Mandate: DAF/INV/M(2018)7

Extract of the document DAF/INV(2018)27

The WPRBC was established on 28 February 2013 [CE(2013)5]. The mandate of the WPRBC is as follows:

1.The overarching objectives of the Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct (hereafter the “Working Party”) shall be to assist the Investment Committee in implementing section I of the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises (hereafter the “Investment Declaration”) with respect to its responsibilities in relation to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (hereafter the “Guidelines”) and the related Decision and Recommendations in order to promote responsible business conduct (RBC) world-wide and to enhance the contribution to sustainable development made by multinational enterprises. This includes promoting and disseminating the Guidelines among Adherents and non-Adherents, supporting the National Contact Points, promoting national and international policy coherence on RBC, as well as the implementation of due diligence for RBC.

2.To achieve these objectives, the Working Party shall carry out the following tasks:

i.Assist in enhancing the effectiveness of the Guidelines and fostering the functional equivalence of National Contact Points, including through coordination with the Network of National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct;

ii.Undertake policy analysis and promote policy coherence with respect to RBC in economic, environmental and social policies and encourage co-operation among Adherents and non-Adherents to the Investment Declaration in this regard, including through the investment policy reviews based on the Policy Framework for Investment (PFI);

iii.Provide guidance on and seek to enhance the capacity of business to implement due diligence for RBC, including in specific sectors, geographies and risk areas, through inter alia, multi-stakeholder engagement and taking into account the needs of small- and medium sized enterprises, in co-operation with the National Contact Points;

iv.Engage, with non-Adherents on matters covered by the Guidelines, in particular with the non-Adherents that have a special interest in promoting the Guidelines;

v.Co-ordinate with and contribute to the activities on the Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct;

vi.Periodically consult with BIAC, TUAC and OECD Watch and other stakeholders on matters covered by the Guidelines;

vii.Maintain close relationships with other relevant bodies of the Organisation, with a view to maximising synergies and ensuring policy coherence;

viii.Maintain relations with other international organisations and entities, with a view to promoting international policy coherence, achieving non-duplicative, co-ordinated and complementary work programmes in areas of shared interest and mutual benefit, conducting joint projects, and ensuring the mutual exchange of experience and expertise;

ix.Undertake other tasks relating to the Guidelines and RBC, including upon the request of the Investment Committee.

1.The Working Party shall make regular reports on its activities to the Investment Committee.

2.The mandate of the Working Party shall remain in force until 31 December 2023 unless the Investment Committee decides otherwise.