Every year, the European Commission carries out audits and other controls to verify that EU standards on food and feed safety, food quality, animal health and welfare, plant health and certain areas of human health are correctly implemented in EU Member States and in countries around the world that export to the EU.

In 2024 there are 234 planned controls, which includes 134 audits to assess control systems at the country level. Once complete, the outcomes of these audits are published on the website of the European Commission.   

In addition, Commission experts will perform demand-driven controls such as those verifying compliance with EU legislation of border control posts, medical devices notified bodies, laboratories and testing facilities involved in studies for regulated product submission, and third country listings for exports to the EU.

The selection of planned controls results from a comprehensive prioritisation process. This is based on legal obligations for Commission controls, an assessment of risks posed in the sectors concerned and the Commission’s political priorities, in particular the Farm to Fork Strategy.

All controls help give consumers the confidence that their interests are protected.

The work programme also presents other activities planned for 2024. These include, for example, on the sustainable use of pesticides, the management of two networks of Member State authorities on their multi-annual national control plans and national audit systems, and the management of the Better Training for Safer Food programme.

To learn more about the details of the Health and Food Audits and Analysis Programme for 2024, please click here.