| Q |
Is EPACA
a new organization? |
| A |
The launch of EPACA in January 2005 was
the first time the Brussels PA consultancies have agreed
to a formal self-regulatory structure, with a professional
practices panel and procedures to deal with any complaints. |
| Q |
Have there been complaints
or problems? |
| A |
We are not aware of any such complaints,
but we wish to stay ahead of the game and ensure we have
the tools to support high professional standards in our
industry. |
| Q |
Why has EPACA been
established? |
| A |
This is a step in a process of discussion
and consultation involving these companies, which have
decided that a long-standing informal association (known
as the ‘Code of Conduct Group’ or sometimes
recently as Public Affairs Practitioners group) needs
to be updated. The start of a new Commission and Parliament,
and another enlargement, seemed like a good time to take
this step, which was under discussion for several years. |
| Q |
What is the background
to this Code group? |
| A |
12 years ago the PA consultancies came
together informally and agreed a code of conduct for professional
standards. The Chef de cabinet of the responsible Commissioner
attended the launch meeting of this code and recommended
it as a contribution to professional standards. Since
then the Commission has published a data-base of signatories
of this code, as information for its civil society interlocutors.
The European Parliament (Quaestors and Secretariat General)
were also informed of the new code and commended it to
the extent that it was adopted as the basis of the code
of conduct which is today Annexed to the Parliament’s
rules of procedure and required to be signed by all applicants
for permanent visitor passes to the Parliament. |
| Q |
So do you need a new
code if this one is so well-established? |
| A |
We are not planning any changes in the
Code itself, for the very reason that it has formed the
basis for good professional practice in the Brussels marketplace
for so long, with no demonstrated short-comings. It has
the merit of being widely recognized and accepted, as
well as being succinct and uncomplicated. |
| Q |
So you think the existing
Code is fine? |
| A |
It can no doubt be improved on, and we
will be looking at any need for clarification, and discussing
this both among ourselves and with all interested parties.
But changes in such a fundamental document should not
be lightly embarked on and we certainly do not wish to
promote confusion or duplication in professional codes
for this area of activity, so we will move in a very careful,
deliberate and consensual fashion if any changes are appropriate. |
| Q |
Are there other professional
bodies with similar codes? |
| A |
There is an individual membership organization
in Brussels, the Society of European Affairs Professionals
(SEAP), which fulfils a different function. It originally
adopted a code identical to ours, but recently we understand
it has agreed and published a variation on this, without
altering the fundamental principles. We will be consulting
with them to avoid any unnecessary divergence or duplication. |
| Q |
What is the difference
between the roles of SEAP and EPACA? |
| A |
The roles are different but complementary.
EPACA is a representative trade association for professional
public affairs consultancies active in the EU marketplace,
with a code for which member companies themselves take
responsibility on behalf of their staff. SEAP is individual
membership, and includes consultancies, trade associations
and corporations. There is some membership overlap (some
30 staff of EPACA member companies are also members of
SEAP), which we believe will help ensure there is effective
co-operation. |
