Article 14 Originator control
United Kingdom
The originator shall have ‘originator control’ over CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET UE/EU SECRET information which it has created. The originator's prior written consent shall be sought before the information can be:
declassified or downgraded;
used for purposes other than those established by the originator;
released to a third country or international organisation;
disclosed to a party outside the Commission but within the EU; or
disclosed to a contractor or prospective contractor located in a third country.
Holders of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET UE/EU SECRET information are duly authorised individuals that have been given access to the classified information in order to be able to perform their duties. They are responsible for the correct handling, storage and protection of it in accordance with Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444. Unlike originators of classified information, holders shall not be authorised to decide on the downgrading, declassification or onward release of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET information.
If the originator of a piece of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET information cannot be identified, the Commission department holding that classified information shall exercise originator control. The Commission Security Expert Group shall be consulted before CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET information is released to a third country or international organisation.