Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Change 9

ChangedRecital 11 b (new): (11b) Certain other jurisdictionscountries have taken a different,different disproportionate,approach discriminatoryto andthat unjustifiedof approach,the Union, which the Union has consistently condemned consistently.as Thatdisproportionate, approachdiscriminatory hasand takenunjustified. theThat formapproach consists of adopting laws that unduly restrict civic space by intimidating and stigmatising civil society organisations (CSOs),organisations, journalists and human rights defenders in an attempt to curtail their activities. The labelling of targeted organisations as ‘foreign agent’ in accordance withunder such laws seeks to undermine their financial stability and their credibility. In contrast to such ‘foreign agent laws’, this Directive shoulddoes not negatively label the activities of specific entities, including CSOs,civil society organisations, nor shoulddoes it seek to limit civic space. Instead, it should provideprovides for transparency and democratic accountability requirements applicable to all entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of third countries, regardless of their legal status.countries. Furthermore, this Directive shoulddoes not ban any type of activity or require transparency of funding that is unrelated to interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries. This Directive should therefore does not cover entities whichthat receive financial support from other Member States, or from third country entities for purposes unrelated to interest representation activities within the meaning of this Directive.

Change 10

ChangedRecital 11 c (new): (11c) The measures set out in this Directive should beare proportionate and limited to what is necessary to ensure transparency of a specific set of activities, namely interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries. They should provide for requirements related to those activities, anddo not imposeimpose, therefore, requirements on entities merely because they receive funding from abroad. ThisIn Directiveview shouldof the need to focus on increased transparency when entities carry out interest representation activities on behalf of third countries in the internal market. In particular,market, this Directive sets out obligations to ensure that the data made publicly available is presented in a factual and neutral way and to ensure that competent national authorities act in such a way that no adverse consequence, such as stigmatisation, arises from the fact that an entity has registered in accordance with the rules provided for by this Directive. The measures set outprovisions inof this Directive should fully comply with fundamental rights and respect the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘the Charter’), including the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of assembly and association, the freedom of scientific research, including academic freedom, the right to the protection of personal data, the right to an effective remedy and the freedom to conduct a business. By achieving a common level of transparency in relation to interest represen…representation carried out on behalf of a third country, the measures set out in this Directive strengthens the democratic rights of citiz…

Change 11

RemovedMoved from Recital 14 with some modifications.

AddedRecital 12: (12) Covert interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries are capable of affecting the development, formulation or implementation of the Union’s and its Member States' internal and external policies, including regarding its economic and security interests. This affects democracy more generally, which is a common value of the Union, the securing of which is of fundamental importance to the Union and its Member States. Providing for a harmonised level of transparency across the Union regarding such activities should contribute to enhancing public trust in the Union’s and Member States’ decision-making processes.

Change 12

RemovedMoved as Recital 11c with some modifications.

AddedRecital 14 a (new): (14a) In order to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to further safeguard the integrity and impartiality of the development, formulation and implementation of policies, law or public decision-making processes in the Union, individuals who have exercised high-level public functions, including holding government office or a parliamentary mandate, should not engage in interest representation activities on behalf of third countries before a sufficient and appropriate cooling-off period has elapsed.

RemovedRecital 16: (16) In order to harmonise transparency requirements and ensure their correct application, it is necessary to provide for a common and exhaustive definition of interest representation. It should cover activities carried out with the objective of providing information, knowledge or expertise in the context of development, formulation or implementation of policy or legislation, or public decision-making processes.

AddedRecital 15: (15) The harmonised transparency requirements of this Directive should not affect national rules on interest representation activities for entities other than third country entities, nor should they affect the substantive content of such activities nor the substantive rules applicable to public officials when they interact with entities carrying out interest representation activities.

Change 13

ChangedRecital 17:16: (17)(16) In order to determine a link betweenharmonise theminimum servicestransparency providedrequirements and interestensure representationtheir activities,correct accountapplication, shouldit beis takennecessary ofto allprovide relevantfor factors,a suchcommon asand theexhaustive contentdefinition of the activity, the contextinterest inrepresentation. whichTo itensure isthe conducted,correct itsapplication objective,of the meansharmonised bytransparency whichrequirements, itthe isconcept carriedof out,interest orrepresentation whetheractivities theshould activityhave isa partbroad ofmeaning. aIt systematicshould orcover sustainedactivities campaign.carried Theout activitieswith coveredthe shouldobjective notof beinfluencing limitedthe todevelopment, activitiesformulation withor theimplementation objectiveof topolicy promoteor alegislation, changeor inpublic adecision-making givenprocesses, policy,including legislationby orimpacting public decision-makingopinion, processin butthe shouldUnion alsoand coverits activitiesMember aimingStates, toincluding maintainat theregional statusand quo.local levels.

Change 14

AddedRecital 17: (17) In order to determine the existence of a clear and substantial link between the services provided and the interest representation activities, account should be taken of all relevant factors, such as the content of the activity, the context in which it is conducted, its objective, the means by which it is carried out, or whether the activity is part of a systematic or sustained campaign. The activities covered should not be limited to activities with the objective to promote a change in a given policy, legislation or public decision-making process but should also cover activities aiming to maintain the status quo.

Change 15

ChangedRecital 19: (19) In accordance with the principle of academic freedom and freedom of scientific research, enshrined in Article 13 of the Charter, interest representation should not cover research pursued by researchers in a subject of their choice, the dissemination of the findings of that research, or teaching and education activities that are conducted in accordance with the principle of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The carryingCarrying out such activities should, therefore, not give rise to registration requirements under this Directive.

Change 16

ChangedRecital 20: (20) Activities carried out by officials of third country governments that are connected with the exercise of official authority, including activities related to the exercise of diplomatic relations between States or international organisations, such as those related to the functions referred to in Article 3 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, should be excluded from the scope of this Directive. This Directive should also not cover activities carried out by lawyers consisting of the provision of legal advice or the representation in legal, conciliation or mediation proceedings of third country entities and safeguarding their fundamental rights, such as the right to be heard, the right to a fair trial, and the right of defence. Professional advice other than legal advice should also be outside the scope of this Directive, such as procuring a professional or expert study to serve as evidence in support of arguments in court; getting technical or scientific advice on complying with technical legislation or using mediation services of a professional as mediators who are not necessarily certified lawyers. Ancillary activities such as catering, the provision of a venue, the printing of brochures or policy papers, or the provision of online intermediary services within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2022/20653 ,2022/2065, such as online platforms services, should not be covered by this Directive.

Change 17

ChangedRecital 23: (23) The government or authorities of a third country may be behind the decision of an entity to seek interest representation. This may be as a result of control exercised by the government or public authorities of a third country over the entity,entity. inIn particularorder whereto itdetermine haswhether an entity is ultimately controlled by a decisivesponsor, influenceit onis thatnecessary entityto throughtake economicinto rights,account contractualthe arrangements,factual orand anylegal othercontext means.in Itwhich mayit alsooperates, resultthe fromrights situationsexercised whereover ait by third countryparties, governmentits orcontractual authoritiesobligations wereand behindany theother decisionfactors ofwhich, theseparately entity,or in particularcombination, byindicate givingthat, instructionssomeone oris directives.able Into orderexercise todecisive captureinfluence suchover instances,it. Such factual and legal elements may originate, in particular, from ownership, from the conceptright ofto thirduse countryall entitiesor actingpart asof sponsorthe assets of interestan representationentity, activitiesor shouldfrom berights understoodor ascontracts coveringwhich notconfer onlydecisive theinfluence centralon governmentthe andcomposition, publicvoting authoritiesor decisions of thirdthe countriesorgans butof alsoan publicentity, or privaterights entities,allowing includinga Uniondecisive citizensimpact andover legalfinancial personsor establishedstrategic inpolicies. theThese Union,elements whoseshould actionscollectively canrepresent beways ultimatelyin attributedwhich a sponsor is able to thatguide thirdthe country.strategic Whetherdirection or the actionsmajor ofdecisions aof publican orentity. privateControl entitymay arealso toresult befrom attributedsituations towhere a third country government or authority shouldauthorities bewere determinedbehind onthe adecision case-by-caseof basisthe withentity, duein regardparticular toby elementsgiving suchinstructions asor thedirectives. characteristicsIn oforder theto relevantcapture entitysuch andinstances, the legalconcept andof economicthird environmentcountry prevailingentities inacting theas thirdsponsor countryof ininterest whichrepresentation theactivities entityshould operates,be includingunderstood theas government’scovering rolenot inonly the economycentral ofgovernment thatand country.public aut…

Change 18

ChangedRecital 25: (25) This Directive should not cover activities supporting or aligned with the interests of a third country but without any link to that third country. This includes activities that constitute a manifestation of the freedom of expression and of the freedom to impart and receive information and ideas, or a manifestation of academic freedom, such as activities carried out by natural persons acting in a personal capacity, or journalists working for third country media whose actions cannot be attributed to a third country or do not qualify as interest representation as defined by this Directive. The provision of media services as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2024/10832024/10834 of the European Parliament and of the Council4Council and the provision of audiovisual media services as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council5 will not fall within the scope of application of this Directive. / 4 Regulation (EU) 2024/1083of2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024establishing2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market (European Media Freedom Act) and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (OJ L2024/1083,L 17.4.2024,2024/1083, p.17.4.2024, XX,ELI: ELI:http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1083/ojhttp://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1083/oj ).

Change 19

ChangedRecital 27: (27) The Court has held that the essential characteristic of remuneration lies in the fact that it constitutes considerationconsideration, namely a specific payment or remuneration, for the services in question. Contributions to an organisation, including in particular civil society organisations, such as contributions to its core funding or similar financial supportsupport, for example provided under a third country donor grant scheme, should not be considered as remuneration for an interest representation service where they are unrelated to an interest representation activity, that is, where the entity would receive such funding regardless of whether it carries out specific interest representation activities.

Change 20

ChangedRecital 31: (31) In order to support accountability and promote awareness of the third country interests they represent, entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of a third country sponsor should be required to keep certain information. These records should include a description of the entity'spurpose mainof goals,the itsinterest remitrepresentation activity, in particular the decision-making process it seeks to influence and itsthe fieldsresult ofit interest.seeks to obtain. Records should also include the identity of the third country sponsor, which in cases where the sponsor is a natural person should be understood as the natural person’s full name. They should also include copies of contracts,contracts and financial arrangements behind the interest representation activity, as well as information or material constituting a key component of the activity, such as position papers shared with public officials.

Change 21

ChangedRecital 34: (34) In order to provide for harmonised minimum transparency requirements across the internal market, entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of a third country sponsor should be required to register in national registers of a Member State where their main place of establishment is situated or where they carry onout interest representation activities. These registers should be set up, operated and maintained by the Member States. Subsequent updates to an existing registration should also take place in that national register. These registers should be set up, operated and maintained by the Member States. Member States may make use of their existing national registers for the purpose of this Directive, provided that the requirements of this Directive are complied with. In order to respect national divisions of competence, Member States should be entitled to set up more than one such registers.registers, which should be interoperable. In such cases, Member States should establish rules indicating in which national register entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of third countries should register. Logs of personal data processing activities within the national registers should not be kept longer than necessary to monitor the lawfulness of access to personal data and should therefore be limited to a year.

Change 22

ChangedRecital 35: (35) The use of digital tools developed within the internal market by the Commission and the Member States enhances transparency and trust in the cross-border provision of services and limits administrative burdens, by allowing coordination, cooperation and communication between the relevant national authorities. Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council6 ,Council, information on the registration obligations and formalities established by this Directive should be available via the Single Digital Gateway which, through the Your Europe web portal, sets up a one-stop shop that provides businesses and citizens with information about rules and procedures in the Single Market, at all levels of government and direct, centralised, and guided access to assistance and problem-solving services as well as to a wide range of fully digitised administrative procedures. In addition, the procedure for registration should be fully online and organised in accordance with the ‘once only’ principle to facilitate the reuse of data.

Change 23

RemovedRecital 43: (43) To ensure compliance with the registration requirement, supervisory authorities should, where they have reliable information that an entity failed to register, for example based on a report by a whistleblower, be able to ask the entity to provide the information strictly necessary to establish whether it falls within the scope of this Directive. Such information should not extend beyond information directly capable of demonstrating whether it falls within the scope of this Directive. It could consist of the information of the type covered by the record-keeping obligation, including any declarations obtained as to whether an entity on whose behalf an interest representation service is provided is a third country sponsor. Where possible, the request should be limited to information that should be in the possession of the entity. In addition, supervisory authorities should, where they have reliable information of possible non-compliance with the obligations flowing from registration, be able to ask an entity to provide the information necessary to investigate such possible non-compliance. Such information should not extend beyond information directly capable of demonstrating the completeness or accuracy of the information provided as part of the requirement to register and to update. The request should be limited to information that should be in the possession of the registered entity. Any such requests should contain a statement of reasons, the information sought and the r…

AddedRecital 42 a (new): (42a) In order to facilitate the access by public officials to information on entities carrying out interest representation activities with whom they might interact, the Commission should consider the development of pre-engagement screening tools that provide public officials with easy access to public information from different sources, such as national registers, transparency registers or other relevant disclosure information, about entities within the scope of this Directive so that public officials can evaluate potential risks prior to engaging with entities.

RemovedRecital 44: (44) Democratic accountability is a pillar of well-functioning democracies. By providing access for the public to information on entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of third countries active in the internal market, as well as the third country sponsors they represent, this Directive enables citizens and other interested stakeholders to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities, including their ability to exercise democratic scrutiny in full knowledge of whose interest are being served by the interest representation activities. As voters, citizens are the most relevant decision-makers. Public scrutiny by citizens and interested stakeholders on issues affecting the democratic sphere supports democratic checks and balances, enhances citizens’ empowerment and allows a more informed expression and exercise of their democratic choices.

AddedRecital 43: (43) To ensure compliance with the registration requirement, supervisory authorities should, where they have reliable information that an entity failed to register, for example based on a report by a whistleblower, be able to ask the entity to provide the information strictly necessary to establish whether it falls within the scope of this Directive. Such information should typically not extend beyond information directly capable of demonstrating whether it falls within the scope of this Directive. It could consist of the information of the type covered by the record-keeping obligation, including any declarations obtained as to whether an entity on whose behalf an interest representation service is provided is a third country sponsor. Where possible, the request should be limited to information that should be in the possession of the entity. In addition, supervisory authorities should, where they have reliable information of possible non-compliance with the obligations flowing from registration, be able to ask an entity to provide the information necessary to investigate such possible non-compliance. Such information should not extend beyond information directly capable of demonstrating the completeness or accuracy of the information provided as part of the requirement to register and to update. The request should be limited to information that should be in the possession of the registered entity. Any such requests should contain a statement of reasons, the information sought…

RemovedRecital 44 a (new): (44a) In order to facilitate access to public information and to improve transparency of interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries in the internal market from outside the Member State responsible for the national register, this Directive should provide for the interconnection of national registers through a European central public access portal for the purposes of this Directive. This system should provide a search service in all the official languages of the Union in order to make the public information provided for in this Directive available.

AddedRecital 44: (44) Democratic accountability is a pillar of well-functioning democracies. By providing for public access to information on entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of third countries active in the internal market, as well as the third country sponsors they represent, this Directive enables citizens and other interested stakeholders to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities, including their ability to exercise democratic scrutiny in full knowledge of whose interest are being served by the interest representation activities. As voters, citizens are the most relevant decision-makers. Public scrutiny by citizens and interested stakeholders on issues affecting the democratic sphere supports democratic checks and balances, enhances citizens’ support and allows a more informed expression and exercise of their democratic choices.

Change 24

ChangedRecital 47: (47) To ensure the protection of individuals that may be exposed by the publication of specific information to a violation of their fundamental rights, such as retaliations against individuals working for a registered entity operating in a third country, Member States should ensure that supervisory authorities are able, upon request or ex officio, to restrict the publication of whole or part of the information entered in the national register. The registered entity should demonstrate in its request that, taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the individual cases, publication should be restricted due to legitimate interests such as a serious risk that the publication would expose an individual to a violation of their fundamental rights in particular as protected by Articles 1 (Right to human dignity), 2 (Right to life), 3 (Right to the integrity of the person), 4 (Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment) or 6 (Right to liberty and security of the Charter, such as kidnapping, blackmail, extortion, harassment, violence or intimidation), or such as trade secrets. The analysis should take into account risks to the physical integrity of employees, or any individuals working for or affiliated to a registered entity. Legitimate interests should also cover risks to individuals that benefit from the activities of the registered entity. Any decision by the supervisory authority should take into account the objectives of this Directive and …should b…

Change 25

ChangedRecital 51: (51) Where a third country spends particularly large amounts on interest representation, or where an entity receives particularly large amounts of remuneration from one or several third country sponsors, there is heightened likelihood that the interest representation activities carried out would successfully influence the political choices of a Member State or of the Union as a whole. In such cases, supervisory authorities should be able to request additional information from entities carrying out interest representation activities carried out on behalf of such third countries in order to exercise greater scrutiny.

Change 26

ChangedRecital 53: (53) Supervisory authorities should cooperate both at national and at Union level. Such cooperation should facilitate the swift, secure exchange of information. For the purpose of exercising their supervisory tasks, supervisory authorities in other Member States should be able to request, from the supervisory authority in the Member State of registration, information provided in the registration, including that which is not public, and in specific cases the records kept by the entity, as well as analyses carried out. Supervisory authorities and the Commission should cooperate to ensure the implementation of the DirectiveDirective. toTo better understand the size and the distribution of the overall interest representation activities that are carried out on behalf of third countries in the Union. The Commission should be able to request, from supervisory authorities, aggregate data based on the information provided by entities carrying out interest representation on behalf of third country sponsors in their registration. In order to comprehensively monitor the modalities and the features of the interest representation activities carried out in the Union on behalf of third countries,countries such aggregate data may include information that is not publicly available in the registers including personal data to the extent that is necessary to ensure an effective monitoring.

Change 27

ChangedRecital 54: (54) The use of digital tools developed within the internal market by the Commission and Member States enhances transparency and trust in cross-border provision of services and limits administrative burdens by allowing coordination, cooperation and communication between the relevant authorities at national level. Administrative cooperation and exchanges of information between the national authorities, as well as the supervisory authorities and the Commission takes place through the Internal Market Information System (‘IMI system’) established by Regulation (EU) 1024/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council7Council for administrative cooperation between Member States’ competent authorities in Single Market related policy areas. The interoperability of the IMI system and the national registers should therefore be ensured in line with the European Interoperability Framework.

Change 28

ChangedRecital 55: (55) For the purposes of assisting the Commission in its task to ensure effective cooperation among competent national authorities, and the complete and effective implementation of this Directive, an advisory group should be established. The advisory group should include a representative from the supervisory authorities of each Member State. The advisory group should advise on the implementation of the Directive, including on the requirement to avoid that adverse consequences arise from the mere fact that an entity is registered pursuant to the requirements laid down in this Directive. It should adopt opinions, recommendations or reports that should be made public by the competent national authorities designated by Member States. In order to ensure legal certainty for entities that may fall in the scope of the Directive, the advisory group should, in particular, advise the Commission on possible guidance on the scope of the DirectiveDirective, and activities whose object or effect of which is to circumvent obligations in this Directive. Cooperation should be ensured as appropriate with the EU network against corruption.

Change 29

ChangedRecital 58: (58) There might beCertain activities thatmight lead to the circumvention of the obligations under this Directive. Such activities could include covert remuneration for a representation service, the setting up of companies with a view to obfuscating links to third country governments, or the artificial distribution of activities across multiple entities with a view to falling short of the thresholds established by this Directive. Member States should therefore ensure that such circumvention activities are addressed in thetheir implementation of this Directive.

Change 30

ChangedRecital 59: (59) In order to deter non-compliance with the requirements of this Directive and to sanction the same, Member States should ensure that any infringements of the obligations laid down in this Directive are accompanied by effective, proportionate and dissuasive administrative fines.sanctions, including temporary suspension of registration in the national register. Without prejudice to rules applicable to criminal activities and their detection, investigation, prosecution, supervision and sanctioning as established under national or Union law, such as those related to corruption, sanctions should not be criminal in nature. Sanctions should take into account the nature, recurrence and duration of the infringement in view of the public interest at stake, the scope and kind of activities carried out, and the economic capacity of the entity carrying out interest representation activities. Sanctions should in each individual case be effective, proportionate and dissuasive, with due respect for fundamental rights including freedom of expression, association, academic freedom and freedom of scientific research, safeguards and access to effective remedies, including the right to be heard. They should follow a prior early warning issued by a supervisory authority, except when such infringement amounts to a violation of the prohibition of circumvention.

Change 31

RemovedRecital 63: (63) There is an added value from addressing the transparency of interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries at Union level, as the likely cross-border nature of such activities requires a coordinated approach across multiple levels and sectors. By collaborating and sharing information, Member States are able to obtain a better understanding of the extent of the phenomenon, which helps to avoid that third countries are able to exploit regulatory differences or loopholes.

AddedRecital 60: (60) In order to amend the thresholds for requesting further information, to modify the list of information to be provided when submitting a request for registration, to modify the list of information to be included in the reports published by Member States, and to set out the technical specifications, the technical measures, the minimum criteria and means, and the technical conditions regarding the central public access portal, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.

AddedRecital 63: (63) In particular, a Union-level system supports competent national authorities in their oversight functions and other stakeholders to exercise their role in the democratic process and increases the overall resilience of democracies in the Union against interference by third countries. There is an added value from addressing the transparency of interest representation activities carried out on behalf of third countries at Union level, as the likely cross-border nature of such activities requires a coordinated approach across multiple levels and sectors. By collaborating and sharing information, Member States are able to obtain a better understanding of the extent of the phenomenon, which helps to avoid that third countries are able to exploit regulatory differences or loopholes.

AddedRecital 64: (64) When implementing this Directive, Member States should lay down requirements in a clear and concise manner, ensuring legal certainty and predictable registration procedures, and should seek to minimise the administrative burden on the entities concerned, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises within the meaning of Article 3 of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Change 32

AddedRecital 69: (69) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and delivered an opinion on 6 February 2024. / (deleted)

Change 33

ChangedArticle 1 – paragraph 1: This Directive lays down harmonised requirements in relation to economicinterest representation activities of interestan representationeconomic nature carried out on behalf of a third country sponsorsponsor, with a view to provide information, knowledge or expertiseinfluencing onthe mattersdevelopment, concernedformulation byand aimplementation policy,of bypolicies, Unionlaw or national law, orpublic bydecision-making aprocesses publicin decision-makingthe process.Union.

Change 34

ChangedArticle 1 – paragraph 2: The objectiveobjectives of this Directive isare to improve the functioning of the internal market for interest representation activities and to achieve that in respect of those activities a common level of transparency and democratic accountability across the Union,Union withoutcreatingwithout creating a climate of distrust liable to deter natural or legal persons from Member States or third countries from engaging with or providing financial support to entities carrying out interest representation activities on behalf of a third country sponsor. Member States shall ensure that compliance with this Directive does not lead to any restriction of fundamental rights.

Change 35

ChangedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1: (1) ‘interest representation activity’ means an activity consisting of providing information, knowledge or expertise,conducted inwith the contextobjective of influencing the development, formulation or implementation of policy orpolicies, legislation,law, or public decision-making processes, in the Union,Union through: / - organising or participating in meetings, conferences or events; / - contributing to or participating in consultations or parliamentary hearings; / - organising communication or advertising campaigns;campaigns, including on digital platforms or via social media; or / - preparation of policy and position papers, legislative amendments, opinion polls, surveys or open letters;

Change 36

AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2: (2) ‘interest representation service’ means an interest representation activity that is normally provided for remuneration and therefore constitutes a service within the meaning of Article 57 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU);

Change 37

AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b: (b) a public or private entity whose actions can be attributed to a sponsor referred to in point (a), taking into account all relevant circumstances, such as the ability of the sponsor to exercise decisive influence or ultimate control over the entity;

Change 38

AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9: (9) ‘authority responsible for the national register’ means the independent public authority or body responsible for maintaining a national register as referred to in Article 9 and processing registrations submitted pursuant to this Directive;

Change 39

ChangedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) an interest representation activity carried out by a third country sponsor referred to in Article 2(4), point (b), that is linked to or substitutes activities of an economic nature and is thus comparable to an interest representation service as referred to in point (a) of this paragraph.

Change 40

ChangedArticle 3 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new): (aa) the provision of media services as defined in Article 2, point (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council1aCouncil and the provision of audiovisual media services as defined in Article 1, point (1) of Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council; / 1a Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act), OJ L, 2024/1083, 17.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1083/oj

Change 41

ChangedArticle 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – point ii: (ii) representation of third country sponsorssponsor in the context of a conciliation or mediation procedure aimed at preventing a dispute from being brought before, or adjudicated on by, a judicial or administrative body;

Change 42

ChangedArticle 43 – paragraph 1: Member States2 shall– notpoint maintainb ora introduce,(new): for(ba) interest representation activities fallingcarried withinout by civil society organisations the scopestatutory objectives of thiswhich Directive,are provisionsto divergingprotect fromand thosepromote laidthe downpublic ininterest thisor Directive,fundamental rights, including more,human orrights, less,in stringentaccordance provisionswith the Charter of Fundamental Rights, provided that those activities are not provided to achievea third country sponsor as a differentservice levelwithin ofthe transparencymeaning of thoseArticle activities,57 unlessTFEU otherwiseor providedare fornot incarried out by civil society organisations acting as third-country sponsors under this Directive.

Change 43

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 1: Member States shall ensure that interest representation service providers have the possibility to require the entity on whose behalf the service is provided to declare whether it is a third country sponsor.

AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 1: Member States shall not maintain or introduce less stringent provisions than those provided for in this Directive, for interest representation activities falling within the scope of this Directive. When transposing and implementing this Directive, Member States shall ensure compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and information, to freedom of assembly and association, to freedom of scientific research, including academic freedom, to the protection of personal data, to an effective remedy and to freedom to conduct a business.

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall ensure that entities referred to in Article 3(1) include, in their contractual arrangements with subcontractors, the information that the interest representation activity falls within the scope of Article 3(1), as well as an obligation to pass on such information to any further subcontractors. Subcontractors that have been so informed shall not have to comply with the requirements of Article 8, Article 10 and Article 11 in respect of the interest representation activity carried out under the contract containing that information.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 1: Member States shall ensure that interest representation service providers have the possibility to require the sponsor on whose behalf the service is provided to declare whether it is a third country sponsor.

AddedArticle 6 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall ensure that entities referred to in Article 3(1) that are main contractors include, in their contractual arrangements with subcontractors, the information that the interest representation activity falls within the scope of Article 3(1), as well as an obligation to pass on such information to any further subcontractors. Where such information has been included, the subcontractors and further subcontractors shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 8, Article 10 and Article 11 in respect of the interest representation activity carried out thereunder.

AddedArticle 6 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall ensure that where the subcontractor subcontracts the interest representation service further, it informs the main contractor or, where applicable, the subcontractor from which it received the contract to carry out the interest representation activity, of the fact that the interest representation activity has been further subcontracted. Member States shall also ensure that the contractual arrangements include the information that the interest representation activity falls within the scope of Article 3(1).

Change 44

RemovedArticle 9 a (new): Article 9a / Central public access portal / 1. By [one year from the date of entry into force of this Directive], the Commission shall, adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 23 to supplement this Directive by establishing a decentralised system for the interconnection of national registers referred to in Article 9. / 2. That system shall be connected to the national registers and to a web portal managed by the Commission. That web portal shall serve as a central public electronic access point to information in the system. / 3. The system referred to in paragraph 1 shall provide a search service in all the official languages of the Union in order to facilitate the making available to the public of the information referred to in Article 12(1) in accordance with that provision. / 4. The delegated act referred to in paragraph 1 shall lay down: / (a) the technical specifications determining the means and methods of communication for the system ensuring the interconnection and interoperability of the national registers; / (b) the technical measures on which the minimum information technology security standards applicable to the communication and distribution of information within the system ensuring the interconnection of the national registers are based; / (c) minimum criteria for the search service and for the presentation of the results of such searches, which are to be provided by the European portal in accordance with Article 12(1); and / (d) the means of and the te…

AddedArticle 9 – paragraph 2: 2. The national register or, as relevant, registers shall be maintained by independent authorities responsible for the national registers in accordance with Article 15 of this Directive. The national registers shall be interoperable between themselves. For the processing of personal data, such authorities shall act as controllers within the meaning of Article 4, point (7) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall ensure that an entity referred to in Article 3(1) established in their territory registers in a national register before carrying out interest representation activities within the meaning of this Directive.

AddedArticle 9 a (new): Article 9a / Central public access portal / 1. The Commission shall establish a central public access portal as a decentralised system for the interconnection of the national registers referred to in Article 9. / 2. The system referred to in paragraph 1 shall include a web portal that serves as a central public electronic access point to the information in the system. The web portal shall offer a search service in all official languages of the Union in order to facilitate the making available to the public of the information referred to in Article 12(1). / 3. For the processing of personal data, the Commission shall act as controller within the meaning of Article 4, point (7), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. / 4. By [one year from the date of entry into force of this Directive], the Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 23 to supplement this Directive by setting out: / (a) the technical specifications determining the means and methods of communication for the system ensuring the interconnection and interoperability of the national registers; / (b) the technical measures on which the minimum information technology security standards applicable to the communication and distribution of information within the system ensuring the interconnection of the national registers are based; / (c) minimum criteria for the search service and for the presentation of the results of such searches, which are to be provided by the European portal in accordance with Articl…

AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall ensure that each entity referred to in Article 3(1) established in their territory registers in a national register at the latest before starting the interest representation activities.

Change 45

ChangedArticle 10 – paragraph 4: 4. Member States shall ensure that, for the purpose of registration, an entity is required to submit at least the information set out in Annex I.

Change 46

ChangedArticle 10 – paragraph 6 – point a: (a) without undue delay, changes or additions to the data provided pursuant to Annex I, point 1, points (a), (b), (f)(i) and (f)(ii);

Change 47

ChangedArticle 10 – paragraph 7 a– (new):subparagraph 7a.2: MemberThat Statesauthority shall ensure thatprocess the authoritiesrequest responsiblewithin for5 working days and remove the relevantregistered entity from the national register keepif recordsit ofconsiders that the informationentity no longer qualifies as an entity referred to in paragraphArticle 43(1) foror 4should yearsno afterlonger be registered in the entityregister hasfor beenwhich removedit fromis responsible. The decision of the authority responsible for the relevant national register pursuantshall be subject to paragraphadministrative 7.and judicial redress in the Member State of registration.

Change 48

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 8 a (new): 8a. Member States may maintain in their legal systems existing measures whereby the entities referred to in Article 3(1) are required to submit for the purpose of registration information in addition to the information referred to in Annex I, point 1, where those measures are necessary and justified by public interest objectives and are proportionate in that they are suitable for securing the attainment of the objectives pursued and do not go beyond what is necessary to attain those objectives.

AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 7 a (new): 7a. Member States shall ensure that the authority responsible for a national register from which an entity has been removed keeps the information about the entity referred to in paragraph 4 for four years after that entity has been removed from the register pursuant to paragraph 7.

RemovedArticle 11 – paragraph 3: 3. Once an entry is included in the national register, the registered entity shall without undue delay and at the latest within 5 working days receive a confirmation of registration from the authority responsible for the national register. The registered entity shall be issued with a unique EIRN, and a digital copy of the information included in the national register. The EIRN shall be in the format set out in Annex II.

AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 8: 8. Member States shall ensure that registration, updates, requests to be removed from the register and requests pursuant to Article 12(3) can be made by electronic means and free of charge.

AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 8 a (new): 8a. Member States may, in accordance with the Treaties, maintain in their legal systems existing measures which were in application before [the date of the entry into force of this Directive], in accordance with which the entities referred to in Article 3(1) are required to submit, for the purpose of registration, information that does not contain personal data in addition to the information referred to in Annex I, point 1, where those measures are necessary and justified by public interest objectives and are proportionate in that they are suitable for securing the attainment of the objectives pursued and do not go beyond what is necessary to attain those objectives.

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 2: 2. Where the information provided for the purposes of registration is incomplete or contains manifest errors, the authority responsible for the national register shall ask the entity to complete or rectify its submission. Within five working days of receiving a response from the entity in question, the authority responsible for the national register shall either include a corresponding entry in its national register, or refuse to make such an entry and inform the entity in question why the submission remains incomplete or contains manifestly incorrect information.

Change 49

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 11: 11. An entity to which the request is made shall provide, within 15 working days, the information requested pursuant to paragraphs 8 and 9 in a complete and accurate manner.

Change 50

ChangedArticle 12 – paragraph 3: 3. Member States shall ensure that entities referred to in Article 3(1) have the right to apply for aan derogationexemption from the publication requirement referred to in paragraph 1 by means of a duly reasoned request. The supervisory authority shall take a decision limiting partially or fully public access where the requesting entity demonstrates, taking into account the circumstances of the individual case, that to do so is justified on grounds of a legitimate interest, including a serious risk that the publication would expose an individual to a violation of their that individual’s fundamental rights, in particular as protected under Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4 or Article 6 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Otherwise, the supervisory authority shall take a decision rejecting the request.

Change 51

ChangedArticle 12 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. Member States shall ensure that the decision to derogategrant an exemption from the publicationrequirement ofto publish the information referred to in paragraph 1, or to limit,limit public access, partially or fully, public access, may be taken ex officio by the competent supervisory authority, or, where applicable, at the request of a supervisory authority of another Member State, where it has reason to believe that: / (a)that there is a serious risk that the publication might expose an individual to a violation of that individual’s fundamental rights; / (b) the request referred to in paragraph 3 might not be reasonably expected by the relevant entity;rights and / (c)that the partial or full limitation of public access mightmay eliminate or mitigatereduce thethis risk. / Member States shall ensure that an ex officio decision to limit, partially or fully, public access to the information referred to in paragraph 1 is immediately notified by the competent supervisory authority to the relevant registered entity.

Change 52

ChangedArticle 12 – paragraph 4: 4. Any decision taken pursuant to paragraphsparagraph 3 and 3a shall be subject to administrative and judicial redress in the Member State of registration. Member States shall ensure that any review procedures, including judicial redress, are carried out within a reasonable period of time and that a final decision is taken promptly.

Change 53

ChangedArticle 12 – paragraph 6: 6. Member States shall ensure that where a decision referred to in paragraphsparagraph 3 and 3a has become final, the entry in the national register to which that decision relates indicates, as the case may be, that public access has been partially or fully limited.

Change 54

ChangedArticle 13 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d)d a list(new): (da) an analysis for each Member State of registration of the thirdinterest countriesrepresentation activities carried out in Member States other than that fulfilMember State of registration, based on the criteriainformation setprovided outpursuant into ArticleAnnex 16(3),I, point (b)(ii);2 (e).

Change 55

ChangedArticle 1315 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new): (da)1a. anFor analysisthe forpurposes eachof Memberparagraph State1 of registration ofthis theArticle, interesteach representationMember activitiesState carriedmay outappoint ina Membersingle Statesauthority otheras thanthe thatcompetent Membernational Stateauthority ofresponsible registration,for basedthe onnational theregisters informationand providedfor pursuantperforming tothe Annexsupervisory I,tasks pointpursuant 2,to pointthis (e).Directive.

Change 56

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 6 – point b: (b) refrain from taking any action which is incompatible with the performance of their duties and the exercise of their powers under this Directive;

AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 5: 5. Where a Member State designates more than one supervisory authority, it shall ensure that the tasks of each of those authorities are clearly set out in its national law and that they cooperate closely and effectively when performing their tasks. Member States shall identify the supervisory authority to which communications can be addressed for transmission to the appropriate authority within that Member State.

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 6 – point b a (new): (ba) have the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to effectively carry out their tasks and make informed decisions, including the expertise to detect and address fundamental rights risks.

AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 6: 6. Member States shall ensure that the national authorities designated pursuant to paragraph 1 are independent in the exercise of their functions. / (deleted) / (deleted)

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 7 a (new): 7a. Member States may provide that a competent national authority, designated pursuant to paragraph 1, can request an entity referred to in Article 3(1), carrying out interest representation services on behalf of third countries in their territory and registered in another Member State, to provide the additional information required for the registration of entities in their national register, in accordance with Article 10(8a).

AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 6 a (new): 6a. Member States shall ensure that the procedures for the appointment of the governing bodies of the supervisory authorities are transparent, non-discriminatory and guarantee the requisite degree of independence.

Change 57

ChangedArticle 16 – paragraph 3 – point b – subparagraphparagraph 1 – introductory part: the actions of the third country entitysponsor on whose behalf the registered sponsorentity is acting are attributable to a third country that has spent, in one of the five preceding financial years, and taking into account all third country sponsors whose actions can be attributed to this third country, an aggregate annual amount that exceeds either of the following:

Change 58

ChangedArticle 16 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. The supervisory authority referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article may request the following:following information: / (a) copies of the contracts with the third country sponsor that are necessary to understand the nature and purpose of the interest representation activity, including, where applicable, the records of the means and extent of any remuneration; / (b) a list of all third country sponsors on whose behalf they have carried out interest representation activities in the preceding financial year; / (c) a list of the aggregated annual amount received in respect of the activities that fall within the scope of Article 3(1) in the preceding financial year per third country.

Change 59

RemovedMoved from Article 7.

AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 3 b (new): 3b. Member States shall ensure that entities referred to in Article 3(1) keep records of the information referred to in point (a) of paragraph 3a of this Article for four years after the interest representation activity in question has ceased.

Change 60

ChangedArticle 16 – paragraph 3 bc (new): 3b.3c. Member States shall ensure that entities referred to in Article 3(1) keep records of the information referred to in pointpoints (a)(b) and (c) of paragraph 3a for 4 years after the interest representationof activitythis inArticle questionfor hasfour ceased.years.

Change 61

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 3 c (new): 3c. Member States shall ensure that entities referred to in Article 3(1) keep records of the information referred to in points (b) and (c) of paragraph 3a for 4 years.

Change 62

ChangedArticle 16 – paragraph 5: 5. Where a supervisory authority other than the supervisory authority of the Member State of registration considers that any of the conditions set out in paragraph 3 are met, it may ask the supervisory authority of the Member State of registration to request records kept in accordance with Articlethis 10Article from the registered entity.

Change 63

AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1: Upon receipt of a request pursuant to paragraph 5 and if it considers that the conditions laid down in paragraphs 3 are met, the supervisory authority of the Member State of registration shall make a request in accordance with paragraph 3 and transmit the information received to the requesting supervisory authority. If the supervisory authority of the Member State of registration has, within the previous 12 months, made a request in accordance with paragraph 3 covering the same information from the same registered entity, it may transmit the information to the requesting supervisory authority without making a new request.

Change 64

ChangedArticle 17 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall ensure that their supervisory authorities cooperate with the supervisory authorities of all other Member States and exchange relevant information aswith necessary.them.

Change 65

ChangedArticle 17 – paragraph 5 a (new): 5a. Member States shall ensure that supervisory authorities are competent to request the following information from the supervisory authorities of another Member State, where such information is necessary for the purpose of exercisingthe cross-border cooperation as referred to in paragraph (2):2: / (a) information provided by a registered entity in accordance with Article 10(4); / (b) any analyses carried out by a supervisory authority on the basis of the information referred to in point (a).(a) of this paragraph.

Change 66

ChangedArticle 17 – paragraph 5 c (new): 5c. Member States shall ensure that the supervisory authorities provide the Commission, onat its request, which shall contain a statement of reasons, with aggregate data based on the information provided by registered entities in accordance with Article 10(4) for the purpose of monitoring the implementation of this Directive, including for the preparation of meetings of the advisory group referred to in Article 18. Such aggregate data may contain personal data only to the extentif thatit is necessary to ensure effective monitoring. Where technically possible, the information shall be transmitted in a machine-readable format.

Change 67

ChangedArticle 17 – paragraph 5 d (new): 5d. When processing personal data pursuant to paragraphs 5a to 5c, the supervisory authorities shall act as controllers within the meaning of Article 4, point (7) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and the Commission shall act as a controller within the meaning of Article 3, point (8) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 with respect to their own data processing activities.

Change 68

ChangedArticle 17 – paragraph 6: 6. The administrative cooperation and exchanges of information between the national authorities designated pursuant to Article 15(1), as well as the supervisory authorities and the Commission, pursuant to paragraphs 2, 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, Article 11(4), Article 12(3a),12(3a) and Article 16(5) and (6) of this Directive, shall be implemented through the IMI system established by Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012.

Change 69

AddedArticle 19 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) facilitate exchanges and sharing of information and best practices on the specific needs of civil society organisations and of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises within the meaning of Article 3 of Directive 2013/34/EU;

Change 70

RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. The Commission may urgently convene the advisory group at the request of a Member State regarding possible serious non-compliance with this Directive.

AddedArticle 19 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. At the request of the Commission or at least one of the authorities concerned, the advisory group shall draw up opinions with respect to national measures which are likely to affect the functioning of the internal market for interest representation, in particular those taken by national authorities with respect to Article 9(3), Article 10(8a), Article 12(3), Article 15(1), (2), (6) and (8), and Article 16(6) of this Directive.

RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 4: 4. Representatives of the European Parliament shall be invited to attend meetings of the advisory group as observers. Representatives of the European Free Trade Association States that are contracting parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area17 , may be invited to attend meetings of the advisory group as observers.

AddedArticle 19 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. The Commission may convene the advisory group at the request of a Member State regarding possible serious non-compliance with this Directive.

RemovedArticle 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall lay down rules on sanctions applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to Article 6, Article 8, Article 10, Article 11, Article 14, Article 16 and Article 20 of this Directive by entities referred to in Article 3(1) or where appropriate, their legal representative.

AddedArticle 19 – paragraph 4: 4. Representatives of the European Parliament shall be invited to attend meetings of the advisory group as observers. Representatives of the European Free Trade Association States that are contracting parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, may be invited to attend meetings of the advisory group as observers. The advisory group may invite civil society organisations to attend the meetings at least once a year as part of an open and structured dialogue on the implementation of this Directive.

Change 71

RemovedArticle 22 – paragraph 5: deleted

AddedArticle 23 – paragraph 2: 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 9a(4), Article 10(9), Article 13(3) and Article 16(9) shall be conferred on the Commission for five years from [the date of entry into force of the Directive]. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.

RemovedArticle 23 – paragraph 2: 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 9a(1), 10(9), 13(3) and 16(9) shall be conferred on the Commission for five years from [the date of entry into force of the Directive]. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.

AddedArticle 23 – paragraph 4: 4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

AddedArticle 23 – paragraph 5: 5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

Change 72

RemovedArticle 25 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: That evaluation shall assess the effectiveness and proportionality of the Directive. It shall assess among others the need for changes to the scope, the effectiveness of the safeguards provided in the Directive, the interaction between this Directive and national transparency obligations and their impact on national registers, the effectiveness of the anti-circumvention clause in Article 20 and the effectiveness of cross-border coopeartion mechanisms. It shall also assess the main fundamental rights risks that might emerge in the context of the transposition and implementation of the Directive and whether stigmatisation is effectively addressed and prevented. It may, where appropriate, be accompanied by relevant legislative proposals.

AddedArticle 24 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part: 1. in Article 2(1), point (a) the following point is added:

RemovedAnnex I – point 2 – point a – introductory part: (a) the following information on each of the third country sponsor on whose behalf the entity carries out the interest representation activity;

AddedArticle 24 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – introductory part: 2. in the Annex, in Part I, the following point is added:

AddedArticle 25 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: That evaluation shall assess the effectiveness and proportionality of the Directive. It shall assess among others: / (a) the need for changes to the scope and the effectiveness of the safeguards provided in the Directive, in particular the safeguards regarding the protection of fundamental rights and the prevention of any form of stigmatisation in the context of its transposition and implementation; / (b) the interaction between the provisions of this Directive and those regarding the national transparency obligations, including the impact on existing national registers; / (c) the anti-circumvention provisions and the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation mechanisms. / The evaluation may, where appropriate, be accompanied by relevant legislative proposals.

AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by [eighteen months from the date of the entry into force of this Directive] at the latest. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

Change 73

RemovedAnnex I – point 2 – point c – introductory part: (c) the annual amounts covering all the tasks carried out with the objective of providing information, knowledge or expertise in the context of the development, formulation or implementation of the same proposal, policy or initiative indicated pursuant to point (g), according to the grid below, for a full year of operations referring to the most recent financial year closed, as of the date of registration or the date of the annual update of the registration details;