The panels are required to produce more precise justification of what Level 1 criteria the channels rated at Level 0 do not meet (see 3.2). For Level 2 and Level 3, the panels need to provide, in general terms, the principles and criteria that form the basis for the the classification.

In addition, the aim is to record channel-specific justifications for decisions that significantly deviate from the impact factors or the Norwegian and Danish ratings of expert panels: 

• The panels may grant level 2 or 3 without separate justifications if the publication channel meets one of the following criteria:
  • SNIP >= 1.5, or
• • Norway level 2, or
  • Denmark level 2.
• If the publication channel does not meet any of the above criteria, the panels must justify upgrade to level 2 or 3.