Protecting the financial interests of the Union: The role of administrative investigations

Briefing 28-03-2013

The European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) is the EU body responsible for administrative investigations to fight illegal activities detrimental to the EU's financial interests. Since its creation in 1999, OLAF has completed 3 500 investigations, which have led to the recovery of EU resources worth €1.1 billion (excluding financial penalties). A proposal to reform OLAF is currently on the table. This aims to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the Office, while maintaining its independence for investigations.