Co-operation with partners all over the globe is an important aspect of OECD's work on enabling responsible business conduct (RBC) and promoting the implementation of RBC instruments. The OECD works with governments, businesses and stakeholders through dedicated programmes and ad-hoc projects. Engagement, particularly with businesses to implement due diligence standards, and with governments to create an enabling framework for RBC, is a priority for this co-operation.
Promoting Responsible Supply Chains in Asia
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The OECD has worked with key Asian partners for a number of years to promote responsible investment and RBC. Under a new programme, implemented together with the International Labour Organisation and the European Union, the OECD will contribute its extensive expertise on trade and investment and on risk-based RBC due diligence to support in-country policy developments and action to create an enabling environment for RBC, to boost industry capacity , and to raise awareness of the importance of RBC. The programme will be undertaken over 3 years (2018-2020) in partnership with Japan, an OECD member and the only country under the Programme that has adhered to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and has set up a National Contact Point (NCP), and five partner economies, namely China, Thailand, Viet Nam, Philippines, and Myanmar. A significant component of the activities will include working directly with businesses to promote responsible supply chains through implementing RBC due diligence. Download the programme overview
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With funding by the European Union |
Latest events and resources
- Technical Seminar to Raise Awareness on Key RBC Concepts: 13 December 2018, Guangzhou
- 3rd Japan-Europe CSR Business Dialogue Meeting under the Framework of Japan-EU Industrial Policy Dialogue Working Group on Corporate Social Responsibility: 23 November 2018, Brussels
- EU-Philippines Business Summit: 18 October 2018, Manila
- Symposium co-hosted by Keidanren/ILO/OECD “Responsible Business of Japanese Companies and their Supply Chains in Asia” : 15 October 2018, Tokyo
- Launch of a seminar series on Responsible Business Conduct: 5 July 2018, Yangon Myanmar
- ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights Inter-regional dialogue on business and human rights: 4-6 June 2018, Bangkok Thailand
The pilot is a valuable opportunity for companies in Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam to understand how application of international recommendations and standards in supply chain due diligence can help strengthen management practices, promote responsible agricultural supply chains and support business contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
RBC Country Reviews
As part of its work to implement the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the OECD produces country reports that examine the role of responsible business conduct in building healthy business environments. These reports provide concise and basic information to investors on the existing responsible business conduct expectations in the featured countries. The reports are sometimes published as part of the OECD Investment Policy Review series.
Japan
The Japan activities under the Programme involve close co-operation with the NCP to support continued Japanese leadership in the region on promoting responsible supply chains and implementing OECD RBC standards. The OECD will also be working with Japanese businesses - in particular in the electronics and vehicle parts sectors – to support RBC due diligence and explore innovative and concrete ways to address environmental, social and human rights issues related to the global supply chains in these sectors.
China
China is a key partner country of the OECD and collaboration on RBC focuses on supporting the alignment of Chinese RBC sector standards with international standards. The partnership under the Asia RBC Programme builds on the development and promotion of the Chinese Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains (which is based on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected Areas) and the active participation of China in the development of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for the Garment and Footwear Sector and cooperation on its implementation. Building on the constructive outcome of the OECD-China Joint Programme of Work for 2015-16, the OECD and China are currently in discussion for a new joint work programme for 2018-20, which includes strengthening cooperation on RBC. Activities will be centered on supporting RBC the electronics and textiles sectors.
Find out more on the Promoting Responsible Supply Chains in China project page
Thailand
The OECD and Thailand signed an enhanced co-operation programme in May 2018, drawing on Thailand’s 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021) and OECD member country priorities. These include four areas: on governance and transparency, business climate and competitiveness (including responsible business conduct), “Thailand 4.0” and inclusive growth. Co-operation on RBC will take place in the context of the development by Thailand of its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Activities will also include supporting RBC in the agriculture and vehicle parts sectors.
Philippines
Co-operation with the Philippines will build on previous engagement with the country in the context of the 2016 Investment Policy Review, as well as the 2017 Agricultural Policies. A specific focus in the Philippines will be to promote business competitiveness and private sector action toward the SDGs in the agriculture sector through the implementation of the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.
Myanmar
Myanmar and OECD have been collaborating since the opening of Myanmar’s economy in 2011. The 2014 OECD Investment Policy Review of Myanmar was one of the first international initiatives carried out with the Myanmar government in the area of investment policy and included a strong RBC component. Activities in Myanmar will focus on supporting an in-depth analysis of enabling policies for RBC as part of the 2nd OECD Investment Policy Review, expected to be completed in 2019-2020, as well as working with businesses on the implementation of due diligence. Activities will also include supporting RBC in the seafood and agriculture sectors.
Viet Nam
Viet Nam participates in the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme and has co-operated in several policy reviews with the OECD, notably Investment Policy Reviews (2009 and 2017, forthcoming) and the Review of Agricultural Policies in Viet Nam (2015). Viet Nam also participates in the OECD-Southeast Asia Corporate Governance Initiative. Engagement with businesses will include activities in the agriculture as well as garment and footwear sectors.