1. Hotel Viengtai, Bangkok
Corporate Accountability: Tools to Promote Responsible Business Conduct
Hotel Viengtai, Bangkok
4-6 November 2009

2. A Tool to Promote Responsible Business Conduct

3. What makes them unique?
Only multilaterally endorsed code that OECD governments have signaled commitment to promote
Tripartite support
BIAC/ TUAC/ Government
OECD Watch
National Contact Point Structure
Promotion of Guidelines to business
Handling Specific Instances
Complaint mechanism
There is someone responsible for investigating violations
Low cost option for NGO advocacy

4. More Information: www.oecdwatch.org Quarterly Case Updates
OECD Watch Briefing Papers & reports
OECD Watch newsletters
OECD Watch Guide to the Guidelines
OECD Watch Fact Sheets

5. What do they cover?
Concepts & principles, e.g. ownership, size of enterprise, equity of treatment
General policies, e.g. human rights, human capital, sustainable development
Disclosure
Employment & industrial relations
Environment
Combating bribery
Consumer interests
Science & technology
Competition
Taxation

6. Who do they apply to?
Recommendations for responsible business conduct approved by government to MNEs operating in, or from, the territories of adhering countries
30 adhering OECD member countries
10 non -OECD member adhering countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Estonia, Egypt, Israel, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Romania)
Directed at MNE’s via signatory countries

7. What are the OECD Guidelines for MNEs
Voluntary principles & standards to promote corporate responsibility
Soft law, non-judicial, not legally binding
Are becoming more normative
Do not override national laws
Based on international treaties and conventions, e.g. ILO Fundamental Principles & Rights at Work
Governed by the OECD Investment Committee
Promoted and implemented by National Contact Points (NCP’s)