Parlementaire controle van zelfstandige agentschappen

The delegation of public authority to EU independent regulatory agencies raises the question of such agencies' political accountability. So far this subject has been understudied largely due to the fact that most EU agencies have been entrusted with formally weak powers. In the recent years, however, the number, de facto influence as well as de jure powers of EU agencies have grown considerably. There are 35 EU agencies, which are no longer merely information-gathering assistants of the Commission and national authorities; they may enjoy decision-making and supervisory powers.

This book offers an in-depth analysis of the laws and practices of the political accountability arrangements of all 35 EU agencies. An important added value of this study is that it compares the EU situation with a jurisdiction that has more than a century-long history concerning the matter at stake, the US. The US experience offers valuable lessons to consider for the EU, sends warning signals in relation to some experiences that would be better avoided, and demonstrates similar concerns that indicate the fundamental character of certain questions in the field of the political accountability of independent regulatory agencies.

In light of the ongoing reform on EU agencies' creation and operation at the EU level, this book concludes with a few recommendations for the EU representative institutions on how the political accountability of EU agencies should be adjusted.

Currently Miroslava Scholten is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Utrecht Centre for Shared Regulation and Enforcement in Europe (RENFORCE) and at the Europa Institute, Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, Utrecht University.