1. ESMA may by simple request or by decision require credit rating agencies, persons involved in credit rating activities, rated entities and related third parties, third parties to whom the credit rating agencies have outsourced operational functions or activities and persons otherwise closely and substantially related or connected to credit rating agencies or credit rating activities to provide all information that is necessary in order to carry out its duties under this Regulation.
2. When sending a simple request for information under paragraph 1, ESMA shall:
(a) refer to this Article as the legal basis for the request;
(b) state the purpose of the request;
(c) specify what information is required;
(d) set a time-limit within which the information is to be provided;
(e) inform the person from whom the information is requested that there is no obligation to provide the information but that any reply to the request for information must not be incorrect or misleading;
(f) indicate the
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