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04/10/2023 - Article -

Current news and dates

Introduction

The NCP updates its Procedural Guidance

On 1 January 2024, the German National Contact Point for the OECD-Guidelines updated its Procedural Guidance. These Procedural Guidelines will apply to all complaints submitted to the NCP after the Procedural Guidelines have been published on the NCP website (i.e. 29 February 2024). For pending complaints, the NCP will discuss with the parties to what extent the ongoing procedure can be aligned with the new procedure.

You can download the updated Procedural Guidance here (PDF, 643 KB).

OECD launches updated guidelines for multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct

On 8 June, the OECD Council adopted the updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, now called OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. The Guidelines cover all key areas of responsible business conduct, including human rights, labour rights, environment, bribery, consumer interests, disclosure, science and technology, competition, and taxation.

With the update, the 51 Adherents (which include non-OECD members) react to developments over the past decade. The 2023 edition of the Guidelines provides updated recommendations for responsible business conduct across key areas, such as climate change, biodiversity, technology and business integrity, as well as updated implementation procedures for the National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct. A summary of the main changes is available here (PDF, 519 KB).

The updated Guidelines are available here: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/mneguidelines/  

More information is available here: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/

In two events in September, the BMWK, BMUV and the OECD Berlin Centre discussed the updated Guidelines with stakeholders from business, trade unions, civil society, academia and the OECD. More information on these events is available here.

Additional events on the updated Guidelines are planned as follows:

  • 5 October 2023: OECD webinar on the updated chapter of science, technology and innovation
  • Register here.
  • 19 October 2023: OECD-webinar on the updated environment chapter
  • Register here.

Update on NCP processes:

The final report in the NCP-process GfbV against TÜV SÜD AG is now available in the NCP database.

Update on NCP processes:

The final report in the NCP-process Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation against Siemens AG is now available in the NCP database.

Archive

Updated OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct

On 8 June, the OECD adopted the updated OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct. Take a look at the Guidelines here.

OECD Ministerial on RBC

On 14-15 February 2023, representatives from over 60 States, international organizations and stakeholders met in Paris to discuss the contribution of companies to a resilient, sustainable and inclusive world economy. They adopted a Ministerial Declaration (here); and launched the OECD Recommendation on the role of government in RBC is available here. Germany was represented by Parliamentary State-Secretary Franziska Brantner. The press release is available here (in German).

Cooperation protocol signed

On 25 July 2022 Anne-Kathrin Röthemeyer, Head of the German National Contact Point for OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises (NCP), signed a revised cooperation protocol agreed between Deutsche Post DHL Group and global union federations International Transport Workers Federation and UNI Global Union. The protocol is the result of a successful NCP-facilitated mediation procedure in 2016. Under the revised protocol, the parties commit to continuous, constructive dialogue on employment and working relationships. The parties further agree on a joint work plan focusing on issues of common interest, such as the implementation of the German supply chain due diligence law.

The Coronavirus pandemic and responsible business conduct

The coronavirus pandemic had severe implications for both people and business. Responsible business conduct in response to the crisis can lead to short and long-term benefits, such as increased resilience and a stronger contribution of companies to sustainable development. The OECD provides further information on its website.