The OECD Guidelines

A main goal of the OECD Guidelines is that the business sector should contribute to sustainable development. The Guidelines clearly express expectations in ares such as human rights, including labor rights, the environment, anti-corruption and transparency. A core element of the OECD Guidelines is that companies are expected to perform due diligence to avoid causing harm to people, society and the environment.

All OECD countries are obliged to establish national contact points for promoting the the Guidelines as well as establishing a complaint mechanism.

Norway NCP handles complaints against Norwegian enterprises related to the OECD Guidelines. In line with Norway NCP’s mandate of 2018 the NCP will also handle specific instances related to the ILO Declaration concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.

The OECD Guidelines (unabridged):
Norwegian – English (official) – French (official) – Other languages (German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and more)
The ILO Declaration concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy:
Norwegian – English (official)

General policies

Enterprises should operate in accordance with domestic laws and regulations. They should assess, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights, workers’ rights and the environment, and fight corruption. This applies to companies’ own activities and to the supply chain.

Disclosure

Enterprises are expected to regularly disclose information on operations and results, and demonstrate that they are taking responsibility for the themes in the OECD Guidelines in line with the most advanced standards for transparency and reporting.

Human rights

States have the duty to protect and realise human rights. Enterprises should respect human rights and seek ways to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts on human rights through due diligence and remediation processes.

Workers’ rights

Enterprises should respect the rights of workers, cooperate with employee representatives, fight discrimination and contribute to the abolition of child labour and forced labour.

Environment

Enterprises should prevent, mitigate and reduce adverse environmental impacts, for instance through environmental management systems. This is a duty, but also a business opportunity.

Bribery and extortion

Enterprises play an important role in combating corruption and bribery through internal controls, ethics and compliance programmes.

Consumer interests.

Enterprises should act in accordance with fair marketing and advertising practices, and ensure the quality and reliability of the goods and services they provide.

Science and technology

Through the transfer of new technologies between countries, enterprises contribute to economic and social progress. Enterprises play an important role in developing national innovative capacities.

Competition

Enterprises should operate in a manner consistent with all applicable competition laws and regulations, and refrain from anti-competitive activities. This contributes to functioning markets that promote welfare and economic growth.

Taxation

Enterprises should contribute to the public finances of host countries by making timely payment of taxes and avoid inappropriate shifting of profits or losses to reduce the tax burden.

Useful links

Compliance – Operating in Accordance with the Guidelines

The Guidelines reflect good practice for all enterprises in all sectors. While small and medium sized businesses may not have ...

The OECD Guidelines

Compliance – Operating in Accordance with the Guidelines