1.Where a Member State requires of its own nationals, who wish to pursue one of the activities referred to in Article 2, either an extract from the "judicial records" or the production of a specific document, it shall accept, in respect of nationals of other Member States, the production of the document required for the same purpose in the Member State of origin or the State from which the foreign national comes or, failing this, an equivalent document issued by a competent judicial or administrative authority in the State of origin or in the State from which the foreign national comes.
2.Where a Member State takes other information into account in respect of its own nationals, account may also be taken of facts other than those which may appear in the documents referred to in paragraph 1 if they can be substantiated and if they show that the person concerned does not fulfil all the requirements as to good repute necessary in order to pursue his activity. Member States shall accord to certificates issued by the competent judicial or administrative authorities of the country of origin or country from which the foreign national comes and relating to the existence or non-existence of certain facts the same recognition as they accord to certificates issued by their own authorities.
3.Where a Member State requires of its own nationals wishing to take up or pursue any activity referred to in Article 2 proof of no previous bankruptcy, that State shall accept, in respect of nationals of other Member States, the production of the certificate usually issued for this purpose by the authorities of the Member State of origin or country from which the foreign national comes.
4.Where the country of origin or the country from which the foreign national comes does not issue one of the documents referred to in paragraphs 1 and 3, such proof may be replaced by a declaration on oath - or, in States where there is no provision for declaration on oath, by a solemn declaration - made by the person concerned before a competent judicial or administrative authority, or, where appropriate, a notary, in the country from which the person comes ; such authority or notary will issue a certificate attesting the authority of the declaration on oath or solemn declaration. A declaration in respect of no previous bankruptcy may also be made before a competent professional or trade body in the said country.
5.Documents issued in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 may not be produced more than three months after their date of issue.
6.Member States shall, within the time limit laid down in Article 8, designate the authorities and bodies competent to issue these documents and shall forthwith inform the other Member States and the Commission thereof.