Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 8 September 2021 –
Spain v Commission

(Case T‑355/18)

(Rules on languages – Notices of open competition for the recruitment of administrators in the field of public health and food safety – Restriction of the choice of language 2 to four languages – Regulation No 1 – Article 1d(1), Article 27 and Article 28(f) of the Staff Regulations – Discrimination based on language – Interests of the service – Proportionality)

1.      Officials – Competitions – Holding of an open competition – Languages of communication between the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and the candidates – Restriction – Whether permissible – Statement of reasons – Justification having regard to the interests of the service – Observance of the principle of equal treatment between candidates

(Staff Regulations of Officials, Art. 1d(1) and (6) and Annex III, Art. 1; Council Regulation No 1, Arts 2 and 5)

(see paras 50-52)

2.      Officials – Competitions – Holding of an open competition – Languages of participation in tests – Limitation of the choice of second language – Discrimination based on language – Justification based on the interest of the service in recruiting people who are immediately operational – Not permissible

(Staff Regulations of Officials, Arts 1d(1) and (6), 27 and 28(f) and Annex III, Art. 1(1)(f); Council Regulation No 1, Art. 1)

(see paras 62-64, 80, 85, 86, 94, 95, 99-102, 113-118, 120-122, 127-129, 132, 133)

Re:

Application under Article 263 TFEU for annulment of notices of open competition EPSO/AD/340/18 to draw up a reserve list in the field of health and food safety (audit, inspection and evaluation) and EPSO/AD/341/18 to draw up a reserve list in the field of food safety (policy and legislation) (OJ 2018 C 97 A, p. 1).

Operative part

The Court:

1. Annuls notices of open competition EPSO/AD/340/18 to draw up a reserve list in the field of health and food safety (audit, inspection and evaluation) and EPSO/AD/341/18 to draw up a reserve list in the field of food safety (policy and legislation);

2. Orders the European Commission to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the Kingdom of Spain.