Lobbying

Why does lobbying get so much attention?
Interest groups that make efforts to influence government decisions are commonplace in modern democracies. Lobbying can improve policy making by providing valuable insights and data, but it can also result in unfair advantages for vested interests if processes are opaque. 

With the financial and economic crisis – massive government bailouts and stimulus packages, efforts to re-write regulations and formulate exit strategies – the stakes of lobbying are higher than ever. Increased transparency and integrity in lobbying are needed to safeguard public decision making.

How is the OECD making a difference?

The OECD reviews experiences and lessons learned from existing regulation in order to support evidence-based policy debate on how to enhance transparency, accountability and integrity in lobbying.
 

Some recent publications which presents findings of OECD comparative analysis on lobbying are:

• Lobbyists, Government and Public Trust, Volume 1: Increasing Transparency through Legislation examines current approaches, models, trends and state-of-the-art solutions to support a deeper understanding of the potential and limitations of existing legislation and government regulations.‪ ‪
  
  The report presents the building blocks to develop a framework for lobbying that meets public expectations for transparency, accountability and integrity. Country chapters offer specific insight on the evolution of lobbying legislation and its impact in Canada – at both the federal and provincial levels – and Poland.
  
• Lobbyists, Government and Public Trust, Volume 2:  Promoting Integrity by Self-regulation reviews experience of measures applied by lobbyist associations and the private sector for promoting integrity and transparency in lobbying.
  
  It includes the results of a unique survey of lobbyists' attitude in Europe that highlight how existing measures function.
  

In October 2009, the OECD launched a consultation on the draft Principles for Transparency and Integrity in Lobbying. These Principles support decision makers with directions and guidance, in particular when the policy debate calls for a timely response.

They  were developed on the basis of reviewed experiences and lessons learned at both central and sub-national levels of government.

The Principles reflect country experiences with diverse socio-political and administrative contexts in both OECD and non-member countries.

• Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust: Building a Legislative Framework for Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Lobbying (2008)
• Special session on Lobbying June 2007
• Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust: Building a Legislative Framework for Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Lobbying
  
  

For further information, please contact Mr. János Bertók at janos.bertok@oecd.org.

Permanent URL: www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/lobbying