(4)The flexibility given to investment firms as regards the method of payment should not interfere with the obligation of those firms to act honestly, fairly and professionally in accordance with the best interest of their clients. Therefore, those investment firms should be required to assess the quality of research that they consume or provide to ensure that the research provided by a third party to them is of quality and can be used to contribute to a better investment decision, thus bringing an added-value for the end-investor.