20. The information referred to in paragraph 1 shall be available through the central registers and through the system of interconnection of central registers for 5 years after the legal entity has been dissolved or the legal arrangement has ceased to exist.
Without prejudice to national criminal law on evidence applicable to ongoing criminal investigations and legal proceedings, Member States may, in specific cases, permit such information to be retained, or require that such information be retained, for an additional maximum period of 5 years where Member States have established that such retention is necessary and proportionate for the purpose of preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting suspected money laundering or terrorist financing.
Upon expiry of the retention period referred to in the first subparagraph, Member States shall ensure that the personal data is deleted from the central registers.