Brussels, 27/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - A new version of the transparency register of the Union was launched on Tuesday 27 January, the European Commission and the European Parliament state in a press release, following joint work.
This new version of the register implements the provisions of the revised inter-institutional agreement concluded by the European Parliament and the European Commission in April 2014. The new system changes the way human resources invested in lobbying are declared; it calls for additional information to be provided on participation in committees, fora, inter-groups or similar structures of the EU as well as involvement in legislative dossiers underway; it also extends the obligation to declare the estimated costs related to lobbying activities to all those registering. “Additionally, a streamlined 'alerts & complaints' procedure allows for greater scrutiny and more efficient treatment of allegedly misleading information, and new incentives given to increase the added value of registering, such as a requirement to register for all those seeking to meet with Commissioners, Cabinet members or Directors General or any organisation wishing to speak at hearings organised by the European Parliament”, the Commission goes on to explain.
The new rules are a response to the obligation to implement an agreement signed in April 2014. The Juncker Commission intends to draft its own proposal in 2015 for an obligatory register of representatives of interests, covering the Commission, the Parliament and the Council. Drafting this proposal will be the job of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans.
The NGO Transparency International welcomed these efforts and called on lobbyists to play the game and provide the fullest possible information. However, the NGO criticises the weakness of the “verification mechanisms” in the current voluntary register and the fact that lobbies are not exposed to any real consequences if they do not get properly on board. (SP)