Webinar

Recall that NCPs function as as non-judicial grievance mechanism regarding violations of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. 

Nicolas Hachez, Acting Manager of the Centre for Responsible Business Conduct on NCP Coordination, made a welcoming speech and presented a Report on the 20-year activity of the NCP (hereinafter - the Report). 

3.    Prospects for improving the Institute of NCPs 

Kristin Kaufman, the Chairman of the  Responsible Business Conduct Working Group, presented a historical background on the NCPs' activities. In particular, she highlighted the historical component of the NCPs' activities, difficulties in proper implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, as well as importance of cooperation between NCPs from different jurisdictions. However, 49 national NCPs have been established since 2000, dealing with more than 500 cases involving more than 100 countries. These achievements allow us to observe a positive trend in responsible business conduct, mainly affecting corporate, social, environmental, and labor issues. 

As part of the issues discussed to improve the NCPs' activities, the speakers made the following conclusions:  

The speakers noted that at the moment, the average number of employees of the NCP Secretariats reaches from one to three people (1 of whom works on a permanent basis, and the rest are part-time employees), which in practice leads to violation of the procedural deadlines for consideration of applications.

In conclusion, the speakers noted that the NCPs' activities definitely have a positive impact on the formation and development of business environment. Also, one of the key factors experts noted is the "interaction" of the NCPs. In particular, this interaction should be reflected not only in the cooperation of the NCPs among themselves, but also in the interaction with state bodies in the formation of national policies.