EU performance in focus: auditors unveil their upcoming priorities

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) today published its work programme, listing the institution’s audit priorities for the next two years. The ECA is committed to continuing its independent and objective audit work on the crucial issues and challenges facing Europe, in order to safeguard the EU’s financial interests and ensure that good use is being made of taxpayers’ money.

The EU and its member states have demonstrated their remarkable ability to respond swiftly, and with unprecedented measures, to a series of recent crises. Their response encompasses a range of policies that are supported by substantial funding from the traditional EU budget and the €800 billion “NextGenerationEU” (NGEU) initiative.

“While the EU budget continues to grow in scope and complexity, the European Court of Auditors is dedicated to fulfilling its role in shaping the EU’s financial landscape”, said ECA President Tony Murphy. “Our work programme for 2024 and beyond reflects our commitment to focusing our work on issues that directly impact the well-being of EU citizens.”

The ECA’s work programme for the next two years contains a list of 73 audit tasks and reviews assessing EU action in strategic priority areas. For example, a dozen topics directly concern the NGEU pandemic recovery package, mainly covering Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) support for labour markets, public administration, SMEs and the green transition. Under the headline “climate change, the environment and natural resources”, the work programme lists 12 audits on various topics, such as security of gas supplies, fighting hunger, organic farming, seawater quality, and forest wildfires. The auditors will also examine key issues regarding the competitiveness of the EU economy, such as the microchip industry, investments in artificial intelligence, the recognition of professional qualifications within the EU, and commuter transport.

The ECA will also look into the EU’s external action, such as its support for refugees in Turkey, migrant integration in EU countries, funding for NGOs, and military mobility. As regards fiscal policies and EU public finances, the auditors will specifically look at the implementation of the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, budget flexibility in times of crisis, and the fight against tax fraud.

Many other relevant EU topics will also be covered, from assessing food labelling and road safety measures, to the effectiveness of the rule of law and the supply of pharmaceutical products.

By the end of 2023, the ECA will have published 35 audit reports and reviews addressing key issues that have an impact on the future of the EU. These include topics on the EU’s climate and energy targets, the circular economy, animal transport and soil protection. Other publications focused on the EU’s industrial policy on batteries, the deployment of offshore renewables and RRF performance, to name but a few.