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DRAFT REPORT (2023/2148(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2022

CONT-PR-753516

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Petri Sarvamaa

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This is a draft report by the Committee on Budgetary Control on granting discharge to the European Chemicals Agency for its 2022 budget. It proposes to grant discharge and approve the closure of the accounts, and sets out observations on the Agency's budget, performance, staff, transparency and other matters. The observations note the Agency's 2022 budget of EUR 114 777 691, its budget implementation rates, and its performance in delivering its work programme. They also raise challenges such as an inefficient authorisation system and a low number of draft assessment reports for biocidal active substances. The report commends the Agency's efficiency gains, staff policy and conflict-of-interest and anti-fraud measures, and notes its cyber security, e-procurement and environmental management efforts. It also highlights the Agency's work on phasing out animal testing.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament grant the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency discharge for the 2022 budget and approve the closure of the Agency's accounts, and sets out observations in an accompanying resolution.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget, or postpones that decision.
  2. Parliament approves the closure of the Agency's accounts for 2022, or postpones that closure.
  3. The Agency's final 2022 budget was EUR 114 777 691, an increase of 5,83 % compared to 2021, funded mainly by collected fees and the Union contribution.
  4. The Court of Auditors obtained reasonable assurance that the Agency's annual accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions legal and regular.
  5. No issues requiring corrective action were reported for the Agency's procurement sector or internal control systems in 2022, nor were there outstanding corrective actions from previous years.
  6. Budget implementation rates were 98,61 % for current year commitment appropriations and 85,06 % for payment appropriations.
  7. Parliament insists on a Commission proposal to strengthen the Agency's governance and increase the sustainability of its financing model, given uncertainty over fee amounts and timing.
  8. The Agency implemented 93 % of its work programme, achieving 151 of 162 specific actions and outputs planned for 2022.
  9. Challenges in 2022 included an inefficient authorisation system with many hexavalent chromium applications, a lack of experienced committee members, and few draft assessment reports for biocidal active substances from member states.
  10. Parliament commends the Agency's efficiency strategy, notes a roughly 25 % reduction in IT infrastructure usage, and welcomes its cooperation with EUSPA and EFSA.
  11. The establishment plan was 98,07 % executed with 458 temporary agents appointed out of 467 authorised; the Agency also employed contract agents, interims, consultants and seconded national experts.
  12. Parliament welcomes the Agency's diversity action plan, conflict-of-interest policy revision, new electronic declaration tool, anti-fraud strategy and whistleblower guidelines, and notes its cyber security, e-procurement and EMAS measures and work on animal testing alternatives.

Who is affected

  • The European Chemicals Agency and its Executive Director, who would receive discharge and account closure for the 2022 budget.
  • The chemical industry, which pays fees that fund the Agency and faces uncertainty over fee amounts and timing.
  • Member states, whose contribution is needed for some actions and which submit draft assessment reports for biocidal active substances.
  • Agency staff, who are affected by diversity and inclusion measures, internal mobility, mentoring and anti-fraud training.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 114 777 691 — the Agency's final budget for the financial year 2022.
  • 5,83 % — the increase in the Agency's 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • 98,61 % — the budget implementation rate of current year commitment appropriations in 2022.
  • 85,06 % — the current year payment appropriations execution rate in 2022.
  • 93 % — the share of the Agency's work programme implemented in 2022.
  • 151 of 162 — the specific actions and outputs achieved out of those planned for 2022.
  • 98,07 % — the execution rate of the establishment plan on 31 December 2022.
  • 458 out of 467 — temporary agents appointed out of those authorised under the Union budget.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union