OLAF (Office européen de lutte antifraude) is the European Anti-Fraud Office. Founded in 1999, it operates as part of the European Commission and employs approximately 420 staff from law enforcement, customs, and legal backgrounds. In its investigative capacity, OLAF operates with full independence.
Mandate
What does OLAF do?
OLAF investigates fraud, corruption, and irregularities affecting EU financial interests, addresses serious misconduct by EU personnel, and works to develop a consistent EU anti-fraud policy. It may act in cases of misuse of EU funds, customs fraud, and suspected misconduct by EU staff or members of EU institutions.
Types of Investigations
What types of investigation does OLAF do?
All allegations received by the European Anti-Fraud Office undergo an initial assessment to determine whether they fall within the remit of the Office and meet the criteria for opening an investigation. Investigations can involve interviews and on-site inspections and are classified under one of three categories:
- Internal investigations within EU institutions and bodies to detect fraud, corruption, and any other illegal activity affecting EU financial interests.
- External investigations outside EU institutions and bodies to detect fraud or other irregular conduct by natural or legal persons.
- Coordination cases, in which OLAF supports national authorities or other EU departments by facilitating the gathering and exchange of information and contacts.
Upon concluding an investigation, OLAF issues recommendations to the relevant EU and national authorities, typically covering:
- Criminal recommendations: Where criminal activity is suspected, findings are brought to national authorities.
- Financial recommendations: OLAF recommends financial recoveries of misappropriated EU funds.
- Disciplinary recommendations: Where EU staff have breached their obligations relating to the discharge of professional duties, the matter is referred to a disciplinary body.
- Administrative recommendations: OLAF recommends procedural improvements in areas vulnerable to fraud.
OLAF subsequently monitors the implementation of these recommendations.
Distinction
Comparison between OLAF und EPPO
OLAF conducts administrative investigations; criminal prosecutions fall under the jurisdiction of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Both bodies are required to cooperate closely to ensure the admissibility of evidence and compliance with procedural safeguards.
Oversight
The OLAF Supervisory Committee consists of independent experts jointly appointed by the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and the European Commission. Members serve five-year terms. The Committee monitors investigative activities, issues opinions to the Director-General, and reports annually to the EU institutions, without intervening in ongoing investigations. Since 2016, its secretariat reports directly to the Commission.
Relevance for Compliance Managers
Companies receiving EU funding, holding public contracts, or maintaining business relationships with EU institutions can become directly subject to OLAF investigations or face indirect exposure through third-party business partners. For compliance professionals, the stakes are clear: organizations that cannot demonstrate robust screening processes and comprehensive documentation records risk not only reputational damage, but potential criminal liability.
This is precisely where the Business Partner Due Diligence System from Compliance Solutions comes in.
Identify, document, and manage compliance risks throughout your supply chain. Learn more about our Business Partner Due Diligence System.
Contact
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