Section 3: Information and consultation procedure instituted by agreement.

Where, instead of setting up a European Works Council, the special negotiating body opts for the establishment of one or more information and consultation procedures, the agreement shall lay down the arrangements by which the employees’ representatives may meet in order to carry out a consultation on the information communicated to them and which relates, in particular, to transnational issues significantly affecting the interests of the employees.

The employees’ representatives within the framework of an information and consultation procedure and the experts who assist them are bound : 1° Professional secrecy for all matters relating to manufacturing processes; 2° An obligation of discretion with regard to information of a confidential nature and given as such by the employer.