Representatives of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) took part in a discussion entitled ‘The new law on lobbying: opportunities for business or new risks?’
The event was dedicated to discussing the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying”, which is due to come into force on 1 September this year. The law establishes transparent rules for business interaction with the state and influence on the law-making process. It provides for the registration of lobbyists, regular reporting on their activities, and disclosure of information about their communication with public officials and clients or beneficiaries of influence.
During the discussion, representatives of government, business and the public sector discussed the challenges and opportunities of legislative regulation of lobbying activities, as well as the necessary amendments to the legislation.
In particular, they discussed:
- the current version of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Lobbying’ and the draft laws registered in the Verkhovna Rada on 3 June 2025, No. 13339 on amendments to it and No. 13340 on amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences;
- prospects for the development of lobbying in Ukraine;
- risks and benefits for business;
- the current status of the development of the Transparency Register, which will contain data on lobbying entities.
Anastasia Yezerska, Head of the Department for Stakeholder Relations and Anti-Corruption Legislation at the NACP, reminded that specialised software for the Transparency Register is currently being developed. According to the terms of the contract with contractors, it must be completed by 14 August 2025.
Among the most urgent legislative changes, the importance of which was emphasised by both business representatives and the NACP, are amendments to Law No. 3620-IX of 21 March 2024 on postponing liability for violations in the field of lobbying (draft law No. 13340 of 3 June 2025). In particular, these violations relate to illegal lobbying (without status as a subject), failure to submit reports or late submission of reports, etc. The current version of Law No. 3620-IX provides for its entry into force simultaneously with the entry into force of the Law on Lobbying, i.e. on 1 September 2025.
In order for businesses to adapt their work to the new rules, a one-year postponement is proposed. This will give entrepreneurs additional time to comply with the new legislative requirements and develop transparent influence practices. At the same time, NACP will have time to analyse the effectiveness of the provisions of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Lobbying’ and improve it in accordance with the recommendations of the Roadmaps within the framework of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU.
"Transparent lobbying should become a legitimate tool for business and society to participate in shaping public policy, with clear rules, an open register and understandable reporting mechanisms. NACP will continue to support initiatives aimed at developing an open dialogue between the state, business and civil society and creating a fair and competitive environment,’ said Anastasia Yezerska.
It should be recalled that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) pays particular attention to the development of lobbying when assessing Ukraine's performance against public integrity indicators.
In addition, the legislative regulation of lobbying processes is provided for in the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2021-2025, the State Anti-Corruption Programme for 2023-2025, and 3 of the Action Plan to Prevent Abuse of Excessive Influence by Persons with Significant Economic and Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs), the Law of Ukraine ‘On Law-Making,’ and paragraph 1.5 of the Plan for the Preparation of Draft Acts and the Implementation of Other Tasks necessary to ensure the implementation of the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 744/2023 of 08.11.2023 ‘On certain measures to prepare for the negotiation process for Ukraine's accession to the European Union’ and the European Commission's Report on Ukraine for 2023 of 8 November 2023, the recommendations of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).
The event was part of the initiative ‘Business Integrity Month 2025: Integrity Growth — Crisis as a Catalyst for Development’, implemented by the Ukrainian Integrity and Compliance Network (UNIC) with the support of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) — a leading anti-corruption programme funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
