The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published its Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNE) 2016 – the year which marked their 40th anniversary. The report’s publication came just before the annual OECD’s global forum on responsible business conduct.
This report covers the activities undertaken to promote the effective implementation of the guidelines by the OECD’s Secretariat, the countries whose governments have signed up to the and their National Contact Points (NCPs) during 2016. The report noted that during the year several important developments took place in policy and legislation which supported further implementation of the guidelines.
The Council of Europe’s recommendation of the committee of ministers to member States on human rights and business included references to the guidelines as a risk assessment framework and encouraged Council of Europe member states to take steps to adhere to and implement the guidelines. The Council of Europe also encouraged adherents to the declaration to ensure the effectiveness of their NCPs. Meanwhile, the report stated that the 2016 International Labour Conference addressed decent work in global supply chains and the International Labour Organisation governing body adopted a five-year programme of action which promotes partnership with the OECD.
Draft Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct was published in December 2016 – with consultation on this ending in February this year and final guidance due to be completed by the end of 2017. This built upon the sector-related guidance that the OECD also produced in 2016. In July 2016 the OECD’s Council adopted the recommendation of the Council on the Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector and also the recommendation of the Council on the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector was approved by the
OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct (WPRBC) in November 2016 and the OECD investment committee in January 2017. The paper on Responsible business conduct for institutional investors was unanimously endorsed by the multi-stakeholder advisory group to the project on responsible business conduct in the financial sector in December 2016 and agreed by the WPRBC in January 2017 and the investment committee in February 2017.
Among the subjects under discussion at the global forum on responsible business in Paris was due dilgence in global supply chains and the investment sector guidance as well as human rights and collective action on anti-corruption & human rights and the private sector contribution to meeting the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Last Updated: 30 June 2017