Article 4 Assigning a classification level
United Kingdom
Staff drafting a document on the basis of information within the meaning of Article 1 shall always consider whether their document needs to be classified. Classifying a document as EUCI shall involve an assessment and a decision by the originator as to whether the disclosure of the document to unauthorised persons would cause prejudice to the interests of the European Union or of one or more of the Member States. If drafters are in any doubt as to whether the document they are drafting warrants being classified as CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET they should consult the Head of Unit or Director responsible.
A document shall be classified as at least CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL if its unauthorised disclosure could, inter alia:
materially damage diplomatic relations, i.e. cause formal protest or other sanctions;
prejudice individual security or liberty;
cause damage to the operational effectiveness or security of Member States' or other contributors' deployed personnel, or to the effectiveness of valuable security or intelligence operations;
substantially undermine the financial viability of major organisations;
impede the investigation of or facilitate serious crime;
work substantially against the Union's or Member States' financial, monetary, economic and commercial interests;
seriously impede the development or operation of major Union policies;
shut down or otherwise substantially disrupt significant Union activities;
lead to the discovery of information classified at a higher level.
Information shall be classified as at least SECRET UE/EU SECRET if its unauthorised disclosure could, inter alia:
raise international tensions;
seriously damage relations with third countries or international organisations;
threaten life directly or seriously prejudice public order or individual security or liberty;
cause serious damage to the operational effectiveness or security of Member States' or other contributors' deployed personnel, or to the continuing effectiveness of highly valuable security or intelligence operations;
cause substantial material damage to the Union's or Member States' financial, monetary, economic or commercial interests;
lead to the discovery of information classified at a higher level.
Originators may decide to attribute a standard classification level to categories of information that they create on a regular basis. However, they shall ensure that individual pieces of information are given the appropriate classification level.