New TTIP-Leak: floodgates could open for further corporate influence

Brussels/Cologne, 28 January 2014

A new leak analysed by corporate watchdogs CEO and LobbyControl shows that corporate influence on EU and US policy might increase via the EU-US trade deal chapter on so-called "regulatory cooperation". The leak of the EU draft negotiating proposal dated January 23rd makes unmistakably clear that the EU is seeking a very ambitious chapter that strengthens business' role in future regulatory legislation. It even suggests a new institution, the Regulatory Cooperation Body (RCB). Its role is to coordinate the process of regulatory coherence between the US and the EU.

Kenneth Haar of CEO said: "The proposal fulfils the ambitions of some of the biggest business lobby groups. It will provide them with a big tool box they can use to roll back regulation adopted in the public interest."

A December 2014 version of the draft indicates that there were even ambitions to include the municipal level in the list of those who are to report on planned regulations that affect trade. Even though this has been taken out of the proposal now, it clearly shows that there are desires on the EU-side to subjugate social and environmental legislation to international trade.

Max Bank of LobbyControl said: “Trade Comissioner Malmström has to step back on regulatory cooperation in TTIP. Like Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), it strengthens big business and threatens democracy on both sides of the Atlantic.”

More Info:

• Blog by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and LobbyControl on the new leak

• Leaked Document of the EU draft negotiating proposal on regulatory cooperation

Contact details:

Kenneth Haar, Corporate Europe Observatory, email: kenneth@corporateeurope.org tel: +45 23600631

Max Bank, LobbyControl, email: m.bank@lobbycontrol.de tel: +49 2219957150