[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11114-11115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04178]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 11647]


National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct: Notice of 
Opportunity To Submit Written Comments

SUMMARY: On June 16, 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced 
on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration that the Department will 
soon begin updating and revitalizing the United States' National Action 
Plan on Responsible Business Conduct (NAP RBC) for U.S. businesses 
operating and investing abroad. This notice provides background and 
welcomes written comments concerning this initiative for U.S. 
Government agencies to take into account in developing the updated NAP 
RBC. Comments may concern issues addressed in the prior (2016) NAP RBC 
or other issues suggested as priorities.

DATES: Comments must be received May 31, 2022. Logistics for submitting 
comments are described below.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#DOS-2022-0002.
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon and complete the required 
fields; and
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
    <bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to: ATTN: RBC-NAP, U.S. 
Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, 2201 C St. NW, Washington, 
DC 20520, Office of Investment Affairs (EB/IFD/OIA), Room 4669.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information

[[Page 11115]]

(e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or 
otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. We will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Administration is updating the NAP RBC 
to show how the U.S. Government encourages businesses to achieve high 
standards of responsible business conduct and champions U.S. businesses 
that demonstrate best practices in that regard. It will also highlight 
what the U.S. Government is doing, including with partners, to 
encourage responsible business conduct by U.S. businesses operating and 
investing abroad.
    The Department of State is leading the update of the NAP RBC in 
coordination with the White House and other federal agencies. The 
process will involve U.S. private sector, civil society, and workers' 
organizations, and will serve to promote RBC by U.S. businesses 
operating and investing abroad. The last National Action Plan--the U.S. 
Government's first--was published on December 16, 2016. (See 2016 
National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct here: https://2009-2017.state.gov/e/eb/eppd/csr/naprbc/265706.htm).
    RBC is a broad concept based on growing evidence that businesses 
can perform well while doing good, and that governments should create 
and facilitate the conditions for this to take place. The principles 
underlying this concept are encompassed in the UN Guiding Principles on 
Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational 
Enterprises. They place importance on three aspects of the business-
society relationship:
    <bullet> Emphasizing and accentuating the positive contributions 
businesses can make to economic, environmental, and social progress.
    <bullet> Committing to robust due diligence efforts, including 
identifying and mitigating adverse impacts of business conduct, and 
remedying abuses where they occur.
    <bullet> Ensuring businesses are aware of and complying with legal 
obligations within their supply chains both at home and overseas.
    We are updating the NAP in light of the U.S. Government's 
commitment to promoting fair play, the rule of law, and high standards 
for global commerce in line with democratic values and responsible 
business conduct. This includes supporting a foreign policy that 
benefits the middle class by ensuring workers' rights and a level 
playing field for American workers; protecting the environment; 
combating the climate crisis; promoting rights-respecting technology 
deployment; and helping U.S. businesses to be global leaders in 
promoting respect for human rights and responsible business conduct in 
the communities where they operate.
    The revitalized NAP will build upon the previous framework. We are 
committed to coordinating and advancing policies that promote 
responsible business conduct by U.S. businesses operating and investing 
abroad, and work with all stakeholders to reach our joint goals.
    Further information, including Frequently Asked Questions, is 
available on the following website: https://www.state.gov/responsible-business-conduct-national-action-plan/.
    For questions concerning this notice, contact the State 
Department's NAP RBC team at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3a1b1b0bdb2a3b38087928796dd949c85"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6b4a4a5a8a7b6a69592879283c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>.

(Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2656)

Zachary A. Parker,
Director, Office of Directives Management, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2022-04178 Filed 2-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-AE-P


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