Lobbying Act enters into force, regulating lobbying in Croatia for the first time

Adopted on 14 March 2024, the Lobbying Act entered into force on 1 October 2024, becoming an important tool in shaping and implementing a quality anti-corruption policy as well as strengthening independent bodies in their preventive action.

The law was drafted through the cooperation of relevant stakeholders from the academic community, judicial officials, representatives of state administration bodies, the Croatian Bar Association, the Croatian Employers' Association, the Croatian Association of Lobbyists, trade unions and civil society organisations.

It regulates lobbying as a legal and legitimate activity with clear principles, rights, obligations and sanctions in line with international standards, guidelines and recommendations of GRECO and the OECD, as well as the EU Transparency Register.

The Lobbying Act provides definitions of lobbying, lobbyists, lobbied persons and the beneficiaries of lobbying. It also prescribes which activities in public and political life are not considered lobbying, for example, public consultations, referendums, petitions or citizens’ initiatives, various forms of public communication, disclosure of information, views and opinions in the media, and various forms of social and other dialogue.

Furthermore, it regulates illicit lobbying activities, i.e. unethical procedures of lobbyists subject to adequate measures or sanctions.
Important role of the Conflict of Interest Commission 

The Commission for the Resolution of Conflicts of Interest is in charge of managing the Register of Lobbyists. The Register is kept in electronic form, and registration is a prerequisite for lobbying activities.

The CoI Commission is also competent to provide an opinion to a lobbyist on request as to whether specific activities are considered lobbying.

Measures for violating the provisions of the Act will be imposed by the Conflict of Interest Commission, while misdemeanour sanctions will be imposed by the courts in misdemeanour proceedings.

To make the legal provisions as clear as possible, a short guide has also been prepared, which is available for download at: Lobbying - a short guide. 

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