European Public Affairs Consultancies Association (EPACA)

Summary of the initiative

Name
European Public Affairs Consultancies Association (EPACA)
Objective(s)
Increase transparency and accountability of public affairs consultants.<BR>The European Public Affairs Consultancies Association (EPACA) was formed on 28 January 2005 to formalize the long-standing code of conduct (1993) applying to the lobbying profession and to establish self-regulatory structures for enforcing it.<BR>The Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) adopted a similar code in 2006. EPACA and SEAP roles are different but complementary. EPACA is a representative trade association for professional public affairs consultancies active in the EU marketplace, with a code for which member companies themselves take responsibility on behalf of their staff. SEAP is by individual membership, and includes consultancies, trade associations and corporations. There is some membership overlap.<BR>The EU Transparency Register features a Code of Conduct to which all registrants must sign up. EPACA is registered in the Transparency Register.

Description of the Initiative

    Sector

    Sector

    Commission DG
    Contact Point - Commission
    SG.DSG2.B.4

    Self/Co-Regulation Basic Act

    PRIVATE ACT
    Year
    2005
    Title of Act
    EPACA Code of Conduct

    Geographical Coverage

    Global coverage
    Participating Countries
    Austria

    Description

    Problems that lead to the introduction of Self/Co-Regulation and the adoption of the Founding Act
    Unethical professional behaviors, mainly non disclosure of (possible) conflict of interest (i.e. presenting oneself as independent while working for a party with vested interests), dissemination of misleading information, disclosure of confidential information, misrepresentation of the consultant&#39;s links with EU institutions and (in)direct corruption of public authorities.
    Target Group(s)
    Public affairs consultants.
    Type of Instrument(s)
    Code of conduct.
    Type of Monitoring
    Conduct an initial survey of compliance capacity of future regulateesConduct regular visits and spot checksInitiate complaints proceduresMaintain database of those bounded by the normsProduce regular reportsReceive complaints and verify if norms were breached or notReflexive dialogue with the - stakeholdersOther
    European Commissionyesyesyes
    National public authority
    International public authority
    Private regulator (code owner)
    Private independent party with a mandate (e.g. auditors)
    Self-appointed private parties (e.g. NGOs)
    Succinct description of the type of Monitoring
    List of signatories not available on EPACA website as of June 2007.
    Type of Enforcement
    Faming, shaming and blamingJudicial sanctionsMembership suspension/exclusionPrivate finesOther
    Private Regulatoryes
    Private independent party with a mandate (e.g. auditors)
    Court system
    Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) / Online dispute resolution (ODR)
    Succinct description of the type of Enforcement
    EPACA has disciplinary procedures and a Professional Practices Panel (PPP). EPACA accepts complaints about its members&#39; conduct from any citizen or association/organization on the basis that it is properly substantiated and evidenced. Complaints whether from members or non-members would be dealt with in the same way. Statutes and Internal Regulations not available on EPACA website as of June 2007.

    Downloads

    EPACA - Code of Conduct