European Commission proposal for a Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law : initial appraisal of a European Commission impact assessment

This note seeks to provide an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's Impact Assessment accompanying the proposal in question. It has been prepared by the Impact Assessment Unit (of Directorate G, DG Internal Policies) within the Parliament's general-secretariat. It analyses whether the principal criteria laid down in the Commission's own Impact Assessment guidelines appear to be met by the IA. This note - which does not attempt to deal with the substance of the proposal - is drafted for informational purposes to assist the committee in its work, and does not represent an official position of the Parliament. The objective of the European Commission's proposal is to strengthen the prevention and fight against fraud and other illegal activities affecting the Union's financial interests by defining criminal offences and sanctions. The IA draws on a set of logically-linked general, specific and operational objectives. The measure 'aims at setting a common and proportionate level of protection by deterrence' for a series of defined offences against the Union's financial interests by obliging Member States to ensure that such offences are punishable by a range of penalties, including prison sentences ranging from six months to ten years.