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  • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct: Promoting human rights

6 Aug 2025 •

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct: Promoting human rights

Background

Following the introduction of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD MNE Guidelines), the OECD has actively promoted responsible business conduct practices across global supply chains in order to boost cross-border trade and investment in accordance with sustainable development objectives.

In fact, the OECD MNE Guidelines is the first global instrument which integrates the promotion of human rights within a corporate context, in alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. A notable feature giving effect to this convergence is the introduction of risk-based due diligence requirements and recommendations under the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business to effectively assist enterprises in addressing and handling adverse impacts related to workers, human rights, the environment, bribery, consumers and corporate governance that may be associated with their operations, supply chains and other business relationships.

Human rights chapter in the OECD MNE Guidelines

Since 2011, when the human rights chapter was introduced in the OECD MNE Guidelines, cases dealing with human rights matters have represented 54% of all cases filed. This chapter is aligned with the UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework and the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.

In particular, the OECD MNE Guidelines recommends that companies comply with global standards and instruments on human rights and take such actions intended to –

  • avoid causing or contributing to human rights risks and implement remedial actions with respect to the identified harms;
  • help prevent or mitigate human rights adverse impacts directly connected to their business activity even if they do not cause or contribute to those harms;
  • undertake human rights due diligence that has regard to distinct and intersecting risks linked to the person or particular communities;
  • engage constructively with impacted communities and workers, including throughout due diligence through ongoing, timely, accessible and adequate consultations with relevant stakeholders with a view to formulating coherent solutions; and
  • have regard to special harms to persons who are most vulnerable to adverse human rights impacts such as marginalisation and propose necessary measures to eliminate barriers for people to reach out.

The role of National Contact Points in promoting human rights

National Contact Points (NCPs) for Responsible Business Conduct offer a unique perspective as part of their functions of promoting the OECD MNE Guidelines in that NCPs are able to promote respect for human rights in global supply chains through a series of initiatives including promotional activities and the provision of good offices to affected parties to address potential violations of the OECD MNE Guidelines.

To ensure coherent actions in accordance with guidance and recommendations from the Human Rights chapter of the OECD MNE Guidelines, NCPs promote, as part of their functions, the OECD MNE Guidelines in a collaborative approach to remind companies of their responsibility to manage human rights impacts whenever they occur, including in relation to other areas such as environment, corruption amongst others.

How can NCP Mauritius help?

As part of its mandate, the National Contact Point Mauritius (NCP Mauritius) is responsible for promoting the OECD MNE Guidelines. Should you have any queries on the OECD MNE Guidelines, or the implications, you may contact the NCP Mauritius on secretariat@ncpmauritius.mu.

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