• General information (OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct)

In cooperation with representatives from the employers' side (BIAC – Business and Industry Advisory Committee), from the unions (TUAC – Trade Union Advisory Committee) and from NGOs (OECD Watch), the OECD has produced a comprehensive document (PDF, 2.4MB) supplementing the existing sector-specific guidances. This is intended to help all those companies not already covered by the more specific guidances. The document addresses general issues of responsible business conduct.

  • Supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas

The ‘OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas’ (PDF: 3.5 MB) was drawn up in a two-year process involving governments, the business community and civil society, including participation from the eleven countries in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and from international organisations.It contains detailed recommendations for companies, the intention being to prevent the extraction and trading of minerals from being used to foster conflicts and human rights violations in the relevant areas. The guidance is addressed to all companies involved in extracting raw materials in conflict-affected and high-risk areas.

  • Agricultural supply chains

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) presented the Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains on 11 March 2016. The OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains (PDF: 4.4 MB) was elaborated by the OECD and the FAO in the context of a multi-stakeholder procedure together with government representatives, the social partners and non-governmental organisations. The work started in October 2013. The German government supported the work to draw up the Guidance. The recommendations contained in the Guidance aim to help companies in supply chains for agricultural products meet their corporate social responsibility, comply with existing standards in terms of human rights, workers’ rights, health, the right to food, land rights, the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources, good corporate governance, animal welfare, and technology and innovation, and prevent or reduce the negative consequences of their business activities.

  • Stakeholder engagement in the extractive sector (mining, oil and gas industries)

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Engagement in the Extractive Sector was elaborated together with government representatives, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the context of consultations that took more than two years to complete. It addresses the dialogue with and the involvement of interest groups and parties concerned in the extractive sector (exploration and exploitation of oil, gas and mineral resources). It aims to prevent and reduce detrimental effects of business activities in these sectors, particularly by including stakeholders in the project planning and in regular operations, and by developing a strategy for the involvement of stakeholders.

  • Supply chains in the textile sector

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector (PDF: 2 MB) was jointly drawn up by governments, companies, civil society and international organisations in a two-year process chaired by Germany. It provides companies with recommendations on how they can implement their due diligence obligations specifically in the garment and footwear sector. It offers companies detailed support, e.g. by highlighting specific risks for the sector like child labour, forced labour, dangers relating to health and safety at work, or hazardous chemicals. The German government’s work on drafting the Guidance should also be seen in the context of its commitment to the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles.

  • Supply chains in the financial sector

On 28 March 2017, the OECD adopted guidance to promote responsible business conduct for institutional investors. "The recommendations Responsible Business Conduct for Institutional Investors" (2 MB) were drawn up in cooperation with a group of more than 50 stakeholders. The document offers institutional investors help with implementing the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in their specific sector and thus prevents investments from having detrimental effects, for example on human and workers’ rights, the environment, or corruption. The Guidance addresses individual stages of a company’s due diligence process and cites specific measures to prevent and alleviate negative effects of business activities. It thus makes an important contribution towards fostering responsible business conduct in the financial sector, something which is indispensable for the creating of a sustainable global economy.”