Levels 1 and 0

Panels can make upgrades from level 0 to level 1 throughout the year, and the upgrades take effect immediately. Instead, the panels must decide downgrades from level 1 to level 0 annually between January 1 and June 30. The decreased level will take effect from the beginning of the following year.

Levels 2 and 3

The panels may upgrade publication channels to levels 2 and 3 yearly if a free Level 2 and Level 3 quota has been created due to addition of Level 1 journals. However, downgrades from levels 2 and 3 should take place only during the re-evaluation of levels 2 and 3 (every four years). If a panel wishes to downgrade a publication channel at level 2 or 3 before the next re-evaluation, it needs to justify the decision to the Steering Group. The panels will check between January and June each year if there is need for individual changes to Levels 2 and 3. If a publication channel is downgraded, a new level will take effect from the beginning of the following year. Upgrades will take effect without delays.