Responsible Business Conduct

Guidance and Support for Responsible Business

The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) provides guidance, promotion and support for responsible business practices, engaging the private sector, labor groups, non-governmental organizations, and other governments, based on international best practices. EB advances responsible business conduct through the OECD and the Secretary’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence, and houses the U.S. National Contact Point, which offers a dispute resolution mechanism under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. By helping U.S. companies promote human rights, respect for rule of law, sustainability, and investments in local communities, governments and consumers around the world seek U.S. products, services, and investments. The Office of Investment Affairs (IFD/OIA) promotes responsible business conduct through work at the OECD and housing the U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs coordinates the annual Award for Corporate Excellence.  

U.S. National Contact Point

The U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines helps promote awareness on issues such as labor rights, human rights, anti-corruption, supply chain due diligence, and more.  The U.S. National Point of Contact team offers a dispute resolution and mediation mechanism that can assist companies, labor groups, and NGOs when issues arise related to implementing responsible business conduct in a company’s operations.

Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence

The Secretary of State’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) recognizes and honors U.S. companies that uphold high standards as responsible members of their communities and represent American values in the way they do business in their overseas operations.