Related FAQs

What should I do if I feel that I was not treated fairly during my competition due to my difference(s)?

EPSO places great importance on equality, diversity and inclusion, and makes every effort to respect equal opportunities, equal treatment and equal access for all its applicants. If you feel that you have been treated in an unfair or discriminatory way, due to one or more of the following characteristics: sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation, please contact us straight away to share your observations...

I have a disability and have had problems accessing the EPSO account and/or website during my selection procedure. Whom should I contact to share my observations and recommendations?

Accessibility is very important to EPSO. We continually work to improve the accessibility of our communication and selection procedures. However, if you run into difficulties linked to the accessibility of your EPSO account or our website, please contact us to share your observations and recommendations. Your feedback is essential to us. It helps us improve our services by making them more accessible to everyone. You can find out more about EPSO's work to improve accessibility on our equal opportunities webpage.

What information must I provide in my complaint?

The competition numberYour candidate numberDetails on the decision you contest(eg non- admission because diploma or professional experience not relevant, too short or not linked to the field of the competition, insufficient professional experience, low Talent Screener score for one/more specific question(s), the assessment of a competency) The grounds for your complaint

In which case can i submit a request for review?

You can request a review of any decision of the Selection Board or EPSO that affects your progress at any stage of the selection procedure if you consider that there has been a material error or a breach of the rules of the competition procedure.

Can i lodge an administrative complaint (article 90) before receiving my review reply (on the same subject)?

No. If deemed necessary, it should be done after receipt of the review reply. The article 90 administrative complaint has to be based on a decision which negatively affects your legal status as a candidate, i.e. in this case based on the Selection Board's negative reply to a review. The deadline for submitting an article 90 complaint is within 3 months from the notification of the decision you wish to contest.

Which type of complaint is relevant in my case?

If you are a candidate who has a validated application for one of EPSO's open competitions or selection procedures, you are entitled to make any one of the types of complaint.Please also refer to the notice of competition for a full overview of the different ways in which you may submit a complaint.

Can I bring a case before the court?

Each candidate can bring a case before the Court against a decision taken by the Selection Board or the Appointing Authority which negatively affects his/her legal status as a candidate.The Appeal must be sent to the European Union Civil Service Tribunal within three months and ten days from the notification of the decision he/she wishes to contest.A challenged decision can be annulled but not amended by the Civil Service Tribunal.

What happens if a candidate knows one of the Selection Board members?

The candidate should immediately inform EPSO so that the necessary measures can be taken in order to avoid any kind of conflict of interests.

Can I submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman?

Each candidate can submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman within two years from the date when the facts or acts of an alleged maladministration occurred.

Can i request a copy of evaluation criteria or marking grids or marked scripts or details of the marking?

No. These are covered by the secrecy of the Board proceedings under the Staff Regulations.

Can i request a copy of my unmarked written/practical tests?

Yes, except in cases where test content is intended to be reused. In such cases, you will be informed about this in advance through the notice of competition and/or the invitation letter to the tests in question.

I have submitted a request for review and have not received a reply, should I send a reminder?

If you received an acknowledgment of receipt after you sent your initial complaint, you should not send a reminder unless a significant time has passed since you wrote.The replies to review can take several weeks to prepare. The Selection Board must meet to decide, and only after that are the replies prepared and sent.

What happens if I am readmitted after review but the competition has already progressed to the next step?

If the Selection Board were to readmit you following review, you would re-enter the process at the step where you had been excluded, regardless of how far the competition has progressed in the meantime.