Transparency

Freedom of information

In line with the principle of freedom of information, the Commission is required to disclose information. In practical terms, this means providing access to information the Commission holds, such as legislative texts, official documents, agendas and meeting minutes.

Getting information

Under Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, citizens and residents of EU countries have a right of access to the documents of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission. This means citizens can obtain documents held by the Commission and other institutions, including legislative information, official documents, historical archives and meeting minutes and agendas.

Request a Commission document

Responses to petitions sent to Commissioners

Track the development of a proposed EU law

Citizens can stay informed of the development of proposed EU laws, across the whole process – from the moment the Commission agrees on it, to the adoption of the law. They can also participate in open policy and decision-making.

The Commission remains transparent when preparing its decisions, in particular as regards who influences them, through the Transparency register. The Register facilitates public scrutiny of the EU’s law-making and policy implementation.

The Commission also maintains a register of committees, known as comitology committees, that oversee the Commission when it adopts implementing acts. The register contains a list of these committees as well as background information and documents relating to their work.

Track law-making

Consultations

Transparency register

Comitology register

Funding recipients

Find information about beneficiaries of funds the European Commission has awarded. The Financial Transparency System lets you view by year, and analyse, for example the funding amount, purpose, and beneficiaries’ details.

You can access details of funding paid by the European Commission directly (since 2007), and beneficiaries of the European Development Fund (since 2010). To do that, search the database of EU funding recipients

Outside experts and special advisors

The Commission has set up a register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities which provide it with advice and expertise in relation to EU legislation.

The Commission can also select special advisers based on their expertise and qualifications.

Special advisers

Register of the Data Protection Officer

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is required to keep a register of all the processing operations on personal data carried out by the Commission. The register, which must contain information explaining the purpose and conditions of all processing operations, is accessible to any interested person.