# C_2006312EN.01006001.xml

| 19.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 312/60 |
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19.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 312/60

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REPORT

REPORT

on the annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2005 together with the Centre's replies

(2006/C 312/11)

CONTENTS

| 1-2 | INTRODUCTION |
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1-2

| 3-6 | STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE |
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3-6

| 7-14 | OBSERVATIONS |
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7-14

Tables 1 to 4

The Centre's replies

The Centre's replies

INTRODUCTION

| 1. | The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (hereinafter the Centre) was established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 (1). Its core mandate is to serve the development of vocational training at Community level. In order to achieve this objective, it has the task of compiling and disseminating documentation on vocational training systems. |
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1.

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (hereinafter the Centre) was established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 (1). Its core mandate is to serve the development of vocational training at Community level. In order to achieve this objective, it has the task of compiling and disseminating documentation on vocational training systems.

1

| 2. | The Centre's competences and activities are summarised in Table 1. Key information from the financial statements drawn up by the Centre for the financial year 2005 is presented in Tables 2, 3 and 4. |
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2.

The Centre's competences and activities are summarised in Table 1. Key information from the financial statements drawn up by the Centre for the financial year 2005 is presented in Tables 2, 3 and 4.

Table 1

Tables 2, 3 and 4

STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE

| 3. | This statement is addressed to the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with Article 185(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (2); it was drawn up following an examination of the Centre's accounts, as required by Article 248 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. |
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3.

This statement is addressed to the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with Article 185(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (2); it was drawn up following an examination of the Centre's accounts, as required by Article 248 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

2

| 4. | The Centre's accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2005 (3) were drawn up by its Director, pursuant to Article 12 a of Regulation (EEC) No 337/75, and sent to the Court, which is required to provide a statement concerning their reliability and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. |
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4.

The Centre's accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2005 (3) were drawn up by its Director, pursuant to Article 12 a of Regulation (EEC) No 337/75, and sent to the Court, which is required to provide a statement concerning their reliability and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions.

3

| 5. | The Court conducted its audit in accordance with its policies and standards, which are based on international auditing standards that have been adapted to the Community context. The audit was planned and performed to obtain reasonable assurance that the accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions are legal and regular. |
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5.

The Court conducted its audit in accordance with its policies and standards, which are based on international auditing standards that have been adapted to the Community context. The audit was planned and performed to obtain reasonable assurance that the accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions are legal and regular.

| 6. | The Court has thus obtained a reasonable basis for the following statement: |
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6.

The Court has thus obtained a reasonable basis for the following statement:

Reliability of the accountsThe Centre's accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2005 are, in all material respects, reliable.Legality and regularity of the underlying transactionsSubject to the reservation concerning the situation described in paragraph 13, the transactions underlying the Centre's annual accounts, taken as a whole, are legal and regular.The Court would also like to draw attention to the observation in paragraph 11.

Reliability of the accountsThe Centre's accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2005 are, in all material respects, reliable.Legality and regularity of the underlying transactionsSubject to the reservation concerning the situation described in paragraph 13, the transactions underlying the Centre's annual accounts, taken as a whole, are legal and regular.The Court would also like to draw attention to the observation in paragraph 11.

OBSERVATIONS

| 7. | The Centre's budget for the financial year 2005 shows a utilisation rate of 90 % of commitment appropriations and approximately 85 % of payment appropriations. However, the appropriations for operating activities were under-utilised (cancellations of 15 % of commitment appropriations, 20 % of payment appropriations and 15 % of appropriations carried over), in particular after the reorganisation of the procedures for awarding contracts. The Centre must fine-tune the programming of its work and ensure that it is monitored more rigorously. In this connection, the Court notes that activity-based management has not been introduced, even though the Centre's financial regulation provides for this form of management with a view to improved performance monitoring. |
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7.

The Centre's budget for the financial year 2005 shows a utilisation rate of 90 % of commitment appropriations and approximately 85 % of payment appropriations. However, the appropriations for operating activities were under-utilised (cancellations of 15 % of commitment appropriations, 20 % of payment appropriations and 15 % of appropriations carried over), in particular after the reorganisation of the procedures for awarding contracts. The Centre must fine-tune the programming of its work and ensure that it is monitored more rigorously. In this connection, the Court notes that activity-based management has not been introduced, even though the Centre's financial regulation provides for this form of management with a view to improved performance monitoring.

| 8. | The accounting software (FIBUS) used by the Centre does not allow expired commitments to be blocked and the procedure for the electronic signing of payment orders does not comply with the provisions currently in force. Operations cannot easily be traced within the FIBUS system. The Centre should remedy the shortcomings identified and consider replacing its present accounting software as soon as possible with the new system proposed by the Commission for the Agencies. |
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8.

The accounting software (FIBUS) used by the Centre does not allow expired commitments to be blocked and the procedure for the electronic signing of payment orders does not comply with the provisions currently in force. Operations cannot easily be traced within the FIBUS system. The Centre should remedy the shortcomings identified and consider replacing its present accounting software as soon as possible with the new system proposed by the Commission for the Agencies.

| 9. | Some of the accounting officer's duties are performed by departments for which the authorising officer is responsible. Closure adjustments of around 700 000 euro were thus made in the accounts on the initiative of the authorising departments, but these departments did not document them. Application of the principle of the segregation of the duties of authorising officer and accounting officer would have prevented such a situation. |
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9.

Some of the accounting officer's duties are performed by departments for which the authorising officer is responsible. Closure adjustments of around 700 000 euro were thus made in the accounts on the initiative of the authorising departments, but these departments did not document them. Application of the principle of the segregation of the duties of authorising officer and accounting officer would have prevented such a situation.

| 10. | The Centre has neither made a risk analysis to date, nor defined the nature and frequency of ex post checks, and there are no descriptions of the management procedures and internal control systems. In 2005, the accounting officer had still not validated the financial information systems. |
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10.

The Centre has neither made a risk analysis to date, nor defined the nature and frequency of ex post checks, and there are no descriptions of the management procedures and internal control systems. In 2005, the accounting officer had still not validated the financial information systems.

ex post

| 11. | In 2000, the Centre set up an appeals committee to deal with staff complaints. In one case, this committee, acting beyond its powers, granted allowances that were not envisaged in the rules in force. In order to ensure that there are no more cases of this kind in future, the Director should reserve the power to revise and, if necessary, revoke these decisions. |
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11.

In 2000, the Centre set up an appeals committee to deal with staff complaints. In one case, this committee, acting beyond its powers, granted allowances that were not envisaged in the rules in force. In order to ensure that there are no more cases of this kind in future, the Director should reserve the power to revise and, if necessary, revoke these decisions.

| 12. | In 2005, an important management post was filled via an internal selection procedure when an external procedure would have provided a wider range of candidates. Actually only one candidate participated in the selection and was appointed to the post. Moreover, two of the criteria adopted for the evaluation of applications (4) were not applied strictly enough to ensure the quality of the selection in question. The Court reiterates the observation made in its previous annual report on the need for the Centre to tighten up its recruitment procedures. |
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12.

In 2005, an important management post was filled via an internal selection procedure when an external procedure would have provided a wider range of candidates. Actually only one candidate participated in the selection and was appointed to the post. Moreover, two of the criteria adopted for the evaluation of applications (4) were not applied strictly enough to ensure the quality of the selection in question. The Court reiterates the observation made in its previous annual report on the need for the Centre to tighten up its recruitment procedures.

4

| 13. | The Court examined six contracts that were concluded in the financial year 2005. All but one were affected by irregularities (5). In two of the cases examined, the competition rules had not been observed (6). The Court takes note of the steps taken by the Centre during the last quarter of 2005 to remedy the weaknesses found in its organisation and tender procedures. |
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13.

The Court examined six contracts that were concluded in the financial year 2005. All but one were affected by irregularities (5). In two of the cases examined, the competition rules had not been observed (6). The Court takes note of the steps taken by the Centre during the last quarter of 2005 to remedy the weaknesses found in its organisation and tender procedures.

5

6

| 14. | The Centre has set up 17 internet and intranet sites using different types of technology. The management of these sites and the IT systems supporting them is fragmented, i.e. some systems are managed by the IT department, others by operational departments and others, lastly, by consultants. This fragmentation engenders technical risks and excessive costs. |
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14.

The Centre has set up 17 internet and intranet sites using different types of technology. The management of these sites and the IT systems supporting them is fragmented, i.e. some systems are managed by the IT department, others by operational departments and others, lastly, by consultants. This fragmentation engenders technical risks and excessive costs.

This report was adopted by the Court of Auditors in Luxembourg at its meeting of 28 September 2006.

For the Court of Auditors

Hubert WEBER

President

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(1)  OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1.

1

(2)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

2

(3)  These accounts were drawn up on 30 June 2006 and received by the Court on 4 July 2006.

3

(4)  Studies (Philosophy and international relations) unrelated to the post and professional experience directly related to the post 50 % less than was required in the vacancy notice; in addition, the professional experience of the person appointed was only partly related to the tasks to be performed.

4

(5)  Failure to justify the chosen procedure or say why the tenderers invited to submit tenders were selected, plus inadequate documentation thereof.

5

(6)  Translation services (376 000 euro) and IT services (146 000 euro).

6

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Table 1

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Thessaloniki)

| Areas of Community competence deriving from the Treaty | Competence of the Centre as specified in Articles 2 and 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975 | Governance | Resources made available to the Centre in 2005 (2004) | Products and services supplied in 2005 (2004) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Community implements a vocational training policy to support and supplement the action of the Member States as regards the content and organisation of vocational training.
  Action aims to:






  — | facilitate adaptation to industrial changes, in particular through vocational training and retraining, |

Areas of Community competence deriving from the Treaty

Competence of the Centre as specified in Articles 2 and 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975

Governance

Resources made available to the Centre in 2005 (2004)

Products and services supplied in 2005 (2004)

The Community implements a vocational training policy to support and supplement the action of the Member States as regards the content and organisation of vocational training.

Action aims to:

—

facilitate adaptation to industrial changes, in particular through vocational training and retraining,

| — | improve initial and continuing vocational training in order to facilitate vocational integration and reintegration into the labour market, |
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—

improve initial and continuing vocational training in order to facilitate vocational integration and reintegration into the labour market,

| — | facilitate access to vocational training and encourage mobility of instructors and trainees and particularly young people, |
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—

facilitate access to vocational training and encourage mobility of instructors and trainees and particularly young people,

| — | stimulate cooperation on training between educational or vocational training establishments and firms, |
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—

stimulate cooperation on training between educational or vocational training establishments and firms,

| — | develop exchanges of information and experience on issues common to the training systems of the Member States. |
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—

develop exchanges of information and experience on issues common to the training systems of the Member States.

(From Article 150 of the Treaty)

The Centre's mandate:

In its capacity as a European Union reference centre for vocational training and education, Cedefop provides political decision-makers, researchers and professionals with information aimed at developing a clearer understanding of current trends that will thus enable them to reach more soundly based decisions with a view to future action.

Cedefop assists the European Commission in promoting and developing vocational training and education at Community level.

Tasks:

| — | to compile selected documentation and produce a data analysis, |
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—

to compile selected documentation and produce a data analysis,

| — | to contribute to research development and coordination, |
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—

to contribute to research development and coordination,

| — | to utilise and disseminate relevant information, |
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—

to utilise and disseminate relevant information,

| — | to encourage and support a concerted approach to matters relating to the development of vocational training, |
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—

to encourage and support a concerted approach to matters relating to the development of vocational training,

| — | to provide a forum for a broad and diverse public. |
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—

to provide a forum for a broad and diverse public.

1. Management Board

Per Member State:

| — | one Government representative, |
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—

one Government representative,

| — | one representative of employers' organisations, |
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—

one representative of employers' organisations,

| — | one representative of employees' organisations. |
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—

one representative of employees' organisations.

Three members representing the Commission, and observers from the associated countries (Norway and Iceland).

2. Director

Appointed by the Commission from a list of candidates submitted by the Management Board; carries out the decisions of the Management Board and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Centre.

3. Internal control

Commission's Internal Audit Service.

4. External audit

European Court of Auditors.

5. Discharge

Parliament, on the Council's recommendation.

Final budget:

17,1 million euro (16,6 million euro)

Community subsidy: 96 % (99 %)

Staff numbers at 31 December:

Number of posts in establishment plan: 91 (88)

Posts occupied: 85 (81)

Other staff: contract staff, seconded national experts.

Total staff: 123

assigned to the following duties:

operational: 85

administrative: 33

mixed: 5.

Conferences and seminars: 90 (90) with an average of 24 participants.

Studies: 26 (2004: 55 (not comparable)). Studies on the same project with various contributors (under different contracts) have been counted as one study.

Projects: 29 (2 of which administrative) plus 20 virtual communities (1 of which administrative) (2004: 38 (not comparable)).

Participation in:

Maastricht follow-up, Education and Training 2010 programme, Leonardo da Vinci programme, social partners' joint action framework, Advisory Committee for Vocational Training, Directors-General for Vocational Training, Education and Training 2010 Coordination Group.

Publications: 60 (62).

3 issues of Cedefop info (3),

| 1. | 4 issues of the European journal on vocational training (3). |
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1.

4 issues of the European journal on vocational training (3).

| 2. | Circulation of documents: | 8 582 (10 293) on request, |
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2.

Circulation of documents:

8 582 (10 293) on request,

| | 2 462 (2 034) subscriptions to the European journal, |
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2 462 (2 034) subscriptions to the European journal,

| | 7 493 (8 460) subscriptions to Cedefop info. |
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7 493 (8 460) subscriptions to Cedefop info.

Electronic publications:

| — | 3 160 (2 427) subscriptions to ETV newsletter, |
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—

3 160 (2 427) subscriptions to ETV newsletter,

| — | 60 440 (53 167) registered ETV users, |
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—

60 440 (53 167) registered ETV users,

| — | 3 366 490 (3 306 920) ETV page views. |
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—

3 366 490 (3 306 920) ETV page views.

| 3. | 7 553 registered members in the virtual communities.
  762 (730) participants in the study visits programme. |
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3.

7 553 registered members in the virtual communities.

762 (730) participants in the study visits programme.

Source: Information supplied by the Centre.

EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Source: Information supplied by the Centre — These tables summarise the data provided by the Centre in its annual accounts.

Table 2

Implementation of the budget for the financial year 2005

| (1000 euro) |
| --- |
| Revenue | Expenditure |
| Source of revenue | Revenue entered in the final budget for the financial year | Revenue received | Allocation of expenditure | Final budget appropriations for the financial year | Appropriations carried over from the previous financial year | Appropriations for the financial year and carried over from the previous financial year |
| entered | committed | paid | carried over | cancelled | available | paid | cancelled | available | committed | paid | carried over | cancelled |
| Community subsidies | 16 418 | 16 418 | Title I
  Staff (NDA) | 9 468 | 9 075 | 8 862 | 213 | 393 | 466 | 395 | 72 | 9 934 | 9 541 | 9 257 | 213 | 465 |
| Title II
  Administration (NDA) | 1 372 | 1 158 | 865 | 334 | 214 | 542 | 503 | 39 | 1 914 | 1 700 | 1 368 | 334 | 253 |
| Other revenue | 140 | 36 | Title III
  Operating activities (DA) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| — CA | 5 578 | 4 774 | 0 | 71 | 804 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 578 | 4 774 | 0 | 71 | 804 |
| — PA | 5 718 | | 4 585 | 0 | 1 133 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 718 | 0 | 4 585 | 0 | 1 133 |
| Assigned revenue (Phare) | 535 | 535 | Assigned revenue (Phare and others) | 535 | 283 | 68 | 467 | 0 | 312 | 175 | 93 | 847 | 596 | 243 | 467 | 93 |
| Total | 17 093 | 16 989 | Total CA | 16 953 | 15 290 | 0 | 1 085 | 1 411 | 1 320 | 0 | 204 | 18 273 | 16 611 | 0 | 1 085 | 1 615 |
| Total PA | 17 093 | 0 | 14 381 | 1 014 | 1 740 | 1 320 | 1 073 | 204 | 18 413 | 0 | 15 543 | 1 014 | 1 944 |
| NDA | : | non-differentiated appropriations (commitment appropriations are equal in amount to payment appropriations). |
| DA | : | differentiated appropriations (commitment appropriations may differ in amount from payment appropriations). |
| CA | : | commitment appropriations in the context of differentiated appropriations. |
| PA | : | payment appropriations in the context of differentiated appropriations. |

(1000 euro)

Revenue

Expenditure

Source of revenue

Revenue entered in the final budget for the financial year

Revenue received

Allocation of expenditure

Final budget appropriations for the financial year

Appropriations carried over from the previous financial year

Appropriations for the financial year and carried over from the previous financial year

entered

committed

paid

carried over

cancelled

available

paid

cancelled

available

committed

paid

carried over

cancelled

Community subsidies

16 418

16 418

Title I

Staff (NDA)

9 468

9 075

8 862

213

393

466

395

72

9 934

9 541

9 257

213

465

Title II

Administration (NDA)

1 372

1 158

865

334

214

542

503

39

1 914

1 700

1 368

334

253

Other revenue

140

36

Title III

Operating activities (DA)

— CA

5 578

4 774

0

71

804

0

0

0

5 578

4 774

0

71

804

— PA

5 718

4 585

0

1 133

0

0

0

5 718

0

4 585

0

1 133

Assigned revenue (Phare)

535

535

Assigned revenue (Phare and others)

535

283

68

467

0

312

175

93

847

596

243

467

93

Total

17 093

16 989

Total CA

16 953

15 290

0

1 085

1 411

1 320

0

204

18 273

16 611

0

1 085

1 615

Total PA

17 093

0

14 381

1 014

1 740

1 320

1 073

204

18 413

0

15 543

1 014

1 944

NDA

:

non-differentiated appropriations (commitment appropriations are equal in amount to payment appropriations).

DA

:

differentiated appropriations (commitment appropriations may differ in amount from payment appropriations).

CA

:

commitment appropriations in the context of differentiated appropriations.

PA

:

payment appropriations in the context of differentiated appropriations.

Table 3

Revenue and expenditure account for the financial year 2005 (1)

| (1000 euro) |
| --- |
| | 2005 |
| Operating revenue |
| Community subsidies | 15 020 |
| Other subsidies/revenue | 290 |
| Total (a) | 15 310 |
| Operating expenditure |
| Staff | 9 091 |
| Administration | 1 962 |
| Operating activities | 5 021 |
| Total (b) | 16 074 |
| Operating result (c = a – b) | – 764 |
| Other income (d) | 0 |
| Other expenses (e) | 4 |
| Economic result (f = c + d – e) | – 768 |

(1000 euro)

2005

Operating revenue

Community subsidies

15 020

Other subsidies/revenue

290

Total (a)

15 310

Operating expenditure

Staff

9 091

Administration

1 962

Operating activities

5 021

Total (b)

16 074

Operating result (c = a – b)

– 764

Other income (d)

0

Other expenses (e)

4

Economic result (f = c + d – e)

– 768

Table 4

Balance sheet at 31 December 2005 and 2004 (2)

| (1000 euro) |
| --- |
| | 2005 | 2004 |
| Assets |
| Fixed assets | 5 359 | 5 702 |
| Receivables | 369 | 182 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3 344 | 1 948 |
| Total | 9 072 | 7 832 |
| Liabilities |
| Cumulative outturn for previous financial years | 5 856 | 5 856 |
| Result for the year | – 768 | 0 |
| Current liabilities | 3 984 | 1 976 |
| Total | 9 072 | 7 832 |

(1000 euro)

2005

2004

Assets

Fixed assets

5 359

5 702

Receivables

369

182

Cash and cash equivalents

3 344

1 948

Total

9 072

7 832

Liabilities

Cumulative outturn for previous financial years

5 856

5 856

Result for the year

– 768

0

Current liabilities

3 984

1 976

Total

9 072

7 832

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(1)  The data for the financial year 2004 are not presented because, following the change in accounting methods, they cannot be compared with the data for the financial year 2005.

(2)  The data for the financial year 2004 have been restated for the purpose of comparison with those for the financial year 2005.

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THE CENTRE'S REPLIES

| 7. | The Centre takes note of the Court's observation. In the last quarter of 2005, the Centre took prompt measures to ensure the strict application of the rules governing procurement procedures, and it strictly limited the use of negotiated procedures. Those measures and the weaknesses of the procurement service affected the level of budget execution. While ensuring the regularity of procedures, the Centre has progressed in improving its planning and will introduce activity based budgeting. |
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7.

The Centre takes note of the Court's observation. In the last quarter of 2005, the Centre took prompt measures to ensure the strict application of the rules governing procurement procedures, and it strictly limited the use of negotiated procedures. Those measures and the weaknesses of the procurement service affected the level of budget execution. While ensuring the regularity of procedures, the Centre has progressed in improving its planning and will introduce activity based budgeting.

| 8. | The Centre is considering replacing Fibus with the software proposed by the Commission. However, ABAC, is still in the pilot phase. The Centre is following developments closely through its participation in ICTAC, CSS and the agencies' accountants network. |
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8.

The Centre is considering replacing Fibus with the software proposed by the Commission. However, ABAC, is still in the pilot phase. The Centre is following developments closely through its participation in ICTAC, CSS and the agencies' accountants network.

| 9. | Steps have already been taken to reorganise the Finance/Procurement Service and this will also ensure the clearer separation of functions called for by the Court. The Centre is aware that the correct procedure is for the authorising officers (by delegation) to propose the adjustments in question to the accountant. The Centre is working to improve the situation. |
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9.

Steps have already been taken to reorganise the Finance/Procurement Service and this will also ensure the clearer separation of functions called for by the Court. The Centre is aware that the correct procedure is for the authorising officers (by delegation) to propose the adjustments in question to the accountant. The Centre is working to improve the situation.

| 10. | Validation of parts of the financial system took place at the beginning of 2006. The documentation of procedures will need to be completed before further progress can be made on the validation of the system. The Centre will implement regular risk assessment. This will be supported by the Internal Auditor whose recruitment is currently under way. |
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10.

Validation of parts of the financial system took place at the beginning of 2006. The documentation of procedures will need to be completed before further progress can be made on the validation of the system. The Centre will implement regular risk assessment. This will be supported by the Internal Auditor whose recruitment is currently under way.

| 11. | The Centre takes note of the remarks of the Court. The appeals committee has been established by the Governing Board as an organ distinct from the director for dealing with complaints to increase objectivity. This has been a valuable tool and increased the trust of staff. The Centre considers that it is correct in law and that it is a reasonable use of the power to designate appointing authorities which belongs to every organisation under the staff regulation. The Court refers to one individual case: the Appeals Committee gave a fully reasoned decision in which is explained that it was awarding a sum ex aequo et bono. This is frequently done by the Community Courts and by the Appointing Authorities of the other institutions. However, the Centre has requested an official opinion and assessment by the legal services of the European Commission. |
| --- | --- |

11.

The Centre takes note of the remarks of the Court. The appeals committee has been established by the Governing Board as an organ distinct from the director for dealing with complaints to increase objectivity. This has been a valuable tool and increased the trust of staff. The Centre considers that it is correct in law and that it is a reasonable use of the power to designate appointing authorities which belongs to every organisation under the staff regulation. The Court refers to one individual case: the Appeals Committee gave a fully reasoned decision in which is explained that it was awarding a sum ex aequo et bono. This is frequently done by the Community Courts and by the Appointing Authorities of the other institutions. However, the Centre has requested an official opinion and assessment by the legal services of the European Commission.

| 12. | The recruitment had been started in June 2005 with an internal phase in compliance with the Statute. In order to foster competition, the Centre has decided end of 2005 to favour the running of internal/interistitutional and external phases, to increase publicity and to apply EPSO standards for selection. Concerning the two criteria mentioned, the jurisprudence states that it is the responsibility of the jury to appreciate if criteria correspond to the level requested. |
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12.

The recruitment had been started in June 2005 with an internal phase in compliance with the Statute. In order to foster competition, the Centre has decided end of 2005 to favour the running of internal/interistitutional and external phases, to increase publicity and to apply EPSO standards for selection. Concerning the two criteria mentioned, the jurisprudence states that it is the responsibility of the jury to appreciate if criteria correspond to the level requested.

| 13. | The Centre has revised and tightened up all procurement and award procedures and taken the necessary measures to adapt the organisation. Checks safeguard that procedures are conducted in a regular way. Specific measures such as suspension of payments and special audits have been taken in regard to former procedures and contracts which have been criticised by the Court or the IAS to contain risks. |
| --- | --- |

13.

The Centre has revised and tightened up all procurement and award procedures and taken the necessary measures to adapt the organisation. Checks safeguard that procedures are conducted in a regular way. Specific measures such as suspension of payments and special audits have been taken in regard to former procedures and contracts which have been criticised by the Court or the IAS to contain risks.

| 14. | The Centre agrees with the remarks of the Court. In order to solve the problem the Centre has already reorganised the respective services. |
| --- | --- |

14.

The Centre agrees with the remarks of the Court. In order to solve the problem the Centre has already reorganised the respective services.

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