Activities of the Austrian National Contact Point (NCP)
The Austrian National Contact Point is tasked with raising awareness of the OECD Guidelines, providing guidance on issues relating to the Guidelines to business, employee representatives and civil society, and the role as an extra-judicial grievance mechanism. The latter mandate provides a non-binding mechanism which attempts to resolve issues related to the effective implementation of the OECD by mutual agreement between respective parties.
In its activities, the Austrian NCP is supported by a steering committee (Lenkungsausschuss, LAUS). Please find below information on the publication of OECD Guidelines, the grievance procedure, the steering committee and the OECD peer review of the Austrian NCP concluded in 2019.
A key task of the Austrian NCP is the promotion of the OECD Guidelines. To this end, the Austrian NCP regularly organises discussion forums and expert talks and actively participates in events organised by stakeholders on matters related to the OECD Guidelines and responsible business conduct. The Austrian NCP also provides information material on the Guidelines, clarifications to questions on the implementation of the OECD Guidelines and comments on related issues.
The activities are summarised by the work programme of the Austrian NCP for 2024 (PDF, 108 KB) (German).
The National Contact Points established in the adhering states act as an extra-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints regarding alleged violations of the OECD Guidelines. Such complaints are handled in line with the Procedural Guidance in part II of the OECD Guidelines. Supplementary provisions are laid out in the Rules of Procedure of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 335 KB). The Guidance on Grievance Procedures before the Austrian NCP (PDF, 364 KB) provides practical guidance.
The mediation process offered by a National Contact Point provides the parties with a framework for constructive dialogue with stakeholders and thus the groundwork for joint long-term solutions. The aim of the grievance procedure is to find an amicable and forward-looking solution by facilitating an open and constructive dialogue between the parties involved and thus contribute to the effective implementation of the OECD Guidelines.
Every individual or organisation is free to submit a complaint regarding an alleged breach of the OECD Guidelines to the Austrian NCP.
In general, the National Contact Point responsible for handling a complaint is the one in whose country the alleged violation of the OECD Guidelines took place. If this state has not established a National Contact Point, the National Contact Point of the state, in which the accused enterprise has its headquarters, is responsible.
If the National Contact Point considers a further examination of the complaint to be appropriate, it initiates a mediation process (good offices) if the parties agree. The mediation process aims to mediate between the parties, critically assess the allegations and reach an agreement between the parties. A complaint submitted to the Austrian NCP concludes with the drafting of a final statement to be published on the Austrian NCP’s website. If the parties come to an agreement, a joint statement is drafted. The Austrian NCP also publishes its final statement, which addresses the issues raised, the course of the procedure and the agreement achieved.
If the parties fail to reach an agreement substantially or if the procedure is discontinued due to the lack of participation on the part of either of the parties, the Austrian NCP will prepare a final statement. The final statement states the issues raised, the course of the procedure and the reasons for the discontinuation of the procedure.
The Austrian NCP takes all measures necessary to protect sensitive information. Confidential information as well as business and trade secrets are protected against disclosure during and after the conclusion of the proceedings. Further details are provided in the Guidance on Grievance Procedures before the Austrian NCP (PDF, 364 KB) and the Rules of Procedure of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 335 KB).
Templates for submission of a complaint to the Austrian NCP:
Guidance on Grievance Procedures before the Austrian NCP and Rules of Procedure of the Austrian NCP:
- Guidance on Grievance Procedures before the Austrian NCP (PDF, 364 KB)
- Rules of Procedure of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 335 KB)
Concluded cases by the Austrian NCP to date:
- Open Society Justice Initiative/Telekom Austria AG:
Initial Assessment on 1 August 2023 (PDF, 166 KB)
Final Statement on 25 July 2024 (PDF, 296 KB) - Finance & Trade Watch Austria/Andritz Hydro GmbH:
Final Statement on 17 June 2017 (PDF, 253 KB) - Gewerkschaft der Privatangestellten Druck-Journalismus-Papier- und Produktionsgewerkschaft/KBA Mödling AG and Koenig Bauer AG:
The complaint was withdrawn as the parties reached an agreement on a social plan on 14 February 2014. - Gewerkschaft der Privatangestellten Druckjournalismus-Papier/Novartis Biomedical Institutes
Final Statement on 17 July 2009 (PDF, 111 KB) - Internationale Textil-, Bekleidungs- und Lederarbeiter-Vereinigung and Gewerkschaft Metall-Textil-Nahrung/Global Sports Lanka and GST Beteiligungsgesellschaft:
Final Statement on 17 July 2009 (PDF, 98 KB) - Congo Mining Holding Ltd./H.C. Starck GmbH:
No agreement was reached.
A Steering Committee has been set up to assist the Austrian NCP in its activities. The Steering Committe consists of representatives from other federal ministries, business, employee and civil society representatives as well as an expert for extra-judicial dispute resolution and an expert for human rights.
The tasks of the Steering Committe include advising the Austrian NCP on all matters relating to the promotion and implementation of the OECD Guidelines, the annual reporting to the OECD Investment Committee,
The Steering Committee provides advice to the Austrian NCP in all matters regarding implementation of the OECD Guidelines, contributes to the preparation of the annual report to the OECD Investment Committee, fostering a broad dialogue on the Guidelines with all stakeholders, and proposals for further development of the Austrian NCP. The Steering Committe has its Rules of Procedure (Geschäftsordnung in German) (PDF, 157 KB).
In accordance with its Rules of Procedure, the Steering Committee publishes a short and anonymised record of the minutes of every meeting on the homepage of the Austrian NCP.
In accordance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the Austrian NCP submits an annual report on its activities to the OECD Investment Committee. You can access all reports of the Austrian NCP via the following links:
OECD Annual Report 2023 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 642 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2022 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 563 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2021 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 593 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2020 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 396 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2019 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 1 MB)
OECD Annual Report 2018 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 922 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2017 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 290 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2016 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 535 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2015 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 548 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2014 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 363 KB)
OECD Annual Report 2013 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 1 MB)
OECD Annual Report 2012 of the Austrian NCP (PDF, 41 KB)
The Austrian NCP also issues its own annual report for its stakeholders:
Annual report 2019 (PDF, 4 MB)
Annual report 2018 (PDF, 441 KB)
Voluntary peer reviews were added to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in 2011. They are designed to improve application of the OECD Guidelines as well as the work of the National Contact Points.
The first peer review of the Austrian NCP commenced in the second half of 2017. To this end the Austrian NCP prepared information material and asked selected stakeholders for their feedback. The review team, consisting of representatives of the OECD Secretariat and of the National Contact Points of Germany, Finland and Sweden, made an on-site visit on 14 and 15 December 2017, assessing the level of awareness and reputation enjoyed by the Austrian NCP, its information material and its accessibility through eight panels with NCP staff and over 40 stakeholders.
The peer review was continued in 2018 and presented to the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct. Special praise was accorded to the Austrian NCP’s expert competence and the many activities pursued to increase awareness of the OECD Guidelines.
On 13 March 2019, the peer review of the Austrian NCP was adopted by the OECD Investment Committee. Altogether it included eight recommendations to further improve its work in the fields of “institutional arrangements”, “promotion of the Guidelines” and “specific instances”. At the meeting of the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct held in November 2019, the Austrian NCP reported on its implementation of the recommendations.
The peer review of the Austrian NCP was the subject of parliamentary question 3813/J of 2 July 2019, to which a response was given on 2 September 2019.
The Steering Committee of Austrian NCP welcomes the findings the Peer Review of the Austrian NCP in a comprehensive statement. See statement of the Steering Committee_de (PDF, 123 KB)
Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Responsible Business Conduct 2024
On 21 October 2024, the annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum of the Austrian NCP took place at the Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy. Experts from business, labour, civil society, politics and academia discussed ongoing developments regarding the OECD Guidelines for multinational Enterprises.
Among other things, the challenges of complying with due diligence obligations and responsible supply chains in practice as well as the relevance of the OECD Guidelines for companies were discussed. Director-general Cynthia Zimmermann (Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy) emphasised that the OECD Guidelines serve as a cornerstone for a rules-based international order. They contribute to a sustainable economy by promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
At this year's Multi-Stakeholder Forum, the Austrian NCP was honoured to welcome also many international guests as 15 different NCPs participated in the forum.
The Austrian NCP would like to thank all speakers and participants!
NCP Peer Learning Event 2024
On 22 October 2024, the Austrian NCP welcomed NCPs from 18 different adherents to the OECD Guidelines to a peer learning event at the Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy in Vienna. The objective of the event was an peer exchange regarding the various issues and challenges that NCPs are confronted with in their activities.
How can the outreach of the NCPs be improved? Which promoting activities are effective? How can NCPs deal with the current developments towards binding frameworks on responsible business conduct? How can specific instances be handled in the best possible way? On these and many other questions, NCPs shared potential solutions, experiences, ideas and best practice examples.
The Austrian NCP would like to thank all NCPs for participating in the peer learning event as well as for the lively discussions and valuable inputs! Special thanks go to Nicolas Hachez (OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct) who shared his expertise and insights throughout the day!
Contact Information:
Mario Micelli
Austrian NCP for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy
E-Mail: NCP-Austria@bmaw.gv.at
Telephone: (+43) 1 711 00-805240 or 805050
Fax: (+43) 1 711 00-8045050
http://www.oecd-leitsaetze.at/