RECOMMENDATIONS TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY AMONG COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING NGOs SEEKING TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY

Source: TI

1. Be aware of and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules and codes of conduct concerning lobbying activities.
2. Register in all lobby registers in jurisdictions where lobbying is undertaken, including those that are voluntary.
3. Establish internal policies and procedures for transparent and ethical conduct, and ensure these are integrated with organization’s anti-corruption policies and corporate social responsibility commitments.
4. Be proactively transparent about the organization’s lobbying and other forms of political engagement, including:

• Policies, expenditures and individuals lobbying on the organization’s behalf
• Political contributions and activities
• Positions papers and supplementary documents presented in support of lobbying efforts
• Indirect political involvement including funding and support for civil society organizations, scientific research and public relations.

1. Ensure all lobbying efforts, political spending and spending are reported as part of annual reporting and, specifically, as part of corporate social responsibility reporting.
2. Ensure lobbying is carried out with integrity, that information conveyed is factually accurate and honest and that lobbyists do not misrepresent their status or the nature of their communications.
3. Avoid potential conflicts of interest, actual or perceived undue influence, and respect the rules incumbent on public officials.
4. Train the organization’s employees and representatives on the above measures, and ensure they apply to any consultants and agents acting on the organization’s behalf.