The European Commission's framework for consulting the public "is of a high standard" and survey participants were "generally satisfied with the consultation process", said the EU Court of Auditors in a special report adopted on Thursday 5 September.
This audit of public consultations (which can influence EU policy making) allowed the auditors to identify "some areas where the Commission's framework for monitoring and evaluating public consultations could be improved". In addition, in its guidelines for better regulation, the Commission does not provide for specific indicators or systematic evaluation to check whether public consultations are achieving all their objectives, the EU Court of Auditors regrets.
It makes several recommendations to be followed by July 2020, including specific indicators and a systematic assessment of whether public consultations are achieving all their objectives. The Commission is invited to translate into all official EU languages the main questionnaires and other consultation documents (such as roadmaps, consultation strategies, factual reports and synthesis reports) "for all priority initiatives and initiatives of high public interest". (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)