Skip to content
English
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Country Groups and Water Risk

This article explains how Simvia categorises countries and regions into risk levels using internationally recognised methodologies.

Different standards and regulatory bodies use different definitions of “high” or “low” risk. Always align your internal compliance requirements with the specific framework you follow.

1. Water Risk (WWF Water Risk Filter – WRF)

Simvia uses the WWF Water Risk Filter (WRF) to assess water-related risks.

The WRF evaluates risks at basin and regional level using three main categories:

  • Physical Risk (e.g. water scarcity, flooding, water quality)
  • Regulatory Risk (e.g. governance, regulation, infrastructure)
  • Reputational Risk (e.g. biodiversity, media scrutiny, conflict)

These are combined into one overall risk score.

The assessment considers factors such as:

  • Water scarcity
  • Flood risk
  • Water quality
  • Ecosystem status
  • Governance and regulatory effectiveness
  • Biodiversity importance
  • Media and conflict exposure

2. Water Risk Categories (Aqueduct 4.0 – WRI)

For country grouping, water risk is divided into five categories:

  • < 10% → Low risk
  • 10–20% → Medium risk
  • 20–40% → Medium–High risk
  • 40–80% → High risk
  • > 80% → Extremely high risk

These percentages are based on the methodology of the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct framework.

Water risk is aggregated across:

  • Quantity
  • Quality
  • Reputational risk
  • Overall composite index

3. Governance Risk (WGI – World Governance Indicators)

Governance risk is based on the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI).

WGI measures six dimensions:

  1. Voice and Accountability
  2. Political Stability
  3. Government Effectiveness
  4. Regulatory Quality
  5. Rule of Law
  6. Control of Corruption

Countries are classified using percentile rankings (0–100):

  • 0–60 → High risk
  • 60–80 → Medium risk
  • Above 80 → Low risk

Some frameworks define risk slightly differently, for example:

  • GLOBALG.A.P.:
    • 0–49 → High risk
    • 50–79 → Medium risk
    • 80–100 → Low risk

WGI-based country lists are updated annually.

4. AMFORI Governance Risk

AMFORI also uses WGI data to determine governance risk.

Classification:

  • Risk countries:
    • WGI average below 60, or
    • Three or more governance dimensions below 60
  • Low-risk countries:
    • WGI average above 60
    • No more than two dimensions below 60

5. SIFAV High Water Risk Regions

SIFAV (Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables) defines high water risk regions based on WWF’s Water Risk Filter.

Regions are considered high risk when the overall risk score is:

  • 3.0 or higher (High or Very High risk)

SIFAV developed a Basket of Water Standards to promote good water management in high-risk regions.

6. EU Member States (Country Group Filter)

Simvia also offers a predefined EU Member State filter.

EU countries include:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden.

Special EU areas include:

  • Åland Islands (Finland)
  • Canary Islands (Spain)
  • French overseas territories (e.g. Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion)
  • Mount Athos (Greece)

Important Notes

  • Risk categorisations are updated periodically in line with source organisations.
  • Different standards may apply different thresholds.
  • Always align your requirement rules with the framework relevant to your certification or compliance obligations.

These risk country filters help you:

  • Apply targeted requirement rules
  • Prioritise high-risk regions
  • Strengthen water and governance compliance monitoring