CHAPTER 1GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1Subject matter and scope

1.

This Decision sets out the handling conditions for EU classified information (EUCI) of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL6 and SECRET UE/EU SECRET7 level in compliance with Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444.

2.

This Decision shall apply to all Commission departments and in all premises of the Commission.

Article 2Criteria for access to CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET UE/EU SECRET information

1.

Access to information classified as CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET may be granted after:

(a)

The need for an individual to have access to certain CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET information in order to be able to perform a professional function or task for the European Commission has been determined;

(b)

The individual has been briefed on the rules and the relevant security standards and guidelines for protecting CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET UE/EU SECRET information;

(c)

The individual has acknowledged their responsibilities for protecting the information concerned; and

(d)

The individual has been authorised by the Commission security authority to access EUCI up to the relevant level and until a specified date in accordance with Article 10(1)3 of Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444.

2.

Commission trainees shall not be given duties that require them to have access to CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET UE/EU SECRET information.

3.

Access shall be withheld or permitted for other categories of staff in accordance with the table set out in the Annex.