OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct
The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises. They aim to encourage positive contributions enterprises can make to economic, environmental and social progress, and to minimise adverse impacts on matters covered by the Guidelines that may be associated with an enterprise’s operations, products and services. The Guidelines cover all key areas of business responsibility, including human rights, labour rights, environment, bribery and corruption, consumer interests, disclosure, science and technology, competition, and taxation. The 2023 edition of the Guidelines provides updated recommendations for responsible business conduct across key areas, such as climate change, biodiversity, technology, business integrity and supply chain due diligence, as well as updated implementation procedures for the National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct.
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2023 update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct
Since their introduction in 1976, the Guidelines have been continuously updated to remain fit for purpose in light of societal challenges and the evolving context for international business. The 2023 update reflects a decade of experience since their last review in 2011 and responds to urgent social, environmental, and technological priorities facing societies and businesses.
The updated Guidelines were released on 8 June within the context of the 2023 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. Key updates are summarised here.
OECD Recommendation on the Role of Government in Promoting Responsible Business Conduct
The Recommendation is an OECD legal instrument in the field of responsible business conduct. It lays out principles and policy recommendations to assist policymakers and relevant stakeholders in designing and implementing policies that enable and promote responsible business conduct.
OECD Due Diligence Guidance
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This guidance provides practical support to enterprises on the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. |
Responsible Business Conduct thematic areas
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The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises reflect the expectation from governments to businesses on how to act responsibly. They bring together all thematic areas of business responsibility, including human rights and labour rights, as well as information disclosure, environment, bribery and corruption, consumer interests, science and technology, competition, and taxation. This comprehensiveness is a unique feature of the Guidelines and makes it the only government-backed instrument covering all major sustainability risks. |