(17)The institutions are required to document the specific definitions of default and loss used internally and ensure consistency with the definitions set out in Regulation (EU) No 575/2013. When assessing this consistency, the competent authorities should verify that institutions have clear policies that specify when an obligor or facility is classified as being in default. These policies need to be consistent with the general principles regarding the identification of default. The EBA has adopted Guidelines on the application of the definition of default under Article 178 of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013. These policies should also be embedded into the institutions’ risk management processes and systems since Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 requires in particular that internal ratings, i.e. including the assignment to a default rating grade, play an essential role in the risk management and other internal processes of an institution, which should also be the subject of verification by the competent authorities.