A1.In this Chapter:

(a) "requesting CSD" means the CSD or third-country CSD which requests access to the services of a CSD or third-country CSD through a CSD link; and

(b)"receiving CSD" means the CSD or third-country CSD which receives the request of another CSD or third-country CSD to have access to its services through a CSD link.

1. A CSD link shall be established and maintained under the following conditions:

(a) the requesting CSD shall meet the requirements of the receiving CSD's participation rules;

(b) where a requestis made by a CSD to a third-country CSD, the requesting CSD shall conduct an analysis of the receiving third-country CSD's financial soundness, governance arrangements, processing capacity, operational reliability and any reliance on a third party critical service provider;

(c) where a request is made by a CSD to a third-country CSD, the requesting CSD shall take all necessary measures to monitor and manage the risks that are identified following the analysis referred to in point (b);