Types of complaint
Technical complaint
- What can be contested: A technical error during the tests or an organisational problem
- Procedure:
Submit a complaint via:
1) Single candidate portal (for the competitions managed by the SCP)
2) EPSO website contact form for all other selection procedures.
The deadline for complaints is indicated in the notice of competition/call for expression of interest. - Actors involved: EPSO.
- Who decides: EPSO.
- Outcome: EPSO informs the Selection Board abut the decision (i.e. repetition of tests, etc.).
Question(s) containing error(s)
- What can be contested: Content of the Computer-based multiple-choice test(s).
- Procedure:
Submit a complaint within 3 calendar days of the date of the computer-based tests via:
1) Single candidate portal (for the competitions managed by the SCP)
2) EPSO website contact form for all other selection procedures. - Actors involved: Selection Board.
- Who decides: Selection Board.
- Outcome: In case of neutralisation of a question, the points will be redistributed among the remaining questions.
Request for review
- What can be contested: The decision of your disqualification from the competition and/or your test results.
- Procedure:
Submit a complaint within 5 calendar days from the date of the decision via:
1) Single candidate portal (for the competitions managed by the SCP)
2) EPSO website contact form for all other selection procedures. - Actors involved: Selection Board.
- Who decides: Selection Board.
- Outcome: In cases of readmission, candidates are reintegrated at the step of the competition where they were excluded.
Administrative complaint (Article 90 of the EU Staff regulation)
- What can be contested: Any decision negatively affecting your legal status as a candidate.
- Procedure: Submit a complaint within three months from the notification of the decision via:
1) Single candidate portal (for the competitions managed by the SCP)
2) EPSO website contact form for all other selection procedures. - Actors involved: EPSO Legal Sector and the Selection Board.
- Who decides: Selection Board or Appointing Authority (i.e. Director of EPSO).
- Outcome: The Director may refer the case back to the Selection Board for re-assessment in case of error.
Complaint to the European Ombudsman
- What can be contested: Suspected maladministration.
- Procedure: Submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman within two years of becoming aware of the facts.
- Actors involved: EPSO's legal sector in collaboration with the European Ombudsman.
- Who decides: European Ombudsman.
- Outcome: The Ombudsman issues recommendations to resolve maladministration.
Judicial Appeal
- What can be contested: Any decision negatively affecting your legal status as a candidate.
- Procedure: Submit an appeal to the European Union General Court within three months and ten days of notification of the decision.
- Actors involved: EPSO's legal sector and the Commission's legal service.
- Who decides: General Court of the European Union.
- Outcome: The Court can annul but not amend a decision.
