This own-initiative inquiry examined how EU agencies manage ‘revolving door’ cases involving senior and/or managerial staff, as well as members of their governing bodies, who take up positions in the private sector after leaving their agency.

The Ombudsman conducted a thorough review of the policies implemented by 15 EU agencies and inspected 54 case files from nine of those agencies. Additionally, the inquiry team met with representatives of five agencies to clarify specific issues.

The Ombudsman found that while some EU agencies have adopted particularly detailed and comprehensive guidance on revolving door cases, significant variations exist among agencies in key areas. These include how agencies handle late or incomplete notifications of post-service activities; the nature and scope of mitigating measures imposed; how compliance with such measures is monitored; and the training provided to staff on their ethical obligations.

The inquiry also revealed marked differences in the rules governing the post-mandate activities of governing body members (such as those on Management Boards or Boards of Supervisors). Only a few of the agencies examined had adopted policies to regulate such activities.

To help EU agencies further strengthen their rules on revolving doors, the Ombudsman issued a series of good-practice guidelines. She also confirmed that her office would apply these same guidelines in any future inquiries into specific revolving-door cases.