Text of Code

This code of conduct applies to public affairs practitioners dealing with EU Institutions. Our work as public affairs professionals contributes to a healthy democratic process, acting as a link between the world of business and civil society and European policy-makers. The signatories to this code are all committed to abide by it, acting in an honest, responsible and courteous manner at all times and seeking to apply the highest professional standards.

(a) identify themselves by name and by company;
(b) declare the interest represented;
(c) neither intentionally misrepresent their status nor the nature of their inquiries to officials of the EU institutions nor create any false impression in relation thereto;
(d) neither directly nor indirectly misrepresent links with EU institutions;
(e) honour confidential information given to them;
(f) not disseminate false or misleading information knowingly or recklessly and shall exercise proper care to avoid doing so inadvertently;
(g) not sell for profit to third parties copies of documents obtained from EU institutions;
(h) not obtain information from EU institutions by dishonest means;
(i) avoid any professional conflicts of interest;
(j) neither directly nor indirectly offer nor give any financial inducement to:
- any EU official, nor
- Member of the European Parliament, nor
- their staff;
(k) neither propose nor undertake any action which would constitute an improper influence on them;
(l) only employ EU personnel subject to the rules and confidentiality requirements of the EU institutions;

All signatories agree that they and all employees of their company will adhere to the above Code, and be subject to the disciplinary rules of EPACA (as set out in the Statutes and Internal Regulations, extract attached) in case of breach of the Code. The signatories will meet annually to review this code.

I hereby subscribe to the above code (name, signature & date):
on behalf of (firm):
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:

Please return to EPACA, (see contact details)

The code of conduct (click for a copy)