F.A.Q.
What are the OECD Guidelines?
The OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises are a set of recommendations designed to ensure that multinational companies operate responsibly and in alignment with public policies, fostering trust between businesses and society. They aim to improve the investment climate and enhance the contribution of multinational enterprises to sustainable development.
What standards are contained in the Guidelines?
The Guidelines set out principles and standards in a wide variety of areas, such as:
- disclosure
- human rights
- employment and industrial relations
- environment
- consumer interests
- science, technology and innovation
- competition
- taxation
- combating bribery and other forms of corruption
What is a multinational enterprise?
A multinational enterprise operates in various sectors of the economy. These enterprises are companies or entities established in more than one country, coordinating their activities across borders. They can be privately, publicly, or jointly owned.
Who developed the OECD guidelines?
The OECD developed these Guidelines, which are agreed upon at the multilateral level. The Guidelines are currently applicable in 51 countries, including 38 OECD members and 13 non-member states. Governments that have acceded to the Guidelines are committed to implementing them.
What is an NCP?
The National Contact Point is a collegial, voluntary, non-judicial mechanism for addressing public complaints about businesses that violate responsible business principles in accordance with the OECD Guidelines.
Who can apply to the NCP?
Any individual or legal entity affected by the activities of a multinational enterprise, including employees or a group of employees of a multinational enterprise, persons or a group of non-employees, trade unions, non-governmenta.organizations can apply to the NCP for an action or omission of a multinational company regarding an alleged violation of the OECD Guidelines.
How long does it take to review applications to the NCP?
The process of reviewing appeals to the NCP takes from 10 to 12 months and consists of three stages:
Stage 1- initial assessment of the application. At this stage the NCP evaluates the application for compliance with the scope of the NCP Guidelines and competencies:
Stage 2 - acceptance of case for proсeedings. The NCP consults on the case with government authorities, business representatives, labou.organizations, non-governmenta.organizations, experts, and OECD NPOs operating in the countries concerned.
Stage 3 - final assessment of the application consideration.
The NCP proceedings are completed with preparation and publication of the Final Assessment of the case.
How does the NCP differ from court or other instances?
The NCP guarantees that the application will be considered immediately (no more than within a year) and completely free of charge. Since it is a collegial advisory body, the case is considered faster, without going through numerous instances.
What are the advantages of NCP?
The NCP guarantees that the application will be considered immediately (no more than within a year) and completely free of charge
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What is the mechanism for submitting applications to the NCP?
There are three ways to apply to the NCP:
- through the office of the NCP Secretariat located at 65 Temirkazyk street, Yessil district, 010000, Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan, "Economic Research Institute" JSC
- web-site of NCP and the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
- NCP call center at (99-99-12)
- E-Otinish
