#32026D01696Decision of the High Representative on Replacing Appendix B to the EEAS Security Rules (ADMIN/2026/5)
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This decision updates Appendix B of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Security Rules to reflect changes in Belgium's national security classification system and to align with the latest Council Decision 2013/488/EU as amended in 2025. Belgium has introduced a new fourth classification level called 'RESTREINT (Loi 11.12.1998) – BEPERKT (Wet 11.12.1998)'. The annex provides an updated equivalence table mapping EU, Euratom, and all Member States' classification levels. The update ensures consistent handling and protection of classified information across EU institutions and member states. The decision was adopted on 17 February 2026 and enters into force the following day.
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Key Changes
- Replaces entire Appendix B of Decision ADMIN(2023)18 with new equivalence table
- Adds new Belgian classification level 'RESTREINT (Loi 11.12.1998) – BEPERKT (Wet 11.12.1998)'
- Updates equivalence mappings for all EU Member States, Euratom and EU levels
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Replace Appendix B to Decision ADMIN(2023)18 with the new equivalence table for security classifications of EU, Euratom, and Member States as specified in Annex I
Implement the new Belgian classification level 'RESTREINT (Loi 11.12.1998) – BEPERKT (Wet 11.12.1998)' into security handling procedures as reflected in the updated equivalence table
Align handling and protection of classified information with the updated equivalence mappings provided in Annex I for all Member States and EU/Euratom classifications
Apply the updated equivalence table with immediate effect from 18 February 2026 (the day following the decision's signature on 17 February 2026)
Ensure consistent handling of French classified information generated before 1 July 2021 marked as 'TRÈS SECRET DÉFENSE', 'SECRET DÉFENSE', and 'CONFIDENTIEL DÉFENSE' at equivalent EU levels as specified in footnote (2)