusing a request for assistance. For statistical purposes, competent authorities shall, on an annual basis, inform the Commission of the categories of grounds for refusals. 6. In no case shall paragraphs 2, 3 or 4 be construed as permitting a requested authority to decline to supply information solely because that information is held by a bank, other financial institution, nominee or person acting in an agency or a fiduciary capacity or because it relates to ownership interests in a person.