The European Parliament decided by 636 votes to 58, with 4 abstentions, to grant discharge to the Executive Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) in respect of the implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2019.

Noting that the Court of Auditors has stated that it has obtained reasonable assurance that the Agency's annual accounts for the financial year 2019 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted, by 626 votes in favour, 58 against and 7 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations which form an integral part of the discharge decision and which complement the general recommendations set out in the resolution on the performance, financial management and control of EU agencies.

Agency’s financial statements

The final budget of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for the financial year 2019 was EUR 15 739 000, an increase of 2.03% compared to 2018.

Budgetary and financial management

The budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2019 resulted in a budget execution rate of 97.84%, which represents a decrease of 1.74% compared to 2018. The implementation rate for payment appropriations was 76.33%, a decrease of 8.52% compared to 2018.

The amount of committed appropriations carried over from 2019 to 2020 was lower than those carried over from 2018 to 2019, but at EUR 3 386 293 or 22% of the Agency's budget, it remains high. The Agency is therefore invited to analyse the reasons for this and to improve the budget planning accordingly.

Other comments

Members also made a series of observations concerning performance, staff, procurement, prevention of conflicts of interest and internal controls.

In particular, they noted that:

- the Agency should regularly update the performance measurement system to ensure the quality of its contribution and expertise at EU level;

- the Agency needs to develop its synergies with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) and the European Training Foundation (ETF), share knowledge and exchange both information and good practice with other EU agencies to improve its efficiency (in the areas of human resources, building management, IT services and security);

- the Agency played a leading role in implementing the principles enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights;

- by 31 December 2019, the establishment plan was 100 % implemented with with 40 temporary agents appointed out of the 40 temporary agents authorised under the EU budget. Further efforts are needed to achieve gender balance at senior management level and in the Management Board;

- during the year, the Agency revised and updated its procurement guidelines following the implementation of the electronic procurement system for tender and contract management;

- efforts are being made to ensure transparency and the prevention and management of conflicts of interest. The Agency should publish the CVs and declarations of interest of all Management Board members and inform the discharge authority of the measures taken in this respect;

- the internal control framework was effectively adopted by the Management Board on 1 January 2019.