Country: World Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Please refer to the attached file. About the toolWhy was this tool created? The mission of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) is to facilitate and support the activities of EU Member States and associated countries (EU+ countries (1 )) in the implementation of the Common European Asylum System. In accordance with the EUAA’s overall aim of promoting the correct and effective implementation of the CEAS and of enabling convergence, the EUAA develops common operational standards and indicators, guidelines and practical tools.The present document builds on the EASO Guidance on Asylum Procedure: Operational standards and indicators which was developed to support the EU+ States in the practical implementation of key provisions of Directive 2013/32/EU (APD (recast)) to achieve fair and effective asylum procedures.It offers guidance to national authorities on assessing the quality of the asylum procedure in their national context. It accompanies an electronic Tool that will allow to perform the selfassessment with improved efficiency.How was this tool developed? The tool was created by experts from across the EU+ (2 ), with valuable input from the European Commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (3 ). Its development was facilitated and coordinated by the EUAA. Before its finalisation, a consultation was carried out with all EU+ countries through the EUAA Asylum Processes Network. The EUAA would like to extend its thanks to the members of the working group who drafted the flat version of this Tool.Who should use this tool? The primary target group of the tool those involved in quality assurance activities, as well as decision- and policymakers of national asylum authorities. In addition, the tool can also provide guidance to legal officers, supervisors and managers. In addition, this guide is useful for any other person working or involved in the field of international protection in the EU context.How does this tool relate to other EUAA tools? The tool should be used in conjunction with the EASO Guidance on Asylum Procedure: Operational standards and indicators (4 ) and with the other relevant practical guides and tools that are publicly available on the EUAA’s website at https://euaa.europa.eu/practical-tools-and-guides.How does this tool relate to national legislation and practice? This is a soft convergence tool. It is not legally binding and reflects the commonly agreed standards and indicators that are included in the EASO Guidance on Asylum Procedure: Operational standards and indicators.