Complaints leading to investigations

Of the 3.813 complaints handled in 2019, only 150 led to the opening of an EU Pilot case or infringement procedure. Nearly all of these complaints, 3.663, 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due to there not being any violation of European law, or there being an error of some kind, or the complaint being withdrawn.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.