Forms of evaluation
Article 4
1. Evaluations may take any of the following forms: (a) first-time evaluations; (b) periodic evaluations; (c) unannounced evaluations; (d) thematic evaluations. 2. The Commission shall organise first-time evaluations following a Member State’s declaration of readiness to be evaluated. 3. The Commission may organise unannounced evaluations, in particular: (a) to evaluate the application of the Schengen acquis applicable at internal borders; (b) when it becomes aware of emerging or systemic problems that could potentially have a significant negative impact on the functioning of the area without internal border control, including circumstances that would constitute a threat to public policy or internal security within that area; (c) when it has grounds to consider that a Member State is seriously neglecting its obligations under the Schengen acquis , including when it has grounds to consider that there are serious violations of fundamental rights. 4. The Commission may organise thematic evaluations, in particular to assess the implementation of significant legislative changes as they start to apply and of new initiatives, or to assess issues across policy areas or practices of Member States facing similar challenges.