The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the Austrian National Contact Point

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines) are the most comprehensive set of government-supported recommendations on responsible business conduct in existence today. 36 OECD countries and 12 other countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Tunisia, Ukraine) and the European Union have committed themselves under international law to promote and implement these principles and standards for responsible business conduct consistent with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards.

The Austrian National Contact Point

National Contact Points (NCPs) have been established in all adhering countries to offer dialogue and conciliation platforms on questions pertaining to the OECD Guidelines.

One of the central tasks of the Austrian National Contact Point (Austrian NCP) is to enhance the awareness and effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines. The exchange of experiences and cooperation with other NCPs should also be fostered. The Austrian NCP serves as a contact point for companies, civil society, other stakeholders, interested parties and other NCPs.

The Austrian NCP also offers a extrajudicial dispute resolution and conciliation platform on questions related to the application of the OECD Guidelines, in particular in the case of complaints (specific instances) against alleged breaches of the OECD Guidelines. By providing this platform, the Austrian NCP contributes to a solution of the raised issues in a manner that is impartial, predictable, equitable and compatible with the principles and standards of the OECD Guidelines.

Complaint Procedure

Complaints about alleged breaches of the OECD Guidelines are handled in accordance with the “Structures and processes of National Contact Points for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises”, supplemented by procedural provisions provided in the Terms of Reference of the Austrian National Contact Point (NCP). For further information see “Activities of the Austrian NCP”. Within its scope of activities, the Austrian NCP contributes to settling issues and problems in an impartial, predictable and equitable manner that is compatible with the principles and standards of the OECD Guidelines, providing a platform to mediate between the parties involved.

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Contact information

Further information on the OECD Guidelines, the Austrian National Contact Point and the complaint procedure can be obtained at the Austrian National Contact Point based within the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy:

Mario Micelli
Austrian NCP for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy
E-Mail: NCP-Austria@bmaw.gv.at
Telephone: (+43) 1 711 00-805240 or 808819
Fax: (+43) 1 711 00-8048819
www.oecd-leitsaetze.at