Classified data

The classification of data is an administrative procedure unique to each organisation or sector of activity, that determines the conditions for handling the information depending on the need to preserve its confidentiality.

The European Union is governed by:

·       Commission Decision of 29 November 2001, amending its internal Rules of Procedure (2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom).

·       Council Decision of 19 March 2001, adopting the council’s security regulations (2001/264/EC).

in which the following levels were set:

Très secret UE / EU Top Secret

This classification only applies to information and material whose unauthorised disclosure could cause exceptionally serious damage to the essential interests of the European Union or of one or more of its Member States.

If materials marked TRÈS SECRET UE/EU TOP SECRET are in danger, this would be likely to:

·       Directly threaten the internal stability of the EU or of one of its Member States or of friendly countries.

·       Cause exceptionally serious damage to relationships with friendly governments.

·       Directly cause the general loss of human lives.

·       Cause exceptionally serious damage to the capacity to function effectively or to the security of the forces of the Member States or to those of other contributors or cause damage to the continuing effectiveness of highly valuable security or intelligence operations.

·       Cause serious long-term damage to the economy of the EU or of the Member States.  

Secret UE

This classification only applies to information and material whose unauthorised disclosure could cause serious prejudice to the interests of the European Union or of one or more of its Member States.

If materials marked SECRET UE are in danger, this would be likely to:

·       Raise international tensions.

·       Cause serious prejudice to relationships with friendly governments.

·       Place lives directly in danger or seriously damages public order or individual security or liberty.

·       Cause exceptionally serious damage to the capacity to function effectively or to the security of the forces of the Member States or to those of other contributors or cause damage to the continuing effectiveness of highly valuable security or intelligence operations.

·       Cause considerable material damage to the financial, monetary, economic or commercial interest of the EU or of one of its Member States.

Confidentiel UE

This classification applies to information and material whose unauthorised disclosure could cause prejudice to the interests of the European Union or of one or more of its Member States.

 If materials marked CONFIDENTIEL UE are in danger, this would be likely to:

·       Cause prejudice to diplomatic relationships, that is, causes a formal protest or other sanctions.

·       Prejudice individual security or liberty.

·       Prejudice the capacity to function effectively or the security of the forces of the Member States or to those of other contributors or reduce the effectiveness of highly valuable security or intelligence operations.

·       Notably reduce the financial viability of important organisations.

·       Impede the investigation or facilitate the commission of serious offences.

·       Notably reduce the financial, economic and commercial interests of the EU or of its Member States.

·       Cause serious obstacles to the development or functioning of priority policies of the EU.

·       Interrupt or noticeably disturb important activities of the EU. 

Restreint UE

This classification applies to information and material whose unauthorised disclosure could be disadvantageous to the interests of the European Union or of one or more of its Member States.

If materials marked RESTREINT UE are in danger, this would be likely to:

·       Unfavourably affect diplomatic relationships.

·       Cause considerable suffering to individuals.

·       Make it difficult to maintain the operational effectiveness or security of the forces of the Member States or of other contributors.

·       Cause financial losses or facilitate unfair gains or advantages to individuals or companies.

·       Breach proper undertakings to maintain the reserve of information facilitated by third parties.

·       Breach legal restrictions on the disclosure of information.

·       Make investigation difficult or facilitate the commission of offences.

·       Place the EU or its Member States at a disadvantage in commercial negotiations or in actions of other types with third parties.

·       Place obstacles to the development or to the effective functioning of priority policies of the EU.

·       Reduce the appropriate management of the EU and of its operations.

Related Topics

Types of assets

---