Article 26

The personal file of an official shall contain:

1. (a)

   all documents concerning his administrative status and all reports relating to his ability, efficiency and conduct;

2. (b)

   any comments by the official on such documents.

Documents shall be registered, numbered and filed in serial order; the documents referred to in subparagraph (a) may not be used or cited by the institution against an official unless they were communicated to him before they were filed.

The communication of any document to an official shall be evidenced by his signing it or, failing that, shall be effected by registered letter F1to the last address communicated by the official.

F2An official's personal file shall contain no reference to his political, trade union, philosophical or religious activities and views, or to his racial or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

The preceding paragraph shall not however prohibit the insertion in the file of administrative acts and documents known to the official which are necessary for the application of these Staff Regulations.

There shall be only one personal file for each official.

An official shall have the right, even after leaving the service, to acquaint himself with all the documents in his file and to take copies of them.

The personal file shall be confidential and may be consulted only in the offices of the administration or on a secure electronic medium. It shall, however, be forwarded to the Court of Justice of the F3European Union if an action concerning the official is brought F4 before the Court.