Ethical Best Practice 

The European Commission's line of conduct with regard to interest groups was officially expressed in a Communication dated 2 December, 1992: "An open and structured dialogue between the Commission and special interest groups".

The Commission feels that special interest groups are best placed to establish codes of conduct which should include Guiding Principles within a minimum set of standards (Annex II of the Communication).

As a result,  a code of conduct    was agreed with Public Affairs practitioners and posted on the Internet. It calls on professionals to act in an honest, responsible and courteous manner at all times. Two sets of signatories are accessible from the Europa server: the Public Affairs Practitioners (PAP) list and those adhering to the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP). 
The 1992 Communication also suggested creating a single directory of interest groups, intended as a reference tool, not a means of accreditation. The information is provided on a voluntary basis. The directory, which is on the internet, is called CONECCS (Consultation, the European Commission and Civil Society) and includes approximately 700 associations. The Commission stresses that the inclusion does not constitute an official recognition.

Other useful directories of EU affairs stakeholders exist outside the EU institutions, which tend to be more up to date and broader. These include:

- Landmarks European Public Affairs Directory,  print product, cost: 109 Euro, 
-  Euroconfidentiel's Directory of EU Information Sources   , print product, cost: 213 Euro, 
- EurActiv's own  Guide to 10 000 EU Actors  , available online for free and including links to national chapters of European confederations. 

The European Parliament also has rules governing the conduct of interest groups seeking access to Members of Parliament. Known as Annex IX to the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament, 

Article 3    calls on lobbyists to present their interests clearly and refrain from unethical behaviour, for fear of losing their pass to the EP.