New lobbying legislation comes into effect today.

Lobbyists will be required to record and register their activities with the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).

They will also have to make returns of any lobbying activity every four months, with the first returns due in January.

It means for the first time, people who conduct lobbying activities will have to register on a publicly accessible website and submit returns of their lobbying activity.

People who fail to do this could face a fine or imprisonment.

"Persons likely to be lobbying have been encouraged to pre-register on the site and familiarise themselves with the process of drafting and submitting returns", SIPO says.

Sherry Perault is head of lobbying regulation with SIPO.

She explained to Newstalk Breakfast what the new legislation means.