About us
We are responsible for promoting the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct and for operating the complaints mechanism set out in the guidelines.
Who we are
The UK National Contact Point (UK NCP) was established in 2000 as a small unit in the government department responsible for UK investment policy.
We have a dedicated budget, and are made up of a small team of permanent civil servants who work exclusively on the priorities of the UK NCP.
We report on our activities to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on an annual basis.
Our responsibilities
We are responsible for:
- handling complaints in relation to the OECD guidelines in line with our established procedures
- promoting awareness of the OECD guidelines to businesses, non-government organisations (NGOs) and trade unions through presentations, events, replying to email enquiries, and meeting with interested parties
- promoting the OECD’s proactive agenda on identifying and developing due diligence guidance on specific sectors, such as agriculture, mining and garment and footwear production
- contributing to the government’s wider agenda on corporate social responsibility by working with other government departments on:
- implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through the UK’s National Action Plan
- transparency in supply chains as part of the Modern Slavery Act
- the government’s work on conflict minerals
- the Sustainable Development Goals
OECD guidelines
The OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises contain recommendations for responsible business conduct in a global context.
They are aimed at all types of multinational enterprise, large and small, and cover topics including:
- corporate governance
- human rights
- employment and industrial relations
- the environment
- combating bribery and corruption
- consumer interests
- competition
- taxation
The OECD guidelines were established in 1976 as part of the OECD Investment Declaration.
The UK and all states who have signed up to the declaration and the guidelines are committed to having a NCP to promote the guidelines and considering complaints brought against businesses for not observing them.