Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Canada is 1 of 51 countries that recommend observance of the OECD Guidelines to multinational enterprises operating in or from their territories.

Canada is committed to promoting and furthering the effectiveness of the Guidelines.

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (PDF):

• provide recommendations on voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct, consistent with domestic and international laws
• address public concerns about the social, economic and environmental impacts of business activities on the societies in which multinational enterprises operate (including and beyond OECD countries)
• offer a framework for multinational enterprises to advance responsible business conduct

The OECD Guidelines:

• are an integral part of the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises
• reflect good practices for all businesses, no matter the size, wherever they operate

The OECD has developed guidance to enterprises implement due diligence for responsible business conduct.

• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct provides support to multinational enterprises on the implementation of the OECD Guidelines, through plain language explanations of its due diligence recommendations and associated provisions.

The OECD has also developed guidance for specific contexts:

• financial sector
• mineral supply chains, including conflict minerals
• agricultural supply chains
• garment and footwear sector
• stakeholder engagement in the extractive sector