– The Guidelines have now been modernised and will remain the main guidelines for businesses that want to operate responsibly, Frode Elgesem states in the preface of the Norwegian NCP’s annual report.
Another important milestone was Norway’s first conference on the OECD Guidelines and responsible business conduct, organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the NCP, in cooperation with the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO). A fully packed venue at the Munch Museum and positive feedback demonstrate great engagement among different stakeholders.
In June 2023, the NCP launched its second business survey, about a year after the Transparency Act entered into force. The most important positive changes since the previous survey were increasing involvement and work in corporate boards on responsible business conduct and sustainability and a higher proportion of companies addressing risks with respect to human rights, the environment and climate change.
Promotion and guidance on responsible business conduct constitute an extensive part of the NCP’s work. During 2023, events the NCP organized and participated in reached out to a total of 4,300 people. Handling specific instances and international cooperation are also important tasks of the NCP. In 2023, the NCP has handled several complex specific instances, participated in the OECD Ministerial Meeting, the OECD Forum for Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector and network meetings for all National Contact Points, as well as being part of a field trip to Bangladesh.