(2)In order to perform the tasks entrusted to the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national competent authorities (NCAs) of those Member States participating in the Single Supervisory Mechanism (hereinafter the ‘SSM’) pursuant to the Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013, the ECB and the NCAs adhere to the principles of independence, accountability, transparency and maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity including no tolerance towards inappropriate behaviour and harassment. A governance framework safeguarding these principles and standards is a key element in ensuring the credibility of the SSM and is essential to securing the trust of supervised entities and Union citizens.