The OECD Guidelines are recommendations presented by governments to multinational enterprises for responsible business conduct in a global context. The Guidelines are based on internationally recognised standards. These include the International Bill of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
The Guidelines are the only code of responsible business conduct that governments have committed to promoting. The aim of the Guidelines is to promote the participation of enterprises in furthering economic, ecological and social development all over the world.
Compliance with the Guidelines is voluntary for enterprises. Compliance with the Guidelines, however, is monitored by the National Contact Points set up in each country bound by the Guidelines.
The Guidelines are available online in Finnish, Swedish and English as well as a number of other languages.