Ongoing Debates on Participatory Governance in the EU: Evidence from Consumer Protection and Health

Abstract

This paper addresses the debate on participatory governance and the impact of non-governmental organizations on European Union decision making. The literature argues that NGOs carry limited weight and are often outmaneuvered by business. We look at the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. Consisting of representatives from business and health/consumer organizations, the Platform established a venue in which corporate and societal interests are formally equal. We argue, however, that even the Platform exhibits asymmetry of influence between the two, and NGOs’ preferences remain subordinated to the interests of producer/business groups. In spite of equal representation on the Platform, the food industry persuaded European institutions to accept industry self-regulation and to adopt its preferred version of a pan-European nutritional labeling law.