Joint Transparency Register: more signatories than expected

The joint public Transparency Register is being signed by more organisations than expected, and faster. Six months after the European Parliament European Commission established it, the number of signatories is up by over 16%, and 2,700 out of 4,000 on the old Commission register have already transferred to the joint one.

As intended, the register now includes law firms, NGOs and think tanks as well as the traditional lobbyists

On 23 June 2011 the European Parliament and the European Commission established a joint, public Transparency Register to provide more information than before on those who seek to influence European policy.

The new register replaced a previous Commission in use since 2008 and a Parliament list of accredited interest group representatives. The Commission and Parliament are still working with the Council on arrangements for its possible participation.

From early next year, an on-line procedure for organisations and entities on the Joint Transparency Register to apply for access rights to the European Parliament will be operational. This will replace the previous paper-based procedure and should reduce the time needed to process applications. Also, fewer documents will be required.

Meanwhile, representatives of regional, local and municipal authorities directly engaged in institutional dialogue with the European Parliament will be able to obtain access to the Parliament without having to sign the Joint Transparency Register.

Diana Wallis, European Parliament Vice President with specific responsibility for transparency said: "I welcome this progress we have made with the register, which will simplify the registration process and thus encourage our interest representatives to sign up. This in turn can only improve the transparency of our exchanges, and ensure that those on the register will be given privileged access to our institutions."

Bill Newton Dunn, Parliament's Quaestor responsible for the register of lobbyists and long-term visitors' access, welcomed the launch of the new online application: "I believe that after facing some technical difficulties, the launch of the online application system for access badges makes the registration under the Joint Transparency Register even more attractive for the representatives of interest groups. The electronic application process speeds up the accreditation procedure and gets rid of the unnecessary and time consuming paperwork - making it more user- and environment-friendly for all parties concerned."