Each Member State may designate a central authority or, where its legal system so provides, more than one central authority, to assist its competent authorities.

A Member State may, if it is necessary as a result of the organisation of its internal judicial system, make its central authority or authorities responsible for the administrative transmission and reception of any European protection order, as well as for all other official correspondence relating thereto. As a consequence, all communications, consultations, exchanges of information, enquiries and notifications between competent authorities may be dealt with, where appropriate, with the assistance of the designated central authority or authorities of the Member State concerned.

Member States wishing to make use of the possibilities referred to in this Article shall communicate to the Commission information relating to the designated central authority or authorities. These indications shall be binding upon all the authorities of the issuing State.