ETI & Lobbying
What is lobbying?
In a nutshell, it simply means seeking to influence someone – in particular a legislator or decision-maker. As such anyone can “lobby” someone else.
- The European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Ministers are the three main EU bodies involved in adopting policy and legislation.
- As the EU has grown in size and areas of competence, its decisions affect more and more areas of business, civil society and individual citizens.
- As such, more and more people seek to influence the shape of legislation so that it reflects their concerns or needs.
What are the issues surrounding lobbying?
- Why lobby? Lobbying is a legitimate part of the decision-making process. When done well, it should inform decision-makers’ thinking, thus allowing them to take well-informed decisions. Lobbyists can provide information and expertise of a particular field, which decision-makers or politicians will not necessarily possess. As such it should aid better law-making.
- Why transparency? Policy makers and those who try to influence them must act ethically and they must be accountable for their behaviour. Ensuring the transparency of these processes helps to achieve this and adds to the legitimacy of the decisions taken.
- It takes two to lobby. Those who lobby and those who are lobbied must observe legal and ethical obligations. SEAP was founded to promote high standards of ethical behaviour amongst European affairs professionals.
- Money? The link between money and influence is always hotly debated, but it is not the case that those dedicating the most money to their lobbying will necessarily be the most influential. Some basic disclosure of financial information is expected at the EU level.
What is the European Transparency Initiative (ETI)?
It is essential that those involved in the process of adopting legislation or developing policy are accountable and responsible. Transparency is one way to ensure the accountability of decision-makers and better law-making.
- The European Commission created a public, online register of interest representatives in 2008.
- Those who seek to influence the EU institutions may register, giving information about their organisation, its interests, any clients it might have and some financial information about its interest representation activities.
- It is open to a broad range of actors including
- public affairs consultancies
- law firms
- non-governmental organisations
- professional associations
- think tanks
- businesses acting on their own behalf
- some public bodies
- Those who register undertake to observe a set of ethical guidelines (code of conduct) concerning any interest representation made toward the EU institutions. Alternatively they can choose to adhere to an equivalent code, such as SEAP’s Code of Conduct.
- The register is voluntary. SEAP has developed its own guidelines about registration.
What development should we expect in the future – the Transparency Register?
The European Parliament and Commission are in the process of creating a joint Transparency Register. This will:
- replace and consolidate the existing Commission and Parliament register, which can be accessed through a common website.
- be up and running near the end of 2011.