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1. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that their competent authorities are required to make available the information described in paragraph 2 of this Article to any natural or legal person, in response to any reasonable request, without that person's having to prove an interest, without unreasonable charges, as soon as possible and at the latest within two months.
2. The information referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article is any available information in written, visual, aural or data-base form on the state of the maritime area, on activities or measures adversely affecting or likely to affect it and on activities or measures introduced in accordance with the Convention.
3. The provisions of this Article shall not affect the right of Contracting Parties, in accordance with their national legal systems and applicable international regulations, to provide for a request for such information to be refused where it affects:
a) the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities, international relations and national defence;
b) public security;
c) matters which are, or have been, sub judice, or under enquiry (including disciplinary enquiries), or which are the subject of preliminary investigation proceedings;
d) commercial and industrial confidentiality, including intellectual property;
e) the confidentiality of personal data and/or files;
f) material supplied by a third party without that party being under a legal obligation to do so;
g) material, the disclosure of which would make it more likely that the environment to which such material related would be damaged.
4. The reasons for a refusal to provide the information requested must be given.