The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)

Abstract

OLAF, the Anti-Fraud Office of the EU, has the mission of conducting internal and external administrative investigations against fraud, corruption, and any other illegal activity detrimental to the financial interests of the Union. Its legal framework has been amended recently, including the rules concerning external investigations undertaken in close cooperation with the Member States and the evidential value of OLAF reports in court proceedings.

The processing and protection of personal data by OLAF is subject to Regulation 45/2001. The daily application of this Regulation by OLAF constitutes a good example of how the general legal framework of data protection (including supervision by EDPS) is flexible enough and offers workable solutions for the particular needs of (administrative) investigations without generating undue administrative burdens.