Many thousands of people work in Brussels to influence EU legislation. Prior to 21 March 2007, they did not face any binding rules, and there is at present little information to indicate precisely how many of there are and how much money is spent.
Introducing the register, which will be available from Spring 2008, Administration, Audit and Fight against Fraud Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "I hope the lobbying profession will see as an opportunity, rather than a threat - a chance to prove that their business was clean and legitimate."
"All these groups or bodies are invited to register publicly whom they represent and what their objectives are," Kallas added. "They are invited to declare funding sources and major clients. This ensures the Commission as well as the public can identify and assess the driving forces behind positions taken and interests presented."
While the system will be voluntary, the commissioner explained that only those lobbyists who were registered would be recognised as speaking for clients or a sector of industry when they contribute to comments on EU policy that are taken into account when new legislation is drafted.
Lobbyists who did not register would only be seen as speaking in their own name, undermining the weight of their comments. Those who gave inaccurate information would face sanctions.
The around 22,000 lobbyists working in Brussels will have to disclose information on clients and fees under new European Commission rules. The Commission's blueprint foresees a website run by two EU officials that will list all PR consultancies, in-house corporate staff and public interest NGOs as well as their clients or donors and the fees or budgets they receive to influence EU policy.
Kallas first launched plans for the new lobbyists' register in 2005 as part of a wider transparency initiative also embracing disclosure of receipients from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
But the project was reportedly watered down by Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Single Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson when it started looking "too radical," some veteran campaigners say.
But Kallas told reporters on 21 March: "No watering down has taken place. Of course, we have had discussions, but the concept has remained the same."
