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1. To the extent necessary to achieve the objective of this Regulation, the Union shall cooperate with third countries and with the competent international organisations in the areas covered by this Regulation in order to protect consumers’ interests. The Union and the third countries concerned may conclude agreements setting out arrangements for cooperation, including the establishment of mutual assistance arrangements, the exchange of confidential information and exchange of staff programmes.

2. Agreements concluded between the Union and third countries concerning cooperation and mutual assistance to protect and enhance consumers’ interests shall respect the relevant data protection rules applicable to the transfer of personal data to third countries.

3. When a competent authority receives information that is potentially of relevance for the competent authorities of other Member States from an authority of a third country, it shall communicate the information to those competent authorities insofar as it is permitted to do so under any applicable bilateral assistance agreements with that third country and insofar as that information is in accordance with Union law regarding the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data.

4. Information communicated under this Regulation may also be communicated to an authority of a third country by a competent authority under a bilateral assistance agreement with that third country, provided that the approval of the competent authority that originally communicated the information has been obtained, and provided that it is in accordance with Union law regarding the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data.