Article 16 Powers and duties of the Authorising Officer

The Chief Executive shall perform the duties of Authorising Officer. The Authorising Officer shall implement the general budget in accordance with these financial rules and the principle of sound financial management, under his own responsibility and within the limits of the authorised appropriations. The Authorising Officer shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of legality and regularity.

The Chief Executive may delegate the powers of budget implementation to staff of the Agency, covered by Council Decision (EU) 2016/1351^f1 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Staff Regulations of the Agency’), in accordance with the conditions laid down in these financial rules. Those so empowered may act only within the limits of the powers expressly conferred upon them.

Technical expertise tasks and administrative, preparatory or ancillary tasks not involving the exercise of public authority or the use of discretionary powers of judgement may be entrusted by contract to external entities or bodies.

The Chief Executive, having due regard to the risks associated with the management environment and the nature of the action financed, shall propose to the Steering Board and put in place the organisational structure and the internal control systems suited to the performance of his/her duties. The establishment of such structure and systems shall be supported by a risk analysis which takes into account their cost-effectiveness.

The Steering Board shall give its assent to decisions related to the organisational structure of the Agency.

The Chief Executive may establish an expertise and advice function designed to help him or her control the risks involved in his or her activities.

The Authorising Officer shall conserve the supporting documents relating to operations carried out for a period of five years from the date of the decision granting discharge to the Agency in respect of implementation of the general budget for the year concerned.

Article 31 of Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835 shall apply to the treatment of personal data.