Austrian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct

National Contact Points (NCPs)

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines) are the most comprehensive international instrument for promoting responsible business conduct. 38 OECD members and 13 non-members (Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Peru, Romania, Jordan, Ukraine, Uruguay and Kazakhstan) as well as the European Union have committed under international law to promote and implement these principles and standards for RBC, which are in line with applicable law and internationally accepted norms.

The OECD Guidelines contain recommendations for action by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adherent countries.

The OECD Guidelines were last updated in June 2023. The substantial changes relate to climate change and biodiversity, protection of vulnerable groups (especially whistle-blowers and indigenous people) and the development, trade and use of new technologies (indluding data protection aspects).

Austrian National Contact Point

The adhering countries have commited to establish National Contact Points (NCPs) to promote the effective implementation of the OECD Guideliens.

One of the core tasks of the Austrian National Contact Point (Austrian NCP) is to enhance the awareness for and effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines. The Austrian NCP fosters cooperation and the exchange of experience with the NCPs of other adhering countries and acts a the contact point for companies, employee representatives, civil society, public bodies and other interested institutions. Furthermore, the Austrian NCP regularly organises events, webinars and exchange meetings to promote the OECD Guidelines, exchange best practice and provide information responsible business conduct.

The second core task of the Austrian NCP is its function as an non-judicial grievance mechanism. The Austrian NCP provides a mediation platform for issues related to the OECD Guidelines, in particular for specific complaints regarding alleged violations of the OECD Guidelines.

Non-judicial grievance mechanism

Complaints about alleged violations of the OECD Guidelines are Rules of Procedure of the Austrian NCP contain supplementary procedural provisions. Furthermore, the Austrian NCP provides a guide on its case-handling procedure, which informs on the procedural nature, requirements and further aspects of the procedure. More information can be found here: Activities of the Austrian National Contact Point (NCP).

Through the grievance mechanism, the Austrian NCP contributes to the resolution of issues raised and complaints in an impartial, transparent, predictable and fair manner that is in line with the principles and standards of the OECD Guideliens. To this end, the Austrian NCP provides a forum for mediation between the parties and endeavours to find an amicable and forward-looking solution.

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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 National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct
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