(41)To limit the trickle-down effect on other companies, including small and medium-sized undertakings and small mid-cap companies, when it comes to the in-depth assessment of business partners, companies subject to Directive (EU) 2024/1760 should only request information from business partners where that information is necessary. It is important that any request be targeted, reasonable and proportionate. In the case of business partners with fewer than 5 000 employees, companies should request information only where the information cannot reasonably be obtained by other means such as from information they have or other sources.