Business associations and the professional community are opposing the introduction of a professional standard for ‘lobbyists’

25/ 03/ 2026

Listen to online Stop   The business associations and representatives of the professional community who have signed this statement consistently support the development of the lobbying institution in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of transparency, ethics, and integrity. We advocate for the implementation of best international practices and the establishment of an open dialogue between business and government. At the same time, we express our concern regarding the initiative to develop a professional standard entitled “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist)”, which provides for the introduction of new mandatory requirements for lobbying entities, including specialised training and additional qualification procedures. Such measures would create artificial barriers to engaging in lobbying activities. The institution of lobbying in Ukraine is only just taking shape following the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” No. 3606-IX (the Law). The Law has established a comprehensive and sufficient regulatory framework that aligns with international standards (OECD, EU, GRECO). It was developed and adopted, inter alia, as part of Ukraine’s commitments within the European integration process, aimed at ensuring transparency in interactions between public authorities and stakeholders in the context of rule-making activities. This approach, drawing in particular on European Union practices, does not imply the need for mandatory professional standards or certification for lobbyists, instead placing emphasis on the transparency of lobbying activities. It is also important to underline that the current legislation already contains the necessary safeguards and oversight mechanisms. In particular, the requirement to register in the Transparency Register ensures that lobbying entities operate within the legal framework, comply with established rules, reporting requirements, and ethical standards set out by law. Therefore, the key priority at this stage should be the effective implementation of the existing legislation, rather than the introduction of new regulatory instruments, which are neither provided by the Law nor consistent with its underlying principles. Accordingly, the professional community does not support the adoption of the “Lobbyist” professional standard, as it is inappropriate at the current stage of development of the lobbying institution, is not envisaged by the Law, and contradicts its regulatory concept. Moreover, it creates additional barriers for businesses and civil society organisations, carries risks of restricting competition and potential market monopolisation, and effectively introduces new regulatory requirements beyond the scope of legislation, contrary to the principles of deregulation. In light of the above, the united business community considers the development of such a professional standard and the introduction of additional requirements to be unacceptable and inconsistent with the current stage of development of the lobbying market in Ukraine, as well as detrimental to its foundations. We remain open to dialogue and cooperation on building an effective, transparent, and balanced system of lobbying regulation in Ukraine, based on the principles of openness, integrity, and equal access. This statement is open for signature by other lobbying entities that support equal and independent working conditions in the lobbying sector. Signatories: American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham Ukraine) Diia.City Union (Public Union “Diia City. Residents Association”) Diia.City United (Public Union “Association of Diia City Residents”) European Business Association German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs Ukrainian Association of Tobacco Producers “Ukrtyutyun” Ukrainian Lobbying Association Ukrainian Food Retail Alliance Center of Excellence in Government Relations

The business associations and representatives of the professional community who have signed this statement consistently support the development of the lobbying institution in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of transparency, ethics, and integrity. We advocate for the implementation of best international practices and the establishment of an open dialogue between business and government.

At the same time, we express our concern regarding the initiative to develop a professional standard entitled “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist)”, which provides for the introduction of new mandatory requirements for lobbying entities, including specialised training and additional qualification procedures. Such measures would create artificial barriers to engaging in lobbying activities.

The institution of lobbying in Ukraine is only just taking shape following the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” No. 3606-IX (the Law). The Law has established a comprehensive and sufficient regulatory framework that aligns with international standards (OECD, EU, GRECO). It was developed and adopted, inter alia, as part of Ukraine’s commitments within the European integration process, aimed at ensuring transparency in interactions between public authorities and stakeholders in the context of rule-making activities. This approach, drawing in particular on European Union practices, does not imply the need for mandatory professional standards or certification for lobbyists, instead placing emphasis on the transparency of lobbying activities.

It is also important to underline that the current legislation already contains the necessary safeguards and oversight mechanisms. In particular, the requirement to register in the Transparency Register ensures that lobbying entities operate within the legal framework, comply with established rules, reporting requirements, and ethical standards set out by law.

Therefore, the key priority at this stage should be the effective implementation of the existing legislation, rather than the introduction of new regulatory instruments, which are neither provided by the Law nor consistent with its underlying principles.

Accordingly, the professional community does not support the adoption of the “Lobbyist” professional standard, as it is inappropriate at the current stage of development of the lobbying institution, is not envisaged by the Law, and contradicts its regulatory concept. Moreover, it creates additional barriers for businesses and civil society organisations, carries risks of restricting competition and potential market monopolisation, and effectively introduces new regulatory requirements beyond the scope of legislation, contrary to the principles of deregulation.

In light of the above, the united business community considers the development of such a professional standard and the introduction of additional requirements to be unacceptable and inconsistent with the current stage of development of the lobbying market in Ukraine, as well as detrimental to its foundations.

We remain open to dialogue and cooperation on building an effective, transparent, and balanced system of lobbying regulation in Ukraine, based on the principles of openness, integrity, and equal access.

This statement is open for signature by other lobbying entities that support equal and independent working conditions in the lobbying sector.

Signatories:

• American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham Ukraine)
• Diia.City Union (Public Union “Diia City. Residents Association”)
• Diia.City United (Public Union “Association of Diia City Residents”)
• European Business Association
• German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs
• Ukrainian Association of Tobacco Producers “Ukrtyutyun”
• Ukrainian Lobbying Association
• Ukrainian Food Retail Alliance
• Center of Excellence in Government Relations