EU PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY THROUGH EUROPEAN TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

There are roughly 1,500 European Trade Associations that play a prominent role in EU public affairs. They may be divided into 3 categories: Large, Medium and Small. The main challenge for European Associations is finding consensus between corporate members who compete with each other for market share, and national associations with very different cultures. In the wake of the financial crisis there is an expectation for stronger association leadership among their members. Companies are taking control away from national associations, and traditional minute-taking ‘Secretary Generals’ are increasingly being replaced by ‘Director Generals’ who are strategists, industry experts and EU players.

European Trade Associations follow three basic types:

• 60% are made up of national associations only.
• 25% are a mix of associations and companies.
• 15% have direct company membership only.

Some associations add a great deal of value to their members. Typically the best associations have excellent people within the leadership teams of their secretariats, at the level of Director General, Director of Communications, or Head of Public Affairs. Working together they communicate effectively internally and externally, and deliver favourable EU policy outcomes for their members.
 

Overall  there are four key success factors for European trade associations:

1. Effective leadership from the Director General and the Board.
2. Proactive EU public affairs driven by a politically-aware secretariat.
3. Integrated communications led by a Director of Communications who is part of the management team.
4. Demonstrable value for membership according to clear criteria.

The 7 most  important ways that European associations add value to their members are:

1. EU influence. Associations protect their members’ licence to operate, and manage regulatory threats and opportunities.
2. Brussels expertise and presence. Associations complement or add significantly to their members’ in-house capability.
3. Networking with other industry representatives. Members really value the relationships and conversations they can have with their colleagues from other companies at association meetings.
4. Industry information and intelligence. An association is often the main sources of data on an industry, and a unique venue to gain competitive insight.
5. Promoting the industry and its reputation. As the public face of an industry, an association shapes media and public perceptions.
6. Developing standards. The association provides access to best practice, industry guidelines, professional standards and a seal of credibility among business partners and investors.
7. Conferences and training. Some European associations generate 30% of their income from training alone. The AGM is usually a key date for the industry.

The large European trade associations

• European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC). Estimated Number of Staff: 140
• Committee of Professional Organisations in the European Union (COPA-COGECA). Estimated Number of Staff: 57
• European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC). Estimated Number of Staff 50
• BUSINESSEUROPE. Estimated Number of Staff : 45
• European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA). Estimated Number of Staff : 42
• Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD). Estimated Number of Staff : 40
• EuroChambres. Estimated Number of Staff:  32
• PlasticsEurope. Estimated Number of Staff : 25
• Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA). Estimated Number of Staff: 23
• Eurelectric. Estimated Number of Staff: 23
• Association of European Airlines (AEA). Estimated Number of Staff: 22
• Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER). Estimated Number of Staff: 22
• European Insurance Committee (CEA). Estimated Number of Staff: 20
• European Cement Association. Estimated Number of Staff : 20
• European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME). Estimated Number of Staff: 20
• Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). Estimated Number of Staff: 19
• Eurocommerce. Estimated Number of Staff: 19
• European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Estimated Number of Staff: 19
• European Banking Association (EBF). Estimated Number of Staff: 18
• European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA). Estimated Number of Staff: 18
• European Aluminium Association (EAA). Estimated Number of Staff: 17
• Conservation of Clean Air and Water in Europe (CONCAWE). Estimated Number of Staff: 15
• European Landowners Organisation (ELO). Estimated Number of Staff: 15
• Croplife International. Estimated Number of staff: 15

The Medium-sized trade associations (Estimated 250)

• European Crop Protection Association (ECPA). Estimated number of staff: 14
• European Association of Metals (EUROMETAUX). Estimated number of staff:  13
• European Copper Institute. Estimated number of staff: 13
• Europabio. Estimated number of staff: 13
• European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO). Estimated number of staff: 12
• European Apparel and Textile Organisation (EURATEX). Estimated number of staff: 12
• Airports Council International – European Region (ACI Europe). Estimated number of staff: 12
• European Petroleum Industry Association (EUROPIA). Estimated number of staff: 11
• European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). Estimated number of staff: 10
• European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Estimated number of staff: 10
• European Fertilizer Manufacturers (EFMA). Estimated number of staff: 9
• Europa Construction Industry Federation. Estimated number of staff: 9
• Comité Européen des Fabricants de Sucre (CEFS). Estimated number of staff :  9
• European Compound Feed Manufacturers Federation (FEFAC). Estimated number of staff: 8
• Association of the Chocolate and Confectionery Industries of the EU (CAOBISCO): Estimated number of staff: 8
• Brewers of Europe. Estimated number of Staff:  8
• European Telecommunications Network Operators Association (ETNO). Estimated number of staff:  8
• European LPG Association (AEGPL). Estimated number of staff:  7
• European Dairy Association (EDA). Estimated number of staff: 7

The Small Trade Associations (Estimated at between 700 and 800)