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The term 'lobbyist' is not defined but refers to 'organisations and self-employed individuals engaged in EU policymaking and policy implementation'. The EU uses an activity-based definition ((i.e. whether an entity is a lobbyist depends on what the organisation does, and not on its legal status). Lobbying activities therefore cover 'all activities [...] carried out with the objective of directly or indirectly influencing the formulation or implementation of policy and the decision-making processes of the EU institutions, irrespective of the channel or medium of communication [...]'. The EU definition of lobbying, which also covers indirect lobbying, has a very broad scope when compared to other similar systems.

Lobbying Activity (non-exhaustive examples of lobbying activity):

•  contacting Members, officials or other staff of the EU institutions;
• preparing, circulating and communicating letters, information material or discussion and position papers;
• organising events, meetings or promotional activities and social events or conferences, to which Members, officials or other staff of the EU institutions have been invited;
• voluntary contributions and participation in formal consultations on envisaged EU legislative or other legal acts and other open consultations.

Definition of direct and indirect lobbying (influencing policy-making):

• 'directly influencing' means influencing by way of a direct contact or communication with the EU institutions or other action following up on such activities.
• 'indirectly influencing' means influencing through the use of intermediate vectors such as media, public opinion, conferences or social events, targeting the EU institutions.