Article 33 Use by FIUs of information exchanged between them

This article governs the use of information exchanged between FIUs under the cooperation and joint analysis provisions established in Articles 29, 31, and 32.

It sets the boundaries for how received information can be used and gives the transmitting FIU the ability to place restrictions on how that information is handled by the receiving FIU.

A notable carve-out exists: where a transmission relates to a suspicious transaction report from an obliged entity operating under the freedom to provide services in another Member State, and that report has no link to the transmitting FIU's own Member State, restrictions cannot be imposed.

The article closes with a practical operational requirement for FIUs to maintain a designated contact point for cross-border information requests.

Important points:

• Information received from other FIUs must only be used for the purposes of the FIU's tasks as set out in this Directive.
• The transmitting FIU may impose restrictions and conditions on the use of exchanged information, and the receiving FIU must comply with them.
• Member States are required to ensure each FIU designates at least one contact person or point responsible for receiving information requests from FIUs in other Member States.