EFA urges ePrivacy Regulation negotiations to abandon proposal for mandatory prefix on nonprofits’ calls

With discussions on the draft EU ePrivacy Regulation now underway, a new proposal has come to light that would force nonprofits to use the same compulsory prefix with their telephone calls as commercial organisations.

In response, EFA has written to the representatives of the European Parliament, Council and Commission involved in the negotiations (the trilogue) on behalf of members. It argues that such a move would impact fundraising by giving the impression that nonprofits’ calls are for commercial or marketing activities.

Charlotte Rydh, EFA President, comments:

“Making a prefix compulsory, even for non-commercial calls from nonprofits, will have a direct impact on the fundraising activities of NGOs and charities in the EU. We are surprised then to see the trilogue negotiations propose that a mandatory prefix replace the option of choosing between a calling line identification and a prefix. Neither the Council nor the European Parliament has received a mandate for such a measure, and this was not in the original proposal from the Commission.

“On behalf of nonprofit organisations around Europe raising funds for their important and vital work, the European Fundraising Association urges calls from nonprofit organisations to be distinguished from commercial marketing calls.”

EFA asks the trilogue parties to stick to the text proposed by the European Commission and agreed by the European Parliament, and let the current option of choosing between a prefix and a calling line identification remain.

This, it argues, enables nonprofits to distinguish themselves from marketing calls. Using the same mandatory prefix, on the other hand, could lead to their calls being blocked and reduce the number of people nonprofits are able to reach.

The letter went out this week (18 May), and EFA is also encouraging members to take appropriate action in their countries, including lobbying with their EU representatives.

For more on this issue, read Patrick Gibbels’ latest piece, New ePrivacy Regulation proposal could leave nonprofit and commercial calls indistinguishable.

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