For the purpose of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:
1. "statutory audit" means an audit of annual financial statements or consolidated financial statements in so far as: (a) required by Union law; (b) required by national law as regards small undertakings; (c) voluntarily carried out at the request of small undertakings which meets national legal requirements that are equivalent to those for an audit under point (b), where national legislation defines such audits as statutory audits;
2. "statutory auditor" means a natural person who is approved in accordance with this Directive by the competent authorities of a Member State to carry out statutory audits and, where applicable, the assurance of sustainability reporting;
3. "audit firm" means a legal person or any other entity, regardless of its legal form, that is approved in accordance with this Directive by the competent authorities of a Member State to carry out statutory audits and, where applicable, th
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