Subject matter, scope and aim
Article 1
1. This decision establishes the Early Warning System (the ‘EWS’) to be used by authorising officers of the Commission and of the executive agencies when they implement the general budget of the European Union and any other fund managed by the Union. 2. The EWS contributes to the protection of the Union's financial interests and the safeguard of the Union's image, the fight against fraud and the sound financial management. 3. The aim of the EWS is to: (a) inform by means of registration of warnings the authorising officers responsible of the Commission and of the executive agencies that a person could represent a threat to the Union's financial interests and image or to any other fund managed by the Union; and (b) enable the authorising officer responsible to make verifications or take appropriate measures, including those referred to in Section 4 on the basis of warnings. 4. The information contributes to ensure: (a) the prevention of risks by means of verification on the basis of early information on a person for suspicion of or findings related to any of the following acts: — substantial error or irregularity; — professional misconduct; — serious breach of contract; or — fraud, corruption or any illegal activity detrimental to the Union's financial interests as referred to in Article 141 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 ( 9 ) ; (b) The exclusion of a person under Articles 106(1) and 109(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (the ‘FR’).