OrganiSation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a unique international organization that brings together member states and many partners to cooperate in solving critical global issues on national, regional, and local levels. The organisation works to build better policies for better lives. Together with governments, stakeholders and citizens, the OECD works to establish evidence-based international standards and find solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges. Another main priority of the OECD is building stronger economies of member countries, improving efficiency, promoting the market economic system, expanding free trade, as well as supporting the development of all countries. The organization provides an environment where governments can exchange practices, seek answers to common problems, identify good practices and work to coordinate domestic and international policies

OECD GUIDELINES FOR MULTINACIONAL ENTERPRISES

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from countries that have agreed to adhere to them. They aim to encourage positive contribution that enterprises can make to economic, environmental and social progress and to minimize adverse impacts on matters covered by the Guidelines. They are the only multilaterally agreed and comprehensive code of responsible business conduct that governments have committed to promote by complying with a specific type of behavior in accordance with a Decision adopted by the OECD Council. The guidelines cover all key areas of responsible business conduct, including:

Human rights;
Labor rights;
Environment;
Bribery and corruption;
Consumer interest;
Science, technology and innovation;
Disclosure
Competition;
Taxation.

In 2023 the Guidelines were updated based on the 2011 edition. The 2023 edition of the Guidelines provides updated recommendations for responsible business conduct in key areas such as climate change, biodiversity, technology, business integrity and supply chain due diligence, as well as updated implementation procedures for National Contact Point for Responsible business conduct.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2023.pdf

BULGARIAN NATIONAL CONTACT POINT FOR RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT

The National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP) are structures established by governments whose main responsibilities are to promote the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the related Due Diligence Guidance and to deal with a cases of non-compliance with the OECD Guidelines (specific cases) as a non-judicial grievance mechanism.

Over time, National Contact Points establish themselves as an increasingly important tool for the implementation and promotion of policies related to responsible business conduct, and to date 51 countries have this non-judicial mechanism in place. This is achieved through the introduction and implementation of national action plans for business and in the protection of human rights, as well as through the performance of its activity of providing answers to inquiries on various regulatory developments. All 51 governments that adhere to the OECD Guidelines have a legal obligation to establish a national contact point. Today, NCPs constitute a network and community of practitioners who address a wide range of impacts involving companies, through their operations or their supply chains.

SPECIFIC INSTANCES

The Guidelines are the only international instrument supported by governments with a built-in complaint system. This complaint mechanism through the OECD National Contact Points platforms is known as the “Specific Instances”. In case of suspicion/established non-compliance with the OECD Guidelines, a natural or legal person has the possibility to file a report against an enterprise. After submitting the signal, the NCP must take action to conduct discussions and assist the parties in finding a solution or undertake a commitment to deal with the cases that have arisen. These actions must be handled impartial, predictable, and equitable, consistent with the principles and standards described in the Guidelines.

Specific instances do not have the force of legal cases, and the NCP is not a legal body.