The Transparency register is a database listing ‘interest representatives’ (organisations, associations, groups and self-employed individuals) who carry out activities to influence the EU policy and decision-making process.
It is designed to show the public which interests are being represented at EU level, by whom and on whose behalf – as well as the resources devoted to these activities (including financial support, donations, sponsorship, etc.). The register has the following key features:
- A public website where interest representatives register up to date information about their activities at EU level
- A code of conduct governing how interest representatives should interact with the EU institutions
- A complaints mechanism to enable anyone to trigger an administrative inquiry into alleged cases where registered interest representatives have failed to observe the code.
An open dialogue
The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission are open and transparent in their regular dialogue with interest representatives and civil society.
These EU institutions interact with a wide range of organisations and groups representing specific interests. This is a legitimate and necessary part of the decision-making process, ensuring EU policies reflect society’s real needs.
However, this process must be open, to allow for proper public scrutiny and ensure EU institutions are accountable to European citizens.
The more open the process, the easier it is to ensure balanced representation by all interest groups and avoid undue pressure or privileged access to information or decision-makers for certain parties.
The rules and principles governing the register are set out in an interinstitutional agreement between the Parliament, Council and Commission.