Understanding Public Affairs and Transparency in the EU
What is Public Affairs
Public affairs connects policymakers with the stakeholders affected by their decisions.
It helps decision-makers understand how policies work in practice and enables organisations to contribute expertise, evidence and perspectives to the policy debate.
When carried out responsibly, public affairs is a legitimate form of political participation that contributes to better policy outcomes. It supports informed debate and helps ensure that public policy reflects societal needs and preferences.
Public affairs is a strategic discipline.
Organisations engage through in-house teams and specialised consultancies. Consultancies provide strategic advice, helping clients navigate political and regulatory developments, assess risks and opportunities, and support their engagement with policymakers in a structured, responsible and transparent manner. They are not access brokers or transactional intermediaries, but advisers supporting informed and constructive participation in the policy process.
Transparency
Transparency is essential to public affairs.
It ensures that policymakers can clearly see who is engaging in the policy process, on whose behalf, and with what interests. This clarity supports accountability, trust and informed engagement.
Transparency measures should not be reduced to a box-ticking exercise that increases administrative burden without delivering real societal value or strengthening trust.
When applied in a meaningful and proportionate way, transparency is not a constraint on public affairs, but rather a condition for it to function properly.
For EPACA members, transparency is not merely a matter of compliance.
It is part of our professional responsibility and a license to operate. Acting with honesty, integrity, confidentiality and openness supports long-term credibility and constructive dialogue with EU policymakers.
To support its members, EPACA has developed a transparency rulebook that provides a comprehensive overview of the key rules and policies applicable to public affairs consultancies when engaging with EU institutions.
The transparency rulebook is regularly updated to reflect the rules and policies currently in force.
Code of Conduct
The EPACA Code of Conduct sets out the ethical and professional standards for public affairs consultancies operating in EU affairs.
It provides a practical framework for responsible conduct, transparency and integrity in interactions with policymakers and clients.
The Code is binding on all EPACA members and underpins the credibility of the public affairs profession as a whole. Adopted in 2005, the Code is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains relevant in light of political developments and technological change affecting the public affairs sector.
EPACA enforces its Code of Conduct through a clear and structured process. Where a potential breach is identified, the EPACA Board may decide to initiate an investigation and appoint an independent law firm to assess compliance with the Code. Based on the findings, the Board decides on appropriate measures, which may include guidance, formal sanctions or termination of membership, depending on the severity of the breach.
Discover the Code of Conduct e-tool
This interactive tool provides practical information and describes scenarios that will help you better understand the Code and how to adhere to it in real life situations.
EPACA Code of Conduct
EPACA’s Code of Conduct defines the ethical and professional standards expected from all member companies. It is structured around three core categories, each representing a pillar of responsible public affairs practice.
Transparency and Public Engagement
EPACA members engage with policymakers and stakeholders in a transparent, honest and responsible manner.
Identification and disclosure: Identification and disclosure Members clearly identify themselves, their organisation and the interests they represent when engaging with policymakers, public officials or other stakeholders.
Transparency Register: Members register in the EU Transparency Register and ensure that the information provided is accurate, complete and kept up to date.
Accuracy of information: Members provide information that is accurate and do not knowingly disseminate misleading, incomplete or deceptive information.Members provide information that is accurate and do not knowingly disseminate misleading, incomplete or deceptive information.
Honest representation: Members do not misrepresent their identity, professional role or the interests they represent, and do not claim formal or informal relationships with EU institutions and other public authorities where no such relationship exists.
Respect for institutional rules: Members respect the rules, procedures and codes of conduct governing interactions with EU institutions and other public authorities.
Integrity and Professional Standards
EPACA members uphold high standards of integrity and professionalism in the conduct of their work.
Professional integrity: Members conduct their activities with honesty, professionalism and respect for democratic institutions and processes.
Conflicts of interest: Members avoid conflicts of interest and, where they arise, disclose and manage them responsibly.
Confidentiality: Members respect the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of their professional activities, in accordance with applicable laws and professional obligations.
Responsible use of information: Members use information responsibly and do not exploit confidential or privileged information improperly.
Responsible use of technology and AI: Members use digital tools and artificial intelligence responsibly. AI-generated content must undergo human oversight, review and verification, and AI must not be used to generate misleading or deceptive content.
No improper influence: Members do not offer, promise or give financial or other incentives to public officials in order to improperly influence decision-making.
Employment of former public officials: Members respect applicable rules and ethical standards governing the employment of former public officials.
Compliance with competition law: Members conduct their activities in compliance with applicable competition law and avoid conduct that could restrict fair competition.
Professional responsibility towards clients: Members advise clients in a manner consistent with this Code and applicable transparency rules and decline assignments that would require conduct inconsistent with these standards.
Compliance, Enforcement and Promotion
EPACA members commit to ensuring that the principles of this Code are actively upheld and promoted.
Internal implementation: Members ensure that employees and representatives involved in public affairs activities are aware of and adhere to this Code.
Training and awareness: Members promote awareness of ethical public affairs practices within their organisations and ensure that staff receive appropriate guidance and training.
Cooperation with EPACA: Members cooperate with EPACA in relation to the implementation and enforcement of this Code.
Enforcement: Breaches of this Code may be subject to review and disciplinary measures in accordance with EPACA’s Internal Procedures and Guidelines.
Promotion of ethical standards: Members support the promotion of high standards of transparency, integrity and professionalism across the public affairs profession and encourage clients and partners to adhere to similar principles.