Letter O

OLAF abbreviation stands for European Anti-Fraud Office (French: Office Européen de Lutte Anti-Fraude).

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is mandated to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds in order to protect the financial interests of the European Union.

OLAF fulfils its mission by:

• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

See also: Link to OLAF’s webpage

The On-the-spot-check (OTSC) is a form of control activity performed by the competent authorities. Its aim is to establish, the regular or irregular nature of the activities of the beneficiary.

The European legislator has adopted a specific regulation dealing with OTSC performed by the European Commission. According to the rules of Regulation 2185/96 the Commission carries out on-the-spot checks and inspections on the premises of economic operators:

• to investigate possible serious or cross-border irregularities or irregularities involving economic operators acting in several EU countries;
• to reinforce on-the-spot checks and inspections in an EU country in order to protect the EU’s financial interests more effectively and ensure an equivalent level of protection within the EU;
• at the request of an EU country.

On-the-spot checks and inspections may concern, in particular:

• business books and documents such as invoices, lists of terms and conditions, payslips, statements of materials used and work done, and bank statements,
• computer data;
• production, packaging and dispatching systems and methods;
• physical checks as to the nature and quantity of goods or completed operations;
• the taking and checking of samples;
• the progress of works and investments for which financing has been provided, and the use made of completed investments;
• budgetary and accounting documents;
• the financial and technical implementation of subsidised projects.

Source: Council Regulation (EURATOM, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities

See also (all languages): On-the-spot checks and inspections on the premises of EU funding recipients – Information page by Eur-Lex