On Thursday 17 November, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion calling on Greece to apply the EU rules on auditing.
This directive aims to harmonise further the rules on auditing at European level, in order to increase the transparency and predictability of the requirements applicable to the persons carrying out audits, as well as the independence and objectivity of these persons in the execution of their tasks. In particular, the rules lay down accreditation and registration conditions for persons carrying out statutory audits and define the framework for the public oversight to which they are subject.
The member states had until 17 June 2016 to transpose these rules into their national legislation. As the Greek authorities missed this deadline, the Commission sent them a letter of formal notice in July 2016. If the country fails to act in response to today's reasoned opinion within a period of two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union. (Original version in French by Élodie Lamer)