There are several principles that guide the European Commission in its work: transparency, ethical behaviour, good administration, multilingualism, as well as digital transformation and environmental impact.
Transparency
As transparency is a key EU principle, the European Commission ensures that citizens, stakeholders, and all parties concerned can access relevant, up-to-date data and information.
The Commission publishes information about, for example, consultations, registers of interest, the work of committees and expert groups, as well as details about the EU funding beneficiaries.
Transparency helps maintain European citizens’ trust in the legitimacy of the Union’s political, legislative, and administrative processes.
Ethics and good administration
Both Commissioners and Commission staff have a duty to serve the public interest. Both operate within a framework of principles and rules that govern their conduct regarding ethics and integrity.
The Commission is committed to ensuring good administration in its relations with the public. It strives to put the citizens’ right to good administration into practice and to avoid any instance of maladministration.
European Commissioners are subject to strict ethical standards and integrity rules
Civil servants of the European Commission must abide by certain rules while in service and after leaving office
The European Commission is committed to ensuring good administration in its relations with the public
You can file a complaint to the Commission if you consider that it has breached its Code of Good Administrative Behaviour
A modern workplace
The European Commission’s human resources strategy presents a vision for a modern and flexible organisation, performing at the highest level in the interest of all Europeans.
With its Digital Strategy, the Commission has set up the framework for continuous digital transformation. It promotes a vision of a digital Commission that engages and connects people, data, processes and technology.
The Commission is determined to be a front-runner in the transition towards a climate neutral society, by setting out an ambitious and realistic plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. It made a pledge under the European Climate Pact and committed to gradually reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% compared to 2005.
The Commission is undertaking a large-scale review to become more agile, efficient, and attractive. A high-level group chaired by Catherine Day acts as a sounding board for the review.
Our vision for a modern, flexible and values-driven organisation
Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination and reflective of the society we serve
Building a more digital, connected and user-focused organisation
Aiming to reach climate neutrality in our operations by 2030 and reduce our environmental footprint
Reshaping the European Commission so that we can better serve citizens in a rapidly changing world