2014 discharge: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Derek VAUGHAN (S&D, UK) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for the financial year 2014.

The parliamentary committee calls on the European Parliament to grant the Director of the Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the agency’s budget for the financial year 2014.

Noting that the Court of Auditors issued a statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions for the financial year 2014, Members call on Parliament to approve the closure of the Agency’s accounts. They made, however, a number of recommendations that needed to be taken into account when the discharge is granted, in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

·         Agency’s financial statements: Members note the final budget of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for the financial year 2014 was EUR 17 256 026, representing a decrease of 1.17 % compared to 2013.

·         Budget and financial management: Members note that the budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2014 resulted in the budget implementation rate of 98.65 %, and that the payment appropriations execution rate was 75.59 %. They note, however, that the level of committed appropriations carried over to 2015 for administrative expenditure was at EUR 443 412 or 34 % of this budget heading.

Members also made a series of observations regarding the prevention and management of conflicts of interest, payment transfers, as well as on contract award, recruitment and internal audit and control procedures.

Members note that the Agency’s move to its new premises was completed late in 2013 but fully implemented in 2014 and welcomes the fact that the move has resulted in substantial savings on rent. They welcome the fact that the seat agreement with the Spanish authorities secures the Agency’s home in the long term.

Lastly, Members note that 2014 was the first year of the of the Agency’s new multiannual strategic programme for the years 2014 to 2020. They appreciate the positive indications regarding the Agency's achievements during the first year of the strategy in regard to its priority areas.