Business associations and representatives of the professional community who signed this statement consistently support the development of the lobbying institution in Ukraine, based on the principles of transparency, ethics, and integrity. We advocate for the implementation of best international practices and the formation of an open dialogue between business and the state.
Position of the business community
At the same time, we express concern regarding the initiative to develop a professional standard titled “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist),” which provides for the introduction of new mandatory requirements for lobbyists, including specialized training and additional qualification procedures, which creates additional artificial barriers to engaging in such activities.
Arguments
The institution of lobbying in Ukraine is only being formed following the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” No. 3606-IX (the Law). The Law created a comprehensive and sufficient regulatory framework that meets international standards (OECD, EU, GRECO) and was developed and adopted, in particular, within the framework of Ukraine’s commitments in the process of European integration to ensure transparency in interactions between representatives of public authorities and interested parties in the context of rule-making activities. This approach, borrowed in particular from the practices of the European Union, does not imply the need to introduce mandatory professional standards or certification for lobbyists, focusing instead on the transparency of the use of lobbying tools.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that current legislation already contains the necessary safeguards and control instruments. In particular, the obligation to register in the Transparency Register ensures that lobbying entities operate within the legal framework, comply with established rules, reporting requirements, and ethical standards provided for by law.
Therefore, the key task at this stage is the effective implementation of existing legislation, rather than the introduction of new regulatory instruments that are not предусмотрені by the Law and that distort the essence of the approaches embedded in it.
Thus, the professional community does not support the adoption of the professional standard “lobbyist”, as it is inappropriate under the current conditions of the formation of the lobbying institution, is not provided for by the Law, and contradicts the regulatory concept embedded in it. Moreover, it creates additional barriers for businesses and public associations, contains risks of restricting competition and potential market monopolization, and effectively introduces new regulatory requirements outside the legal framework, which contradicts the principles of deregulation.
Business proposals
In view of this, the united business community considers the development of a professional standard and the introduction of additional requirements unacceptable and inconsistent with the current stage of development of the lobbying market in Ukraine, as well as violating its foundations.
We remain open to dialogue and cooperation on forming an effective, transparent, and balanced system of lobbying regulation in Ukraine, based on the principles of openness, integrity, and equal access.
This statement is open for signing by other lobbying entities that support equal and independent working conditions in the field of lobbying.
Signatories:
- American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham Ukraine)
- Public association “Diia.City Residents’ Association”
- European Business Association
- German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce
- Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs
- Ukrainian Tobacco Products Manufacturers Association “Ukrtyutyun”
- Ukrainian Lobbying Association
- Ukrainian Food Retail Alliance
- Center of Excellence in Government Relations