Lobbying

The EVA promotes the interests of the whole vending industry vis-à-vis the European Institutions. Its lobbying activities derive from the mandate defined in its mission statement.


The EVA is a not-for-profit trade association, bringing together National Associations and companies. It is an international association governed by Belgian law. It was created in 1994 and aims "to promote the interests of the European Vending Industry with any given party that may affect it so as to optimise the business, administrative and legislative environment in which it operates".

Consequently, it lobbies the European Institutions and other European bodies (World Health Organisation Europe (WHO), other trade associations, NGO’s, etc). Its tasks are to monitor, follow and influence the body of legislation so that the interests of the vending industry are taken well into account.
Its aim is to ensure freedom to vend, sell machines, offer vending services and freely distribute products
As vending is a very diverse industry, EVA lobbying actions cover a wide and technical range of legal areas: environmental, machine-specific, coinage/banknote, food law and hygiene, diet and nutrition, standardisation, payment systems etc.
The EVA is officially recognised by the EU authorities as the representative body of the vending industry. As such, it participates in a number of consultative and/or multi stakeholder forums under the aegis of the EU institutions. The EU Institutions very much value the input of trade associations in that they provide relevant information and data and can positively contribute to producing legislation that is adapted to the “real” economic world.

The European Union’s legislative process is made up of different steps. Each step is a lobbying opportunity. Each step can involve the EVA and/or the National Associations. The European Union is a place where dossiers are discussed between the European Commission, the Member States, the European Parliament and other consultative bodies. The EVA lobbies the Brussels based institutions in a spirit of cooperation with the National Associations. The National Associations are the privileged contacts for lobbying and Public Relations activities at Member State level.

As indicated on the detailed flowchart , showing one of the most common EU Law-making processes, the European legislative process is very complex. The different European Institutions interrelate. It is therefore crucial that the EVA uses all possibilities to influence the process and is informed of any legislative developments.

The EVA has established links with other trade associations and experts. Some members of the EVA are also members of other trade associations. It is therefore essential that stakeholders work together for effective lobbying for the benefit of the whole community.