Recommendations from adhering governments (50 countries, including Argentina since 1997) to multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct. Updated in June 2023. Not binding on companies, but binding on signatory governments. Non-compliance can affect reputation, market access and relations with ESG investors.
I. Políticas generales
Contribution to sustainable development, human rights, supply chain, due diligence.
II. Disclosure
Financial and non-financial reporting, governance, structure, risks, ESG impact.
III. Derechos humanos
Human rights due diligence, preventing adverse impacts, effective remediation. Aligned with the UNGPs.
IV. Employment and industrial relations
Trade union rights, child labour, forced labour, health and safety, training.
V. Medio ambiente
Environmental management, impact reporting, climate change, biodiversity, circular economy.
VI. Combating bribery
Active and passive bribery, extortion, anti-bribery program, whistleblowing channel, due diligence.
VII. Consumer interests
Fair advertising, consumer privacy, secure e-commerce, after-sales service.
VIII. Science and technology
Technology transfer, local R&D, responsible cybersecurity, ethical AI.
IX. Competencia
Anti-competitive practices, cartels, abuse of dominant position.
X. Fiscalidad
Tax compliance, transfer pricing, transparency, BEPS, corporate responsibility.
XI. Responsible supply chain management (2023 ★)
New 2023 chapter: due diligence across the entire value chain — human rights, labour, environment, anti-corruption.
🏢 The business sector's experience applying the Guidelines
Companies that have adopted the OECD Guidelines as a reference framework consistently report three areas of learning:
Debida diligencia integrada
Leading companies integrate human rights due diligence (HRDD) into their existing risk management system instead of creating a parallel process, linking it directly to ISO 37001 and anti-corruption frameworks.
The supply chain as an opportunity
The 2023 Chapter XI made supplier management an explicit requirement. Companies that already had third-party due diligence (ISO 37001, NIS2) adapted faster and at lower cost.
The NCP as an early-warning mechanism
National Contact Points handled 60+ active cases in 2023 (OECD). Companies with strong compliance programs resolved cases at the mediation stage, avoiding negative publicity.
Non-financial reporting as a management tool
Chapter II requires disclosure of ESG impacts. Companies that use GRI, SASB or CSRD as the basis for reporting simultaneously meet OECD disclosure requirements and ESG investor expectations.
🏆 Applying the OECD Guidelines: benefits and competitive advantages
✅ Acceso a capital e inversión ESG
ESG funds manage over USD 35T in assets (2023). Alignment with the OECD is a positive screening criterion for institutional investors and European pension funds.
✅ An edge in international tenders
Multilateral bodies (IDB, CAF, World Bank) and European public procurement increasingly require evidence of human rights and anti-corruption due diligence aligned with OECD standards.
✅ Lower reputational risk
73% of Fortune 500 executives rank supply-chain reputational risk among their three most critical risks (PwC, 2023). The OECD Guidelines provide an internationally recognized reference framework.
✅ Synergies with regulatory frameworks
Anyone who complies with the OECD Guidelines already meets 60-70% of the requirements of the EU CSRD, the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
✅ Proactive conflict management
Public adherence to the Guidelines and working whistleblowing channels reduce the likelihood of NCP cases and, if they occur, make resolution through mediation easier than costly litigation.
✅ A reference framework for the Board
The Guidelines give the Board and the Compliance Officer an internationally accepted common language for reporting on non-financial risk management, strengthening corporate governance.