On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing harmonised requirements in the internal market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937
A-10-2025-0208
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: Adina Vălean
- Voted on · Adopted 392–88–133 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2023/0463
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive sets harmonised minimum transparency requirements for interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries in the EU internal market.¶¶ It defines interest representation activities and services, requires registration in national registers, and establishes a central public access portal for cross-border transparency.¶¶¶ It includes safeguards to prevent stigmatisation, protect fundamental rights, and allow exemptions from publication in justified cases.¶¶¶ It sets rules on record-keeping, sanctions, and cooperation among national authorities, and requires the Commission to evaluate the directive's effectiveness.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection proposes to amend the Commission proposal to introduce minimum harmonisation, add safeguards against stigmatisation, and establish a central public access portal.¶¶¶
Key points
- The directive applies to interest representation services provided to third-country sponsors and to comparable in-house activities by entities controlled by such sponsors.¶¶
- It excludes diplomatic activities, legal advice and representation, media services, and activities by civil society organisations promoting public interest, unless provided as a service.¶¶¶
- Entities must register before starting activities in the Member State where they are established or, if not established in the EU, where their legal representative is located.¶¶
- Registration is free of charge, can be done electronically, and requires only the information listed in Annex I; Member States may keep additional non-personal data requirements if justified.¶¶¶
- Registered entities receive a unique European Interest Representation Number and must update changes to contact details without undue delay.¶¶
- The Commission will establish a central public access portal interconnecting national registers, with a search service in all EU languages.¶
- Entities may request an exemption from publication of certain information if they demonstrate a risk of violation of fundamental rights; authorities may also grant exemptions ex officio.¶¶¶
- Supervisory authorities must act independently and without discrimination, and must ensure no adverse consequences or stigmatisation arise from registration.¶¶¶
- Authorities may request additional information from entities receiving over EUR 1 000 000 annually from a single third-country sponsor or where a third country spends over certain thresholds.¶¶
- Sanctions for infringements must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive, and may include temporary suspension or withdrawal of registration; a prior warning is required except for circumvention.¶¶¶
- Member States must transpose the directive within eighteen months of its entry into force.¶
Who is affected
- Entities providing interest representation services on behalf of third countries, including consultancies, think tanks, and civil society organisations, must register and comply with transparency rules.¶¶¶
- Third-country sponsors, including governments and entities they control, are subject to transparency requirements for their representation activities in the EU.¶¶
- Subcontractors are exempt from registration if the main contractor includes required information in contracts.¶
- Member States' national authorities are responsible for maintaining registers, supervising compliance, and cooperating across borders.¶¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 1 000 000 annual amount from a single third-country sponsor triggers possible additional information requests.¶
- Requests for information must be answered within 15 working days.¶
- Registration requests must be processed within 5 working days.¶
- Records must be kept for four years after the activity ceases.¶¶
- Member States have eighteen months from entry into force to transpose the directive.¶
Legal basis: Article 114 and Article 294 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶¶