The EU justice and home affairs agencies

The European Union has set up a number of decentralised agencies to carry out specific legal, technical or scientific tasks within the European Union. The EU regulatory agencies are independent, and have their own legal personality. They provide added value by facilitating the implementation of policies, enhancing dialogue and helping to share information and expertise. EU agencies also provide practical support to Member States and the EU institutions.

In the area of justice and home affairs (JHA) there are currently the following agencies:

+ European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex)
+ European Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (EU-LISA)
+ European Asylum Support Office (EASO)
+ European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)
+ European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
+ European Police College (CEPOL)
+ European Police Office (Europol)
+ European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
+ European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust).

The EU JHA agencies are spread across different Member States. The JHA agencies established a network, in 2006, to foster bilateral and multilateral cooperation and synergies in areas of common interest, such as strategic and operational work, external relations or training.

As from 1 January 2014, EASO took over the Chair of the network. In this context, EASO decided to coordinate this publication in the form of a brochure to enhance public knowledge on the work of these agencies. This brochure gives an overview of the missions and tasks of all the EU justice and home affairs agencies. It also provides other practical information such as contact details.

EUROPA: How the EU works: Agencies and other EU bodies http://europa.eu/about-eu/agencies/index_en.htm

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