BUDGET: COMMISSION CONTINUES CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER INTERNAL AUDITS.

Back in 2000, the Commission adopted 24 internal audit standards. All together, they lend support to the general internal audit framework and cover all dimensions of European Commission management and not just the financial strand. On September 30, the DGs reported that 65% of all the basic requirements had been fully implemented. They reckoned this would be 93% by the end of December. The implementation of about 28% of the requirements is now in progress and should be completed before the New Year. Solely 5% or thereabouts will be partially applied, 1% will not be applied at all. The fact that about 28% of the basic requirements are regarded as having to be met between the review date and the end of the year could create a rise on the face of it, as this is a period when the DGs are veritable hives of activity, according to the report drawn up by Michaele Schreyer and Neil Kinnock.

The evaluation of preparedness is based entirely on a self-assessment by the DGs. Complying with the requirements does not in itself mean that effective internal audit systems are in place, as a self-assessment process for assaying conformity is a hazardous exercise at the best of times. Assurance provided under this system about internal audits will never carry the same weight, as that offered in the context of an independent audit. The European Commission...