The article reviews the 2017 evaluation of OLAF’s legal framework (Reg. 883/2013) and sketches next steps. Using the EU’s Better Regulation playbook, the Commission found OLAF delivers clear EU added value and largely effective cooperation (notably via AFCOS)—but its investigative powers are fragmented by dependence on national law, lack direct enforcement tools, and face uneven admissibility of OLAF reports in national proceedings. Differences in cooperation duties across Member States/IBOAs, governance frictions with the Supervisory Committee, and gaps around VAT and access to bank account information also emerged. With the EPPO launching, the Commission plans targeted amendments: align OLAF–EPPO relations, streamline and clarify references to national law, bolster report admissibility and cooperation duties, define OLAF’s VAT remit, improve access to financial data, and tidy up coordination cases—aiming for a stronger, more coherent anti-fraud framework.

The article reflects on the 2017 evaluation of Regulation 883/2013, which governs OLAF investigations, and compares it with other EU enforcement bodies under the Hercule III programme. While the Regulation strengthened safeguards, AFCOS coordination, and investigative tools, its effectiveness is hampered by persistent dependence on national law, leading to jurisdictional fragmentation in on-the-spot checks, digital forensics, and information exchange. This uneven framework undermines consistency in protecting EU financial interests. Comparative analysis with DG COMP, ECB, and ESMA shows that more autonomous EU powers (including sanctions for non-cooperation) could better secure OLAF’s mandate. The author argues that a recalibrated, Union-wide framework for external investigations and information exchange would resolve the tension between OLAF’s broad mandate and its limited, nationally bound instruments.

The article analyses OLAF’s future role in light of the establishment of the EPPO under Regulation 2017/1939. Although OLAF remains focused on administrative investigations, its mandate will increasingly intertwine with EPPO criminal proceedings under a “complementarity model.” Klement highlights key challenges: avoiding duplication of work, ensuring secure and efficient information exchange, and reconciling the different natures of administrative vs. criminal investigations. The risk of inadmissible evidence, conflicts of competence, and strained relations with non-EPPO states is significant. To be an effective EPPO partner, OLAF must raise its standards of guarantees and judicial control, gain easier access to financial data, and ideally acquire legal personality to reinforce its independence and accountability. The conclusion: OLAF now stands “at the gates of criminal law” and requires reform to fully support and complement the EPPO.

Data protection is one of today's most important challenges. Cross-border crime, terrorist risks, and new technologies all contribute to an increase in the collection and movement of personal data. This contribution first gives an overview of the content of the recently reformed European data protection law, i.e. the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It also provides an analysis of Directive 2016/680, which regulates the specific protection of personal data in the prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences as well as the enforcement of criminal penalties. The article further outlines current projects and new developments regarding data transmission between intelligence agencies and prevention/prosecution authorities. It also focuses on the principle of limitation for the purpose of data use as well as the "compatibility" of operation purposes as rules for restricting data processing. The paper concludes by recommending the creation of harmonised and clear rules for data transmission with the … Read more