Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents was extended to the EU Agencies in September 2003. In November 2019, the Management Board of Eurofound adopted implementing rules for applying the regulation.

Broadly speaking the regulation states that members of the public have a right of access to internal, unpublished documents of Eurofound subject to the principles, conditions and limits defined in the regulation.

In order to help the public identify documents that may be of interest to them, the regulation provides for the existence of a register of public documents with direct links to the documents themselves, as far as possible.

Documents can be accessed online on the following pages:

Other documents may be requested. The short guide below explains how to exercise your right of access.

Introduction

The Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union emphasise the transparency and openness of the decision-making process in the Union for the general public.

Improving public access to European information is therefore a key factor in promoting public interest in European affairs, improving understanding of the activities of the Union and fostering informed debate on European issues.

In this respect, the following procedure for requesting access to unpublished documents apply at Eurofound.

Procedure: Public access guide

Be aware that documents may be classified confidential or restricted where their release would be harmful to the interests of individuals or bodies as defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. See Eurofound's internal rules on classification of documents below.

Eurofound security classifications

Eurofound recognises the importance of the information that it handles, including information that it receives from and sends to stakeholders. It also recognises the need to prevent the unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information both inside and outside the Agency.

You may receive a document or email from Eurofound marked with one of the security classifications below:

Sensitive

Information which is used for general business operations of Eurofound but which contains sensitive information. The information is provided on a 'need-to-know' basis. It is solely intended for the use of the individuals or entities to whom it is addressed. Any disclosure or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipients is prohibited. In case you receive this information in error, please delete it and notify the sender immediately.

Legal

Information which is used for pre-litigation and litigation cases as well as legal advice pertaining to any business operations of Eurofound. The information is provided on a 'need-to-know' basis. It is solely intended for the use of the individuals or entities to whom it is addressed. Any disclosure or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipients is prohibited. In case you receive this information in error, please delete it and notify the sender immediately.

Eurofound recognises the importance of the information that it handles, including information that it receives from and sends to stakeholders. It also recognises the need to prevent the unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information both inside and outside the Agency.

You may receive a document or email from Eurofound marked with one of the security classifications below:

We would encourage you to protect the information you receive from Eurofound according to the criteria above.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Since September 2017 the historical archives of the Foundation are available for consultation at the Historical Archives of the European Union(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab at the European University Institute in Florence.

See Eurofound’s internal rules for the application of Council Regulation 354/1983 as amended by Council Regulation 1700/2003 and Council Regulation (EU) 2015/496 of 17 March 2015 (the archives regulation)(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab adopted by the Board in 2017.

Photo: Left to right: Mr Purkiss, Director, Mr Vandermeeren, Chair of the Board (Workers), Mr Verborgh, Deputy Director and Mr McColgan, Head of Administration at the opening of the Brussels Liaison Office in October 1991.

Since September 2017 the historical archives of the Foundation are available for consultation at the Historical Archives of the European Union(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab at the European University Institute in Florence.

See Eurofound’s internal rules for the application of Council Regulation 354/1983 as amended by Council Regulation 1700/2003 and Council Regulation (EU) 2015/496 of 17 March 2015 (the archives regulation)(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab adopted by the Board in 2017.

Photo: Left to right: Mr Purkiss, Director, Mr Vandermeeren, Chair of the Board (Workers), Mr Verborgh, Deputy Director and Mr McColgan, Head of Administration at the opening of the Brussels Liaison Office in October 1991.

Collection descriptions are available for the following papers:

The archive also includes publications, photographs, posters and promotional material.

Eurofound has signed an agreement with the UK Data Service for preservation and third party access of its European survey datasets. The datasets and accompanying materials are stored with the UK Data Service(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab and promoted online via their website