Zero impact on EU law. They spend millions of euros on late reports

EU advisory bodies have trouble issuing opinions on time, which limits their influence on decisions, said the European Court of Auditors (ECA). This is the Social and Economic Committee representing employers and employees and the Committee of the Regions bringing together local and regional authorities.

EU auditors from the ECA looked at two EU advisory bodies based in Brussels. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which brings together EU employers and employees, has been operating since 1957, employs 712 people, and has an annual budget of EUR 165 million. The Committee of the Regions, in turn, was established in 1994, has 587 employees and receives EUR 122 million from EU funds every year. Both institutions are supposed to shape policies by presenting their opinions to EU legislators.

According to EU auditors, these bodies have difficulty presenting their opinions in a timely manner, which makes it difficult for them to influence the decision-making process at EU level.

The EESC did not have time to spend 16%. opinions in 2019-2024 – they were ready after the vote in committees in the European Parliament took place. In the case of the Committee of the Regions, this figure was 26% in this period.

EU auditors emphasized that none of these bodies has a tool that would enable monitoring compliance with the deadlines and reporting late opinions. Both institutions also focus on the visibility of publications and the number of mentions, rather than on the impact of published opinions.

PAP asked both authorities to comment on the opinion issued by the ECA.

From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)

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