European Parliament gave their backing to plans for a joint register of lobbyists and other interest groups seeking access to Parliament and the Commission. Parliament also endorsed a proposal for a "legislative footprint annex" to reports drafted by MEPs. This annex would list all the lobbyists whom lead MEPs met while a legislative report was being drafted.

The main objective of a joint register of the two institutions is to enhance transparency and citizens will find in one place all the information on people and organisations that are in contact with the EU institutions. With regard to the transparency aim, MEPs hope the Council of Ministers will take part in this register. Besides, this "one-stop shop" system should also make the registration of representatives of specific interests easier.

The register will combine the existing Parliament and Commission registers, as agreed by the two institutions in November 2010. The name change, from "lobby" to "transparency", will make it easier for non-commercial organisations, such as think-tanks, churches and religious communities, to sign up to such a register. However, registration will not be mandatory under the rules as agreed by Parliament and the Commission. Although MEPs have decided that for lobbyists wishing to enter Parliament's premises, registration will indeed be compulsory.

The new joint register will provide further information, such as the number of individuals involved in any activities relating to the register and any EU funding or support received by the registrant. It will also set out procedures for handling complaints and sanctions. In a separate vote on Parliament's internal rules, MEPs decided they should update their financial declarations as soon as changes occur and at least once a year.