The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a globally recognized professional body dedicated to promoting and enforcing the highest standards in land, property, construction, and environmental sectors. Founded as an independent, not-for-profit organization, RICS operates in over 146 countries and represents more than 134,000 qualified professionals worldwide. It is widely regarded as the leading authority in property professionalism, with members bound by strict codes of ethics and professional conduct to ensure public trust and consumer protection.
At the European Union level, RICS is actively engaged in lobbying to influence policies affecting the property and construction sectors. Its lobbying efforts focus on ensuring that regulatory frameworks support a fair, competitive, and efficient internal market for services related to land and property. RICS advocates for the removal of unnecessary barriers to cross-border professional services, the harmonization of professional qualifications, and the promotion of transparency and consumer protection.
RICS’s lobbying priorities include key EU legislative files such as the Mortgage Credit Directive, Capital Requirements Directive, Alternative Investment Fund Management Directive, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Energy Efficiency Directive, Professional Qualifications Directive, Anti-Money Laundering regulations, and the Construction 2020 strategy. The institution supports initiatives that foster sustainable development, resource efficiency, and innovation within the built environment.
The organization also plays a significant role in shaping EU policy through its memberships in influential networks such as the European Real Estate Forum (EREF), the European Housing Forum (EHF), and the Council of European Building Control (CEBC). These affiliations enable RICS to collaborate with other stakeholders and amplify its policy positions.
RICS’s lobbying approach is underpinned by credible research, economic analysis, and authoritative advice, positioning it as a trusted commentator on property-related issues. It engages with EU institutions to promote a broad horizontal approach to service market liberalization, opposing restrictive national regulations that hinder professional mobility and multidisciplinary working. RICS emphasizes that its advocacy is always in the public interest, aiming to balance professional standards with market efficiency and consumer choice.
Financially, RICS has declared spending approximately €75,000 on lobbying activities in the EU for the 2017-2018 period, with a dedicated full-time equivalent lobbyist managing these efforts. The organization maintains offices in London and Brussels to support its engagement with EU policymakers.
