Background

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are non-binding recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. Their aim is to help Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) operate in harmony with government policies and with societal expectations. The recommendations contained in the Guidelines provide guidance on appropriate business conduct across the full range of MNE activities. They provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a variety of areas including employment and industrial relations, human rights, environment, information disclosure, competition, taxation, and science and technology. The Guidelines are one part of a broader OECD investment instrument called the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. They are supported by implementation procedures in the participating countries, which comprise all 30 OECD member countries, and six non-member countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia)*.

*as of June 1, 2002

Adhering countries to the OECD Declaration and Decisions on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises set up National Contact Points for undertaking promotional activities, handling inquiries, and for discussions with the parties concerned on all matters covered by the Guidelines so that they can contribute to the solution of problems which may arise in this connection. The U.S. National Contact Point seeks to raise awareness of the Guidelines including through cooperation, as appropriate, with the business community, employee organizations, and other non-governmental organizations and the public.