The OECD Guidelines for Multinational
Enterprises are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational
enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. They provide non-binding
principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a global context
consistent with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards.
The Guidelines are the only multilaterally
agreed and comprehensive code of responsible business conduct that governments
have committed to promoting. The
Guidelines’ recommendations express the shared values of the governments of
countries from which a large share of international direct investment
originates and which are home to many of the largest multinational enterprises.
The Guidelines aim to promote positive contributions by enterprises to
economic, environmental and social progress worldwide.
The updated Guidelines and the related Decision
were adopted by the 42 adhering governments on 25 May 2011 at the OECD’s 50th
Anniversary Ministerial Meeting.
