1. The ECB shall establish an internal independent investigating unit (hereinafter the 'investigating unit') which shall be composed of investigating officers designated by the ECB.
2. The investigating officers shall not be involved, and shall not for the two years before taking up the position of investigating officer, have been involved in the direct or indirect supervision or authorisation of the relevant supervised entity.
3. The investigating officers shall perform their investigative functions independently of the Supervisory Board and Governing Council and shall not take part in the deliberations of the Supervisory Board and Governing Council.