Building a Framework for Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Lobbying

This chapter presents key building blocks that provide decision makers with guidance to meet public expectations for transparency, accountability, integrity and efficacy when considering, developing, debating and implementing legislation or government regulations for enhancing transparency and accountability in lobbying. The building blocks address a series of interrelated issues that might logically guide the development of a comprehensive legislative or regulatory framework for enhancing transparency and accountability in lobbying, including: ? Developing standards and rules that adequately address public concerns, conform to the socio-political and administrative context, and are also consistent with the wider regulatory framework. ? Ensuring that the framework’s scope properly reflects public concerns and suitably defines the actors and activities covered in order to establish enforceable standards and rules. ? Establishing standards and procedures for disclosing information on key aspects of lobbying such as its intent, beneficiaries and targets. ? Setting enforceable standards of conduct for fostering a culture of integrity in lobbying. ? Enhancing the efficacy of legislation or regulation by putting in place a coherent spectrum of strategies and practices for supporting implementation and securing compliance.