CPB's clients
With its analyses, CPB informs not only politicians and policymakers but also societal organisations, the scientific community and the general public. CPB conducts its research on its own initiative, as well as upon request by a limited group. Within this group are the Cabinet, government ministries, the Parliament, individual members or factions of Parliament, and political parties (parties in office, as well as opposition parties). Also able to call on CPB's research efforts are employers' and employees' organisations, the Social Economic Council and several other institutes and organisations in the field of social economic policy and research.Formally, all requests not originating from the government must pass through the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Minister decides whether or not CPB will answer a particular request, or may determine that CPB may participate only to the extent that the request fits within CPB's common activities. Such a request to the Minister need not contain detailed information about specific policy proposals. For instance, in the preparation of a counter budget or an election platform requestors are not obliged to reveal their strategies at an early stage.
To ensure its independence, CPB conducts its analyses free of charge: exceptions mainly concern requests for research by international organisations such as the EU and the OECD. This prevents clients from making high demands upon CPB results. As a journalist once said, "good advice is for free".
To prevent unfair competition between CPB and commercial research institutes, the bureau is allowed to work only for the group of clients mentioned above. CPB is obliged to turn down the requests of other organisations, such as municipalities, provinces, companies or action groups -also when clients offer to pay for the research.
