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OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the Guidelines) were first agreed in 1976. The most recent revision was in 2000. The Guidelines are recommendations on responsible business conduct addressed by Governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from their territories. Although many businesses have developed their own codes of conduct in recent years, the OECD Guidelines are the only multilaterally endorsed and comprehensive code that Governments are committed to promoting.

Although endorsed by Governments, the Guidelines are voluntary and not intended to override local laws and regulations. They are perhaps best described as supplementary principles and standards of corporate behaviour of a non-legal character. 

The Guidelines are divided into eight chapters that contain advice for business in areas such as employment and industrial relations, combating bribery consumer interests and taxation. Also included in the Guidelines are implementation procedures and detailed commentaries that provide information and an explanation of the Guidelines' text. 

United Kingdom National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises(MNEs)

A major change in the 2000 version of the Guidelines is a requirement of adhering countries to establish a National Contact Point (NCP). The function of the NCP is to promote the Guidelines and to contribute to the resolution of issues arising from their implementation. 

Following criticism of the NCP by the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Great (APPG) Lakes and Genocide Prevention, the Government launched a stakeholder consultation of the NCP’s promotion and implementation of the Guidelines. The Government’s response was published on 13 July 2006 (Click on APPG & Stakeholder Consultation navigation links on left of this page  for further details). A revamped NCP is in the process of being established.

In August 2006, it was announced that the NCP had been re-established as a tripartite body comprised of officials from the Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Department for International Development and the Foreign Office. In addition, a Steering Board is currently in the process of being established. It will include independent members and will meet approximately quarterly under the chairmanship of a senior DTI official.

Countries Adhering to the OECD Guidelines

A. OECD Members

B. Non-OECD members that have also adhered

Argentina, Brazil,Chile, Israel, Estonia,Latvia, Lithuania, Romania & Slovenia

Latest Guidelines news and issues, including UK NCP activities:

27-29 March 2007 - NCP officials participate in meetings of OECD Investment Committee and Working Party.

20 March 2007 - NCP officials and Chair of NCP Steering Board met the Joint Working Group on Corporate Responsibility (JWG) that has been established by the All party Parliamentary group on the Great Lakes and Genocide Prevention.  Officials updated JWG members on the establishment of the NCP's Steering Board.

14 November 2006 - Ian McCartney (Minister of State, Trade and Investment) met Joint Working Group on Corporate Responsibility (which has been established by the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes Region of Africa) to exchange views on the revamped NCP, the role of the NCP's Steering Board and to seek ideas for a campaign to promote the OECD Guidelines.

14 November  2006 - Ian McCartney (Minister of State, Trade and Investment) met Joint Working Group on Corporate Responsibility ( which ahs been established by the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes Region of Africa) to exchange views on the revamped NCP, the role of the NCP's Steering Board and to seek ideas for a campaign to promote the OECD Guidelines.

16-17 October 2006 - Presentation on revamped NCP given at breakfast meeting organised at Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative conference, Oslo.

6 October 2006 - Presentation on revamped NCP given to International Chambers of Commerce Committee on Anti-Corruption.

20-21 June 2006 – Annual NCP meeting - The meeting focussed on promotion and mediation under the Guidelines.

Give us your views on the Guidelines

We are interested to hear your views on the Guidelines, particularly practical experience of their use and where improvements may be made.If you have any comments or questions please contact (providing your name, contact details and who you represent):

Contact:

Margaret Sutherland
Tel: 0207 215 5756
Fax: 0207 215 2234
Email: margaret.sutherland@dti.gsi.gov.uk