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Instructions
Format
Present your special report titles in two parts. The first covers the subject matter/policy area. The second should be on a separate line and summarise in a few words the main message of the report. Note that the second part will appear in a smaller font than the first part in the published document, in order to distinguish between them clearly.
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Energy efficiency in enterprises
Some energy savings but weaknesses in planning and project selection
Chemical hazards in our food
EU food safety policy protects us but faces challenges
Note that it is not necessary to include the reference to the TFEU on the cover page of the special report – this should appear on the back page of the report below 'about this report' text, as follows: "ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second subparagraph, TFEU". There is no need to refer to the TFEU for review reports.
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The EU’s response to the “dieselgate” scandal
Simplification in post-2020 delivery of Cohesion Policy
Note that there is no need to refer to the TFEU for review products.
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Style
All ECA report titles should follow a similar style. While this does not mean they should be identical or repetitive, there are some simple rules to follow.
- Be succinct. The shorter and simpler, the better.
- Draft the title to point readers towards what the audit found (the main conclusion):
EU action to combat illegal fishing
Control systems in place but weakened by uneven checks and sanctions by Member States
- Avoid using technical jargon and try to speak to citizens directly by using the first person plural:
Air pollution
Our health insufficiently protected
- Use your imagination:
EU rail freight
Still not on the right track
- In the case of review titles, be clear about the subject matter and do not include or imply a judgement:
EU support for energy storage
Procedure
For both special reports and reviews, you should decide the subject matter element of the title early on during your work to use internally to give the report a recognisable identity.
You do not necessarily have to present the final title of the report to the chamber with the preliminary observations. You can continue to use the working title at this stage. If you present the final title, you should follow the prescribed format.
The title of the report is not formally the subject of discussion during the [link title="adversarial%20procedure" link="%2Faware%2FPA%2FPages%2FReporting%2FAdversarial-procedure.aspx" /]
for special reports or [link title="final%20consultation%20process" link="%2Faware%2Freview%2FPages%2FFinal-consultation.aspx" /]
in the case of reviews. However, in keeping with our [link title="no%20surprises%20approach" link="%2Faware%2FGAP%2FPages%2FCommunication-in-audit.aspx" /]
, we should make the auditee or reviewee aware of the title at the latest during the last adversarial or final consultation meeting before submitting the report to the chamber for final adoption. We do not expect, nor accept, a reply to the title.
The Communication team and the English Language Service are available for help on drafting the title for your report.
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