1.   Except where otherwise stated in this Regulation, any forms to be used under this Regulation shall be transmitted in writing by post or by electronic means.

2.   In determining the most appropriate means of communication in any particular case, due account shall be taken of confidentiality considerations, the time necessary for correspondence, the volume of material to be communicated, and the ease of access to the information by the requesting competent authority.

3.   Competent authorities shall ensure that the completeness, integrity and confidentiality of the information subject matter of the exchange are maintained during the transmission.