Recital 72

(72)

In many policy areas falling within the material scope of this Directive, there are cooperation mechanisms through which national competent authorities exchange information and carry out follow-up activities in relation to breaches of Union rules with a cross-border dimension. Examples range from the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System established by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1918 (36), in cases of cross-border breaches of the Union agri-food chain legislation, and the Food Fraud Network under Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (37), the rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products established by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (38), the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network under Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (39), to the Environmental Compliance and Governance Forum set up by the Commission Decision of 18 January 2018 (40), the European Competition Network established pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, and the administrative cooperation in the field of taxation under Council Directive 2011/16/EU (41). Member States' competent authorities should make full use of such existing cooperation mechanisms where relevant as part of their obligation to follow up on reports regarding breaches falling within the scope of this Directive. In addition, Member States' authorities could also cooperate beyond the existing cooperation mechanisms in cases of breaches with a cross-border dimension in areas where such cooperation mechanisms do not exist.