Evaluation

Evaluation can be defined as a judgment of interventions according to their results, impacts and needs they aim to satisfy. This definition shows that evaluation is a process that culminates in a judgment (or assessment) of an intervention. Moreover, the focus of evaluation is first and foremost on the needs, results and impacts of an intervention. The main purposes for carrying out evaluations are as follows:

To contribute to the design of interventions, including providing input for setting political priorities
To assist in an efficient allocation of resources
To improve the quality of the intervention
To report on the achievements of the intervention (i.e. accountability)

The Mandate of the Evaluation Function

The evaluation charter for the DG was adopted in March 2008. It defines the objectives and organisation in this service.

The central evaluation function carries out the following tasks:

Develop guidelines for evaluation in DG Internal Market and Services
Propose a mid-term evaluation programme on the basis of input from operational units
Provide technical assistance to operational units to implement a light, efficient system of ad-hoc evaluation
Help promulgate evaluation results
Act as relay between DG Internal Market and Services and other evaluation functions in the Commission, especially Secretariat General
Report to the Director General on evaluation activities in the DG.

Evaluating Legislation in DG Internal Market and Services

In March 2008 the evaluation function of DG Internal Market & Services developed a specific guide to evaluating Internal Market and Services legislation for its own staff. However, it may also be a useful reference tool for anyone else involved in evaluating legislation in the Internal Market field:

DG MARKT Guide to Evaluating Legislation (2 MB), Annexes (2 MB)