- 1.) If the sector-specific Union acts listed in Part II of the Annex contain specific rules on reporting infringements, those rules apply. The provisions of this Directive apply insofar as the issue in question is not bindingly regulated by these sector-specific Union acts.
- 2.) This Directive does not affect the responsibility of Member States to ensure national security or their power to protect their essential security interests. In particular, this Directive does not apply to reports of breaches of the rules on public procurement relating to defense or security aspects, unless these are covered by the relevant Union law.
- 3.) This Directive does not affect the application of Union or national law in relation to any of the following:
- a) the protection of classified information;
- b) the protection of legal and medical confidentiality obligations;
- c) judicial advisory secrecy;
- d) the law of criminal procedure.
- 4.) This Directive does not affect national rules on the exercise of workers’ right to consult their representatives or trade unions and on protection against unjustified adverse action as a result of such consultation, and on the autonomy of the social partners and their right to enter into collective agreements. This is without prejudice to the level of protection guaranteed by this directive.