Reporting fraud
ESA being an intergovernmental organisation of public interest, it is essential to ensure that the Agency’s funding, which is public, be used by ESA, its staff members and contracting partners, in a responsible, lawful, professional and ethical manner in the execution of their activities, in full accountability under the control of ESA’s Member States and in line with ESA’s Financial Regulations.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of all ESA staff members and other persons and entities working with ESA to contribute to the application of the above principles, not only in the implementation of ESA’s programmes, but also of its administrative processes. ESA does not tolerate any kind of fraud and endeavours to recover any amount or asset lost as a result of such unlawful acts. Prevention and detection of fraud remain of particular importance to strengthen ESA’s position towards its stakeholders, as a public procurement entity of major importance in European industry, in ensuring a reliable and trusted internal control system.
Mechanism for action
How to report a suspected case of fraud at ESA?
As a reminder, it is essential that everybody working for, or with, ESA is aware of the ESA Policy on the Prevention, Detection and Investigation of Fraud available here.
According to this Policy, Article 4.1, fraud is defined as:
- a wilful act or wilful omission
- involving in particular the use of deception
- to obtain an unjust or illegal advantage for oneself or a third person
- that adversely affects the financial interests of the Agency, its contributors or its other funding entities
Fraud includes as well acts of embezzlement, misuse of entrusted funds, corruption and bribery.
It includes both the act committed and any assistance to such acts. To report a fraud, please follow this link.