OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct
Businesses can play an important role in contributing to economic,
environmental and social progress, but to do so they must also ensure thatthey manage negative impacts associated with their activities. Due diligence isa process business can carry out to identify and respond to real andpotential negative impacts related to their own operations as well as
throughout their supply chains.
The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible BusinessConduct, adopted in 2018, provides support to enterprises by providing
practical, clear explanations of how to implement due diligence asrecommended in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. It is thefirst government backed reference on due diligence which is relevant for all
types of companies operating in all countries and sectors of the economy.
This Guidance represents a common understanding among governments
and stakeholders on due diligence for responsible business conduct and canalso be used by businesses to respond to due diligence expectations of theUN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ILO
Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises
and Social Policy. It was developed through a multi-stakeholder processincluding representatives from OECD and non-OECD countries, internationalorganisations, business, trade unions and civil society.

“DUE DILIGENCE FOR RBC :Involves multiple processes and objectives

Concerns internationally recognised
standards on RBC

Is risk-based

Seeks to prevent negative impacts

The business community has a responsibility to conduct business in a way that takes

into account both the bottom line and the impact of their activities on society. The
guidance is a major milestone in ensuring that governments and business can work
together to drive more inclusive and sustainable growth across the world through more
responsible business conduct and due diligence across supply chains.

DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS & SUPPORTING MEASURES“Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General

Does not shift responsibilities

Is tailored to an enterprise’s circumstances

Can be adapted to the limitations ofworking with business relationships

Is dynamic, ongoing and responsive

Involves ongoing communication© OECD 2018

Is informed by engagement with stakeholders

Due diligence aims to address adverse impacts related to the following chapters of the OECD
Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises:

Human Rights

Environment

Employment andIndustrial Relations

Combating Bribery,
Bribe Solicitationand Extortion

ConsumerInterests

Disclosure

The OECD Guidelines aim to ensure an open and transparent international investment environment and toencourage the positive contribution of multinational enterprises to economic and social progress. They
are the most comprehensive set of government-backed recommendations on what constitutes
responsible business conduct. The governments that adhere to the OECD Guidelines represent someof the world’s leading economies and recommend that enterprises operating in or from theirterritories observe the principles and standards set out in the OECD Guidelines.

Sector due diligence guidanceThis Guidance complements existing resources developed by the OECD to help enterprises carry out due
diligence for responsible business conduct in specific sectors and supply chains including in theagriculture, minerals & extractive, garment & footwear and financial sectors :mneguidelines.oecd.org/due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-business-conduct.htm© OECD 2018