Spanish agencias estatales, “State Agencies”, are a new form of organisation. They are more independent and flexible in their structure and management, and control and effectiveness are reinforced by a culture of outcome accountability. The introduction of agencias estatales is of a piece with the process of updating and innovation across Public Administrations.

The analysis of the State Agencies’ activity is one of the key roles of the Evaluation and Quality Agency, as expressly set forth in additional provision 1(3) of the Ley 28/2006, de 18 de julio, de Agencias estatales para la mejora de los servicios públicos (the “State Agencies Act 2006”).

This analysis is a form of organisational assessment aimed at verifying and reinforcing State agencies’ commitment to quality improvement.

The Agency’s responsibilities and powers in this field are to:

- lay before the lower house of the Spanish national parliament an annual report on State agencies’ activities, with a special focus on their commitments to improve quality;

- report on proposed management contracts as regards quality management plans;

- monitor implemented quality programmes through the results of management contracts or using other forms of verification; and