1531. (1) Statutory auditors and audit firms shall keep the documents and information referred to in Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 for a period of at least 6 years.

(2) Where a transaction, act or operation is the subject of an investigation, inquiry, claim, assessment, appeal or proceeding which has already commenced within that 6 year period, then the relevant documents and information shall be retained until such time as the investigation, inquiry, claim, assessment, appeal or proceeding has been concluded or for a period of at least 6 years, whichever is the longer.]