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;
5. "requesting authority" means the central liaison office, a liaison department or any competent official of a Member S
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