The Ombudsman has asked the EU Transparency Register’s Secretariat to carry out more thorough and meaningful investigations when it comes to public complaints concerning alleged breaches of the code of conduct by registered organisations.

The EU’s Transparency Register enables the public to follow the activities of interest representatives seeking to influence EU policies and decision making. Registration is also a precondition for meetings with the EU institutions.

The Ombudsman found maladministration following an inquiry concerning how the Secretariat handled complaints alleging that two organisations had failed to disclose their links with the food industry and with each other, as well as the sources of their funding. While it did ask for clarifications from the two organisations—a consultancy firm and an association—during its investigation, it carried out a limited assessment of the replies it received. It also applied a narrow definition of ‘affiliation’ when examining the links between the two.

The Ombudsman suggested that, during future investigations, the Secretariat should seek to verify information that is doubtful or uncertain through independent sources. It should also ask registrants for additional information when needed.

Furthermore, the Secretariat should ensure clear guidance when it comes to determining whether different organisations are affiliated. Affiliation should be understood in a broad sense that covers all situations where registrants have a clear and relevant relationship with another entity.

In her findings, the Ombudsman emphasised the important role the public plays in identifying inaccurate or incomplete information in the Transparency Register. Given that the Secretariat does not have the means to monitor all the information it receives from registrants, it is especially important that it properly investigate the public complaints it receives.