The case concerned the Research Executive Agency’s handling of several requests for access to documents made in the context of its assessment of an EU-funded project. The complainant, who represents a consortium having participated in the project, was dissatisfied that the Agency disclosed only redacted versions of the documents and criticised the Agency’s procedural conduct.

The Ombudsman found that the Agency’s handling of the requests was satisfactory both as regards the procedural aspects and the justification provided for partial disclosure only.

The infringement complaint 1. In October 2015, the complainant, a Finnish national, lodged an infringement complaint with the European Commission arguing potential incompatibilities with EU law in Finland concerning the Aarhus Directive[1] and access to environmental information. In particular, he referred to the actions of a limited company operating in the field of water supply, which is jointly...

The case concerned the European Commission’s refusal to disclose several documents forming part of files concerning its state aid investigations.

The Ombudsman examined the documents in question and considered that the Commission’s position is in line with the current case-law of the Court of Justice. Accordingly, the Ombudsman closed the case considering that there was no maladministration.

The case concerned the European Commission’s decision to recover funds from the complainant - a company having implemented an EU project in Namibia.

While the Ombudsman was inquiring into the fairness of the Commission’s decision, the Commission approached both the complainant and the government of Namibia to find a solution. Since Namibia accepted partial financial responsibility, the Commission paid to the complainant nearly the whole amount recovered.

Since the complainant appeared satisfied with this outcome, the Ombudsman found that the Commission had settled the complaint and closed the inquiry.

The complaint to the European Commission 1. On 17 April 2018, the complainant submitted an infringement complaint[1] to the European Commission concerning a method of calculation of the special tax on certain road vehicles in Croatia[2], which, according to the complainant, violates Article 30 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)[3]. 2. On 9 April 2019, the Commission sent...

Background to the complaint 1. A number of former interim staff, employed by a temporary work agency but working at the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), filed a complaint with the Lithuanian State Labour Inspectorate (Inspectorate) for infringement of the national labour law and the principle of equal treatment. The Inspectorate sided with the complainants and awarded them compensati...

Dear Mr X, On 5 July 2019, you submitted, on behalf of the Association of Staff with a Disability in the European Commission and the EC Disability Support Group, a complaint to the European Ombudsman. It concerned the denial by the European Commission[1] of your request to participate through a video conference in the plenary session of the Management Committee for Sickness Insurance (hereinafter ...

Dear Mr X, On 23 July 2019, you submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Commission concerning the above issue. The Ombudsman has asked me to deal with your complaint and reply to you on her behalf. After a careful analysis of all the information you provided with your complaint, we have decided to close the inquiry with the following conclusion: The European Commission...

Dear Mr X, On 20 June 2019, you submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Commission concerning the above subject matter. Given the circumstances of your complaint, I very much regret having to inform you that the European Ombudsman cannot help you. Having carefully considered the information provided by you, including the Commission’s reply to your administrative compla...

Dear Mr X, On 8 July 2019, you submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) concerning the above issue. The Ombudsman has asked me to deal with your complaint and reply to you on her behalf. After a careful analysis of all the information you provided with your complaint, we have decided to close the inquiry with the following concl...