Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/1163 laying down the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (Statute of the European Ombudsman)

Summary:

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/1163 - formally adopted by the European Parliament on 24 June 2021 - laying down the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the European Ombudsman's duties (also known as the Statute of the European Ombudsman).

Further information:

The aim of the European Ombudsman is to help to uncover maladministration in the activities of the European Union's institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (with the exception of the CJEU acting in its judicial role). Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom originally established the conditions under which the Ombudsman works. This draft law aims to broaden the mandate and introduce powers of initiative, and an overall revision of a role which stayed unaltered since before the Treaty of Lisbon. It entails the repeal of Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom.

The European Parliament has the exclusive right of initiative in this area, and the adoption requires consent from the Council of the European Union. The draft regulation was tabled by the Parliament's plenary on 12 February 2019 following the adoption of a resolution. It was transmitted to the Council on 25 March. Informal consultations were held between the institutions and an agreement was reached on 21 May 2021. The Parliament's relevant committee approved the revised text on 9 June and the Council formally delivered its consent on 18 June. The plenary of the European Parliament formally endorsed the draft regulation on 23 June. The Act was formally signed on 24 June 2021 and published in the Official Journal on 16 July 2021.

Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: At a Glance, June 2021: Reform of the European Ombudsman's Statute https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2021)690635

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Official

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (2019/0900(APP)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2019/0900(APP)

Official Website of the EU's European Ombudsman https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/home

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Resolution on Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (2018/2080(INL)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2018/2080(INL)

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Draft regulation of the European Parliament laying down the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (Statute of the European Ombudsman) and repealing Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom (2021/2053(INL)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2021/2053(INL)

EUR-LEX: COM(2019)553: Commission Opinion on a draft Regulation laying down the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman's duties (Statute of the European Ombudsman) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2019:553:FIN

EU European Ombudsman: Address to AFCO hearing on EO statute revision (11 July 2018) https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/speech/en/99163

European Parliament: Press Release, 25/05/2021: Time for a new statute for the European Ombudsman https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210523IPR04614/

EU European Ombudsman: Press Release, 09/06/2021: New statute: Ombudsman welcomes legal strengthening of her Office https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press-release/en/142792

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 18/06/2021: The Council gives its consent to the revised statute of the Ombudsman to further guarantee its independence https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/06/18/the-council-gives-its-consent-to-the-revised-statute-of-the-ombudsman-to-further-guarantee-its-independence/

European Commission: Press Release, 23/06/2021: European Ombudsman: new rules to protect Europeans from maladministration https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_3173

Portuguese Council Presidency: News, 24/06/2021: European Ombudsman: new rules to protect Europeans from maladministration https://www.2021portugal.eu/en/news/european-ombudsman-new-rules-to-protect-europeans-from-maladministration/

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