According to the European Ombudsman, the Commission should publish public consultations in all languages. This follows a complaint from a Spanish lawyer, criticising the fact that many public consultation documents are only available in English or in a few EU languages. The ombudsman also affirms that citizens cannot participate in a consultation if they do not understand it.

P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, the European Ombudsman has called on the European Commission to publish its public consultation documents in all 23 EU languages or to provide translations upon request. According the ombudsman, citizens cannot participate in a consultation if they do not understand it.

A Spanish lawyer complained on the fact that many public consultation documents are only available in English or in a limited number of EU languages, even if they are intended for the general public. In particular, in October 2010 the Spanish lawyer turned to the Ombudsman, complaining that a public consultation on financial sector taxation was only published in English, French, and German. He also submitted other examples of consultations, which were only published in English, including consultations concerning a new partnership to help SMEs, the reduction in the use of plastic bags published in May 2011, and the freedom of movement for workers. The complainant argued that the Commission's language policy was arbitrary and contrary to the principles of openness, good administration, and non-discrimination.

Commission argued that the principle of multilingualism in consultations depends on time constraints and available resources. According to the Commission, its 2002 Communication on public consultations does not require it to publish consultation papers in all EU languages. The Ombudsman did not accept the Commission’s arguments. According to the Ombudsman, multilingualism is essential for citizens to exercise their right to participate in the democratic life of the EU, which is guaranteed by the Lisbon Treaty. He concluded that the Commission's restrictive language policy constitutes maladministration and called on the institution to publish its public consultation documents in all 23 EU languages or to provide translations upon request.