Deontology

Ethics code of the Association of French Consultants in Lobbying and Publics Affairs

Article 1

The lobbying consultant or the lobbyist advises companies, associations or local governments. He helps them defend their rights and interests when authorities are likely to make decisions impacting them, by diffusing rigorous information reflecting available knowledge.

Exercise of the Profession

Article 2

The lobbying consultant or the person in charge of lobbying and public affairs may operate as individual or as salaried employee within a corporation or association.

Article 3

Any penal or civil condemnation for actions contrary to honour, probity or morals, bans the exercise of the profession.

Article 4

Practising lobbying consultancy is strictly incompatible with :

- Any elective office at either national or European Union level;
- Any employment in a ministerial cabinet, in the Parliament, or any function as a civil servant in national, European, or international administration.

Article 5

When employing former officials of national or international institutions, the lobbying consultant shall comply with the rules and regulations in force.

Article 6

The lobbying consultant recommends the implementation of the necessary means to reach his clients and employers’ goals. He takes part in the process as far as agreed with his clients and employers. He is committed to provide adequate resources.

Dealing with Authorities

Article 7

When dealing with national and international institutions, the lobbying consultant shall be open and transparent in declaring his identity and the interests he represents.

Article 8

The lobbying consultant shall declare his clients and employers identity to the office of each parliamentary, national and European assembly, since he is requested to do so.

Article 9

The lobbying consultant is committed to observing the rules of procedures of national, European and international representative bodies.

Article 10

The lobbying consultant respects the rules in force to obtain and to diffuse official documents. He prohibits himself from distributing these documents with a profit-seeking goal.

Regulations

Article 11

The lobbying consultant undertakes to inform his employers or clients in the event of a conflict of interest likely to happen regarding similar or competitive objectives.

Article 12

Given the strategic nature of the files, the lobbying consultant must guarantee confidentiality.

Article 13

The lobbying consultant shall inform his clients if their objectives contravene good business practice or current regulations and legislation.

Article 14

Companies, associations or local governments that use the services of lobbying consultants undertake to provide them with the most honest and accurate information available.

Article 15

Any member of the AFCL commits himself to respect the principles stated in this charter in all assignments he undertakes.