European Union lobbying

The first step towards specialised regulation of lobbying in the European Union was a Written Question tabled by Alman Metten, in 1989.

In 1991, Marc Galle, Chairman of the Committee on the Rules of Procedure, the Verification of Credentials and Immunities, was appointed to submit proposals for a Code of conduct and a register of lobbyists.

The institutions shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action.

The European Commission shall carry out broad consultations with parties concerned in order to ensure that the Union's actions are coherent and transparent.

'[6] As soon as the European Commission envisages a new political Initiative or a revision of already consisting legislation, in most cases a public consultation will be held in order to gather important information.

Individuals, companies and organisations, who are interested in the subject or who are able to provide expertise regarding the issue, can supply valuable information on what to consider and how to formulate the legislative proposal.

These include law firms, trade and professional associations, non-governmental-organisations (NGOs) and organisations which represent interests of local, regional or communal authorities and other public institutions.

Moreover, during the process of registration the applicant must provide certain information which is published on the website of the Transparency Register by the European Union.

Amending its Rules of Procedure, the Parliament stipulated that MEPs involved in drafting and negotiating legislation must publish online their meetings with lobbyists.

[16] The amendment says that 'rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs or committee chairs shall, for each report, publish online all scheduled meetings with interest representatives falling under the scope of the Transparency Register'-database of the EU.

Recommendations, opinions, or communications serve to publicize the views of EU institutions without imposing legal obligations on the concerned parties.

Article 294 TFEU outlines the ordinary legislative procedure, now the most crucial tool in Union policy decision-making.

Wiertzstraat in Brussels. This 'lobby tree' in front of the main entrance of the European Parliament was planted in 2001 at the initiative of SEAP, the professional organisation of lobbyists.
The top of a row of copper nameplates on Schumanplein. In the heart of the Brussels lobby world, where several thousands of EU lobbyists operate, Dutch companies, non-profit organisations, pension insurers, consultants and banking organisations have rented an office space from which they undertake their lobbying activities.
Wikimania 2009 , results of the discussion about possible contents of European lobbying