For the purposes of this Directive the following definitions shall apply:

1. "competent authority" of a Member State means the authority which has been designated as such by that Member State. When acting pursuant to this Directive, the central liaison office, a liaison department or a competent official shall also be deemed to be competent authorities by delegation according to Article 4;

2. "central liaison office" means the office which has been designated as such with principal responsibility for contacts with other Member States in the field of administrative cooperation;

3. "liaison department" means any office other than the central liaison office which has been designated as such to directly exchange information pursuant to this Directive;

4. "competent official" means any official who is authorised to directly exchange information pursuant to this Directive;