The Independent Authority Against Corruption, the responsible body for implementing lobbying-related legislation, announced the commencement of all provisions of the Transparency in Public Decision-Making Law 20(I)/2022, starting March 1st.

As stated by the Authority, the law aims to establish a framework for ensuring transparency in public decision-making processes to prevent conditions that may lead to or facilitate corruption.

The legislation imposes obligations on both representatives of special interest groups intending to engage in public decision-making processes (“lobbyists”) and on officials or members of the civil service and wider public sector, including employees who assist officials, who participate in these processes.

The Authority has decided to implement all provisions of the law gradually. Specifically, from Monday, November 27, 2023, the Authority began accepting applications for registration in the Registration Registry (“Registry”). These applications are reviewed in accordance with the information provided on the Authority's website, including an Explanatory Note along with the application forms for the purpose of creating the Registry.

>>First Registered Lobbyist in Cyprus Announced<<

It was indicated that at this stage, it was emphasized that the processes would be for the purpose of creating the Registry and that the obligations of the lobbyists would not come into force until they are intertwined with the obligations of the officials.

The Authority notes that it will be ready to post on its website the Registry with the registered lobbyists by the end of February, while all provisions of the law will come into effect on March 1, 2024. At that time, all obligations, both of the officials and the lobbyists, will be simultaneously applied.

In the interim, until the law comes into force, the Authority encourages individuals intending to engage in public decision-making processes to ensure their prior registration in the Registry.