Business has spoken out against the “lobbyist” professional standard: why associations do not support the new requirements
26 March 06:25
Leading business associations and representatives of the professional community have spoken out against the introduction of the “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist)” professional standard. In their view, such an initiative could create additional barriers for business and contradicts current Ukrainian legislation.
They outlined their position in a joint statement, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
Why the business community opposes the professional standard for lobbyists
The signatories of the statement emphasize that they support the development of civilized lobbying in Ukraine but believe that the new requirements are premature.
In particular, the business community supports:
- transparent lobbying;
- ethical standards;
- international practices;
- open dialogue between the state and business.
At the same time, business representatives believe that the new professional standard could create artificial barriers to lobbying activities.
What risks does the business community see?
The statement notes that the implementation of the professional standard may entail:
- mandatory specialized training;
- additional certification procedures;
- new qualification requirements.
According to the business community, this could:
- restrict competition;
- create risks of market monopolization;
- make it harder to enter the profession;
- contradict the principles of deregulation.
Is a new standard necessary if there is already a law?
Representatives of business associations point out that Ukraine already has the Law “On Lobbying,” which establishes basic rules for the industry.
The document provides for:
- registration of lobbying entities;
- transparency requirements;
- reporting;
- ethical rules.
According to the signatories of the statement, this is sufficient to regulate the sector at the initial stage.
What international standards did Ukraine take into account
The Lobbying Law was drafted taking into account international practices:
- European Union standards;
- OECD recommendations;
- GRECO recommendations.
These practices focus primarily on transparency, rather than on the professional certification of lobbyists.
What is the business community’s position?
The statement notes that the key task now should not be the creation of new rules, but the effective implementation of the law that has already been adopted.
Business representatives emphasize:
the main task is the effective implementation of existing legislation, not the creation of new regulatory barriers.
Who signed the statement
Among the organizations that supported the statement:
- the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine;
- the European Business Association;
- The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs;
- German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce;
- Ukrainian Lobbying Association;
- Ukrainian Food Retail Alliance;
- Dія.City Residents’ Association;
- Center for Interaction with the Government.
What the business community proposes instead of new requirements
The signatories of the statement noted that they remain open to dialogue with the government regarding the development of the lobbying sector.
They advocate for:
- a transparent regulatory system;
- equal access conditions;
- the absence of unnecessary bureaucracy;
- a balance between oversight and freedom of activity.
What this discussion means
The discussion of professional standards for lobbyists is part of the development of a new regulatory framework in Ukraine, linked to anti-corruption reforms and European integration.
Experts believe that the key issue now is to find a balance between transparency and the absence of excessive regulation.
