New entrants to the diplomatic arena represents different groupings and organisations of local, national and international interests. These divergent forces co-exist with each other and exercise different forms of diplomatic influence to achieve their objectives. These newly emerged diplomatic functions and roles can be categorized in the following manner:

In the United States, the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act defines "lobbying activity" as "any efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation or planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time of its preparation, for use in contacts and coordination with the lobbying activities of others." An individual must register as a lobbyist if they spend more than 20 percent of their time on "lobbying activity."

The EU defines ‘Interest Representation' as “activities carried out with the objective of influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions”. This definition does not include:

– activities concerning legal and other professional advice, in so far as they relate to the exercise of the fundamental right to a fair trial of a client, including the right of defence in administrative proceedings, such as carried out by lawyers or by any other professionals involved therein;

The revised Agreement (EP + EC) concerning the Transparency Register includes a strengthening of the Code of Conduct. Here after is the 'new Code of Conduct'

The parties hereto (read EP + EC) consider that all interest representatives interacting with them, whether on a single occasion or more frequently, registered or not, should behave in conformity with this code of conduct.

In their relations with EU institutions and their Members, officials and other staff, interest representatives shall: