Methodology for the evaluation of the specific criteria
Article 7
1. The evaluation of each applicable specific criterion shall consider both the design of the scheme's policies and standards and the scheme's implementation of them in accordance with section 3.2 of the OECD Methodology. 2. The Commission shall determine whether a scheme is ‘fully’, ‘partially’ or ‘not’ aligned with regard to all applicable specific criteria in accordance with section 3.2 of the OECD Methodology. 3. The evaluation of the applicable specific criteria shall not take into account any potential policies, standards, activities and other aspects of a scheme which do not relate to due diligence of supply chains of the metals and minerals covered by Regulation (EU) 2017/821; nor shall it take into account policies and other information concerning companies that do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, unless explicitly requested to do so in the application and agreed to be the Commission. 4. The Commission may consider any potential relevant assessment of the scheme carried out by credible third parties when evaluating the application even if such assessments are not included in the application. 5. The evaluation of applicable specific criteria for which the scheme relies fully or in part on policies, standards and activities by another scheme or a similar entity external to the applicant shall consider whether: (a) a credible assessment of such entities has been undertaken by the scheme and how such assessments are or will be kept relevant and updated over time; and (b) such entities are schemes which have been granted recognition of equivalence under this Regulation.