Complaints leading to investigations

Of the 3,882 complaints handled in 2018, only 185 led to the opening of an EU Pilot case or infringement procedure. Nearly all of these complaints, 3,697, were dismissed by the institutions, whether due to there not being any violation of European law, or there being an error of some kind, or the complaint being withdrawn.

Infringements may be detected by the Commission’s own investigations or brought to its attention by complaints or petitions from members of the public, businesses, NGOs or other organisations.