The European Court of Auditors’ follow-up audit of 2011 (Special Report Nº 2/2011) set out to establish the action taken to implement the recommendations of Special Report Nº 1/2005 on the management of European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The audit concluded that from the recommendations of the 2005 report, three of the recommendations had not been accepted, two recommendations were implemented, while the remaining twelve recommendations were implemented to varying degrees.

Among the recommendations was that OLAF should increase the number and speed of investigations by increasing the proportion of time spent on its core investigative function, and that the contribution the intelligence units make to investigative work should be enhanced. In order to improve planning and supervision so that investigations are implemented in a timely and efficient manner, the Commission should simplify and consolidate anti-fraud legislation, while OLAF should strengthen its cooperation and partnership with Eurojust.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is charged with fighting fraud and other illegal activities detrimental to the EU budget. OLAF is part of the European Commission, has investigative autonomy, employs about 500 staff, and its annual expenditure amounts to some 50 million euro. The Court reiterated that its previous recommendations remain to a large extent valid and efforts should continue to ensure their full implementation.

The Special Report Nº 2/2011 can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the European Court of Auditors' website.