From 1 September, the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” came into force, and the Transparency Register of Lobbyists began operating. For the first time, the state is attempting to regulate what previously took place behind closed doors and illegally: the influence of businesses and various interest groups on government decision-making.
The key aim of the law is to limit corruption by legalising the lobbying services market and introducing transparent mechanisms for business influence on public authorities in the process of law-making.
From now on those who wish to promote the interests of businesses or certain sectors must do so openly: by registering, reporting their expenses and recording their appeals to members of parliament and government officials. This process will be monitored by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP).
The adoption of the law stems from Ukraine’s commitments under the Association Agreement, aimed at creating an “anti-oligarchic infrastructure”. Fulfilling these commitments has become critically important after Ukraine obtained EU candidate status. As a result, the drafting of this legislation was envisaged within the Measures for the Implementation of the State Anti-Corruption Programme for 2023–2025.
Businesses interested in legal and transparent influence on decision-making in the state will be able to officially appeal to MPs, ministers, or other law-making bodies. To do this, they must register in the Transparency Register, maintained by the NACP. All appeals and expenses related to lobbying must be reflected in reports, which lobbyists are required to submit to the Register every six months.
Business associations representing the interests of the dairy sector will receive transparent and lawful tools for public influence – the right to submit lobbying requests and to participate in the work of parliamentary committees.
