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Corporate Europe Observatory

CEO

Corporate Europe Observatory is a research group that exposes corporate influence in EU policymaking.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and European Environmental Bureau and

14 Jan 2026 · Attack against civil society

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and European Environmental Bureau and

17 Nov 2025 · CONT Scrutiny Working Group

Corporate Europe Observatory warns EU against weakening food safety standards

14 Oct 2025
Topic — The Commission proposes simplifying food and feed safety regulations to boost industry competitiveness.
Message — CEO demands the Commission strengthen existing pesticide policies and halt the current deregulation drive. They want residue limits for imported food set at the lowest level of detection. Finally, the group advocates for supporting farmers in a transition toward ecological agriculture.123
Why — Strict standards preserve the health and environmental protections central to the organization's mission.4
Impact — Pesticide companies lose the opportunity to weaken safety regulations for their chemical products.5
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Corporate Europe Observatory warns digital omnibus threatens fundamental rights

14 Oct 2025
Topic — The Commission is proposing a digital omnibus to simplify rules and reduce business costs.
Message — The organization calls for well-resourced supervisory authorities and access to justice instead of a reduction of the regulatory burden. They demand that industry calls for a delayed implementation of the AI Act should be resisted.12
Why — Maintaining existing rules helps the organization prevent Big Tech from entrenching its monopoly position.3
Impact — Citizens lose privacy rights while the environment faces increased damage from industrial expansion.45
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Meeting with Antonella Rossetti (Cabinet of Commissioner Christophe Hansen) and Friends of the Earth Europe and

29 Sept 2025 · presentation of and discussion about their roadmap to reduce pesticide use in Europe

Meeting with Jan Hendrik Dopheide (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič) and The Smoke Free Partnership

7 May 2025 · Introductory meeting / EU transparency rules on tobacco lobbying

Corporate Europe Observatory Slams Weakening of Chemical Safeguards

24 Mar 2025
Topic — Simplification of EU Taxonomy reporting requirements to reduce costs and increase flexibility.
Message — The group demands keeping Appendix C unchanged to ensure investments do no significant harm. They argue it is vital to maximise safeguards against harmful chemicals and support regulation.12
Why — Maintaining current standards protects their mission of ensuring corporate accountability and environmental health.3
Impact — Investors and the public lose protection against toxic chemicals and clear sustainability data.4
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Meeting with Vilija Sysaite (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

20 Mar 2025 · PFAS

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Transparency International Liaison Office to the European Union and

10 Mar 2025 · Exchange on Lobby Transparency Priorities

Meeting with Bernd Biervert (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič), Jan Hendrik Dopheide (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič), Sofia Asteriadi (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič), Maria Olivan Aviles (Head of Unit Secretariat-General) and

24 Feb 2025 · Introductory meeting / transparency and ethics

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and European Environmental Bureau and

18 Feb 2025 · NGO funding & transparency

Meeting with Lynn Boylan (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Jan 2025 · Fossil Fuel Lobbying in EU Policymaking

Meeting with Per Clausen (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · PFAS Lobbyism

Meeting with Terry Reintke (Member of the European Parliament) and European Environmental Bureau and

21 Nov 2024 · New European Commission

Meeting with Catarina Martins (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Oct 2024 · commission candidate's hearings

Meeting with Anthony Smith (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Oct 2024 · Dossiers liés à AFCO et préparation des auditions

Meeting with Alexandra Geese (Member of the European Parliament) and LobbyControl

1 Oct 2024 · Tech and Society Summit: Big Tech lobbying

Meeting with Leila Chaibi (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Digital Rights

1 Oct 2024 · Speaker - Big tech lobbying

Meeting with Jutta Paulus (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Sept 2024 · uPFAS restriction

Meeting with Alvaro De Elera (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová) and LobbyControl

2 Jul 2024 · transparency, integrity, lobbying

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Apr 2024 · Staff Level: Politico Tech & AI Summit

Corporate Europe Observatory demands tougher restrictions on toxic food packaging

8 Mar 2024
Topic — The European Commission is proposing new restrictions on bisphenols in food contact materials.
Message — The group urges the Commission to broaden the ban to include more harmful chemicals. They specifically demand removing common substitutes from authorized lists to prevent firms from switching to other toxins.12
Why — The organization would benefit from seeing its advocacy for stronger public health protections adopted.3
Impact — Food packaging companies lose the ability to sell existing hazardous stock without any deadline.4
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Meeting with Nikolaj Villumsen (Member of the European Parliament) and UNI Europa and LobbyControl

20 Feb 2024 · Amazon lobbying

Meeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Greenpeace European Unit and Fédération Nature et Progrès

15 Dec 2023 · Nouveaux OGMs

Meeting with Martin Häusling (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Nov 2023 · Demo gegen NGT

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Nov 2023 · Corruption, Money Laundering & the European Elections

Meeting with Katarina Barley (Member of the European Parliament) and LobbyControl

25 Oct 2023 · Transparenz von Trilogen

Meeting with Anja Hazekamp (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Oct 2023 · Demonstration Fossil Free Politics

Meeting with Alexandra Geese (Member of the European Parliament) and European Digital Rights and

25 Oct 2023 · Greens/EFA event "Reclaiming our Digital Future"

Meeting with Nikolaj Villumsen (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Oct 2023 · Transparency issues in the EP

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament) and LobbyControl

5 Oct 2023 · Staff Level: lobbying of Big Tech

Meeting with Damian Boeselager (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Transparency International Liaison Office to the European Union

11 Sept 2023 · Rules of Procedure

Corporate Europe Observatory Demands Ban on Toxic Pesticide Exports

31 Jul 2023
Topic — A legislative initiative prohibiting the production and export of hazardous chemicals banned within the EU.
Message — The group calls for a legislative proposal to outlaw the export of dangerous pesticides. This would end double standards that harm human health and the environment globally.123
Why — An export ban would foster innovation and transition Europe toward sustainable farming practices.4
Impact — Agrochemical giants lose profits from selling dangerous chemicals in countries with weak oversight.5
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Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Jul 2023 · Staff Level: lobbying of Big Tech

Meeting with Martin Häusling (Member of the European Parliament) and European Coordination Via Campesina and

6 Jul 2023 · Teilnahme Veranstaltung zu Patenten und Neuer Gentechnik

Meeting with Kathleen Van Brempt (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Jun 2023 · Nature Restoration Law, SUR and work of the Committee on COVID-19 (APA)

Response to Recommendation on covert interference from third countries

13 Apr 2023

Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has advocated for a mandatory EU lobby transparency register for two decades, published in-depth reports about covert repressive regime interference in EU decision-making, and made concrete proposals to tackle the problem. While we welcome the level of ambition of the defence of democracy package, we consider a directive focusing narrowly on foreign interference to be misguided, for a range of reasons. This includes the acute risk that it could be changed by the other EU institutions and implemented by some Member State governments, in ways that could shrink space for civil society. Considering these risks, it is highly problematic and reckless that there is no impact assessment planned. Rather we recommend an overhaul of the EU Transparency Register and the preparation of a legislative proposal for mandatory lobby transparency registers both at the EU and at Member State level. These should secure transparency and ethics around all forms of influencing of decision-making, whether foreign (non-EU) or domestic (EU). Our investigations into covert repressive regime interference in EU decision-making (including Russia, Saudia Arabia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Qatar, China, etc) show: * repressive regimes have primarily made use of lobby consultancy firms, as well as PR firms, law firms and thinktanks for their influencing efforts. Out of 128 total lobbying vehicles (from the 21 case studies) 44% were lobby consultancies, only 1 was an NGO. More think tanks were used as front groups than NGOs. Thus the main target of concern should not be front group NGOs. Rather, effective measures should address all intermediaries used by foreign governments. * the EU Transparency Register fails to secure disclosure of lobbying on behalf of foreign governments. CEO often found more information about EU-focused lobbying on behalf of foreign governments in the US FARA register (which is legally binding and with sanctions) than in the EU Transparency Register! The solution is to ensure that the EU Transparency Register becomes mandatory, with strong enforcement and sanctions for violations. The first step towards ensuring transparency and accountability around interference by third country governments must be to evaluate the record of the EU Transparency Register. This, astonishingly, appears to be missing in the Commissions proposals and the 'Call for Evidence'. The most recent reform of the Transparency Register clarified the obligation to disclose lobbying on behalf of third country governments, yet the register still contains almost no such entries. Key failures include that the Register is not legally binding, lacks sanctions and is poorly enforced (lacking resources and investigative powers). Rectifying this should be the highest priority. Effective disclosure requirements (including of funding sources) is crucial to ensure transparency and accountability on interference by third country governments. In addition pro-active disclosure of lobby meetings by decision-makers is necessary. We recommend against a directive that narrowly targets covert interference by third country governments. This would be a risky tool with likely negative impacts for civic space. Interference by third country governments should be covered together with other forms of influencing of EU decision-making. Far better transparency is needed to enable public scrutiny of lobbying influence. The Commission ought to prepare a legislative proposal for mandatory lobby transparency registers both at the EU and at Member State level, which should secure transparency and ethics around all forms of influencing of decision-making, whether from within or outside the EU. We noted that the Call for evidence uses sweeping terms like foreign influence and outside interference. Any new measures must be based on a clear definition of the specific problem that needs to be addressed: the covert influence of non-EU governments and state-linked entities.
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Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Transparency International Liaison Office to the European Union and LobbyControl

27 Mar 2023 · Reform of rules of procedure (EP)

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament) and LobbyControl

22 Mar 2023 · Transparency of lobbying

Meeting with Thor-Sten Vertmann (Cabinet of Commissioner Kadri Simson) and Friends of the Earth Europe and

28 Feb 2023 · Cost of living crisis

Meeting with Martin Häusling (Member of the European Parliament) and Friends of the Earth Europe and

7 Feb 2023 · Übergabe der Petition “Keep New GMOs regulated and labelled!”

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament) and LobbyControl

9 Nov 2022 · Transparency of lobbying

CEO urges stronger labeling for endocrine disruptors and toxins

14 Oct 2022
Topic — The European Commission is revising classification rules for hazardous chemical substances.
Message — The organization requests dedicated pictograms and improved hazard statements for new chemical classes. They recommend keeping transition periods as short as possible to protect users quickly.12
Why — Public health advocates would see improved hazard communication for consumers and safer conditions for workers.3
Impact — Industry players would face new restrictions and stricter requirements for persistent chemical products.4
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Corporate Europe Observatory demands pesticide lobby ban from EU policy-making

19 Sept 2022
Topic — New EU regulation on sustainable use and reduction of plant protection products.
Message — The organization calls for an 80% pesticide reduction by 2030 and full phase-out by 2035, demanding pesticide corporations be excluded from decision-making on the new law. They want stronger reduction targets than currently proposed and changes to measurement indicators.123
Why — This would accelerate the transition away from chemical-dependent agriculture and limit industry influence on environmental policy.45
Impact — Pesticide corporations like BASF, Bayer, Corteva and Syngenta would lose market share in their €53 billion industry.67
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Meeting with Sarah Wiener (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Pesticide Action Network Europe and

25 Jul 2022 · staff only: Discussion on the Harmonised Risk Indicator 1 (SUR proposal)

Meeting with Roberto Reig Rodrigo (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides) and Greenpeace European Unit and

3 May 2022 · New Genomic Techinques

Meeting with Lukas Visek (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Greenpeace European Unit and

3 May 2022 · New genomic techniques

Response to Application of EU health and environmental standards to imported agricultural and agri-food products

16 Mar 2022

Over 2016-2018, pesticide corporations and trade partners have put immense pressure on the EU to allow residues of certain hazardous pesticides - banned in Europe - to be present in food and feed imports. Facing an endless number of visits, letters and reports, complaints and threats at the WTO by the US, Canada and others, the European Commission dropped its original plan to ban residues of these dangerous chemical substances in imports. A legal opinion by the Commission’s own Legal Service, however, had concluded that the Commission’s original plan for a hazard-based approach, was feasible. This service's legal advice is precisely intended to underpin the legality of the Commission's decisions, in particular to reduce the risk of subsequent litigation. While the document was never publicly released, this document will provide essential arguments on the "legal feasibility of applying EU health and environmental standards to imported agricultural and agri-food products". You can find our report with more detail here: https://corporateeurope.org/en/2020/02/toxic-residues-through-back-door
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Meeting with Alvaro De Elera (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová) and Transparency International Liaison Office to the European Union and

1 Mar 2022 · Transparency register

Meeting with Sabrina Pignedoli (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Jan 2022 · Transparency

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and

9 Nov 2021 · Governance, hydrogen

Meeting with Roberto Reig Rodrigo (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides) and Greenpeace European Unit and

11 May 2021 · VTC Meeting - New Genomic Techniques and Gene drives

Meeting with Renate Nikolay (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová) and European Public Health Alliance

21 Jan 2021 · Transparency in tobacco lobbying

Meeting with Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner) and Greenpeace European Unit and

15 Jan 2021 · VC Meeting - Farm to Fork Strategy and GMOs

Meeting with Camilla Bursi (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius)

26 Nov 2020 · to discuss the PPP Circular Bio based Europe

Meeting with Annukka Ojala (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Roberto Reig Rodrigo (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides) and

25 Jun 2020 · VC-meeting on Farm to Fork Strategy and Pesticides.

Corporate Europe Observatory demands end to corporate food capture

16 Mar 2020
Topic — The European Commission’s strategy for a sustainable and fair EU food system.
Message — The group demands binding targets to reduce pesticides and a shift in funding towards sustainable farming. They also urge the EU to limit corporate influence over policy making.12
Why — The organization would achieve its core objective of democratizing the European food chain.3
Impact — Industrial agriculture firms and large retailers would lose their dominant market and political influence.4
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Meeting with Annukka Ojala (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Giorgos Rossides (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Roberto Reig Rodrigo (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides) and

19 Feb 2020 · Farm to Fork

Response to European Partnership for a Circular bio-based Europe

27 Aug 2019

The way the EU has engaged so far with research public-private partnerships (ETPs, JTIs and JUs) has remained quite consistent in the past 15 years, sticking to the same model of letting industry determine strategic research agendas that then inform the Commission's drafting of annual calls for proposals, making sure the Commission's DG Research funds industry's R&D needs. The current evolution is a worsening of this trend, with industry having an increasing say on the very calls to proposals they will submit to and possibly benefit from afterwards. Letting industry steer how precious public research funding should be used, and dedicating billions of euros to such a policy of subsidising industry's R&D projects, at a time when public universities budgets are cut and researchers' working conditions are worsening across the EU, is a sad and terrible policy approach. -> It deprives public research of much-needed funding in times of absolutely urgent societal challenges traditional market-driven approaches are incapable of solving. And to make things worse, industry has been allowed to privatise the research results funded by public money by opting out from the open access condition. -> It forces public researchers to work on industrial priorities at the expense of their own work, and reinforces wrong incentives in public research, damaging scientific freedom and weakening the EU's public research base in the long run. -> By forcing academics to work with industry, it narrows the pool of independent experts available for public risk assessment agencies, which deepens the influence of companies over public regulations. -> It forces public researchers to keep focussing on technological approaches to fixing problems we now know can only be solved with better applying and producing knowledge. -> As these programs mainly benefits multinational companies and because those already systematically evade tax, it further destroys fair competition conditions for SMEs. On the specific "bio-based Europe" partnership idea: -> Creating new demand for biomass today, at the expense of food security and the protection of ecosystems we absolutely need to preserve for supporting future human life on Earth, is, there is no other way of calling it, dangerously stupid. Using even more biomass for industrial uses instead of letting it go back to the soils to protect and enrich them is self-defeating as no biomass can be grown on poor soils in the long run. -> The precedent of the EU's biofuels targets having triggered the devastation of primary forests in Indonesia and Malaysia for palm oil production should be a warning : reporting on plant matter all the demand stemming from our current use of fossils fuels is not feasible (and as the vast majority of biomass on Earth grows in tropical countries this will further aggravate land grabbing, poverty and social conflicts in these countries). At any rate, if leaders of the European Commission absolutely want to give public funding to biomass-based companies for financing R&D projects these companies had already decided to undertake anyway, they should not call this a research and innovation policy but an industrial policy, and they should not empty public research budgets and capacity to finance it.
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Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

20 Apr 2018 · General Food Law

Meeting with Marco Valletta (Cabinet of Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis) and European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility

30 Mar 2017 · EU's Research Policy (Innovation Principle vs. Precautionary Principle)

Meeting with Antoine Colombani (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans), Michelle Sutton (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and

1 Mar 2017 · Transparency Register

Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

9 Dec 2016 · Acrylamide

Meeting with Nathalie Chaze (Cabinet of Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis) and Greenpeace European Unit and Pesticide Action Network Europe

9 Mar 2016 · Glyphosate

Meeting with Angelina Gros-Tchorbadjiyska (Cabinet of Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva)

21 May 2015 · Meeting with Corporate Europe on Commissioners code of Conduct

Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

30 Jan 2015 · The Food Chain, Innovation and Challenges, Food Information to Consumers, Nutrition, and Food Waste, Animal Health, Animal Welfare and Plant Health

Meeting with Giulia Del Brenna (Cabinet of Commissioner Carlos Moedas) and Greenpeace European Unit and Health & Environment Alliance

15 Jan 2015 · Meeting on principles of scientific advice