{"id":23848,"date":"2019-01-08T15:59:58","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T15:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oecdwatch.org\/?page_id=23848"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:32:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T09:32:07","slug":"stage-two-preparing-and-filing-the-complaint","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oecdwatch.org\/ar\/guidelines-and-complaints\/ncps-and-complaints\/step-by-step-complaints-guide\/stage-two-preparing-and-filing-the-complaint\/","title":{"rendered":"Stage two: Preparing and filing the complaint"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once you have decided to file a National Contact Point (NCP) complaint, follow the steps below to make sure it is as effective as possible in helping you achieve your goals. <\/span><\/p>\n

Quick jump:<\/h3>\n

Step 1: Collect evidence about your strongest claims<\/a><\/h6>\n
Step 2: Determine which claims to raise<\/a><\/h6>\n
Step 3: Determine which NCP(s) to file to<\/a><\/h6>\n
Step 4: Consider our tips for strengthening your complaint<\/a><\/h6>\n
Step 5: Write the complaint<\/a><\/h6>\n
Step 6: File the NCP complaint<\/a><\/h6>\n
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 <\/p>\n

Step 1: Collect evidence about your strongest claims<\/b><\/h2>\n

Collect evidence and documents \u2013 such as witness statements, company policies, scientific tests, and public articles or reports \u2013 showing the harm that has occurred or may occur and a connection to a company. The evidence should be credible and plausibly linked to harmful corporate activity, showing that harm is occurring or likely to occur and linked to a company\u2019s failure to meet the <\/span>standards <\/span><\/a>in the OECD Guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You should also collect information about the company involved in the harm, including where it is headquartered. Read OECD Watch\u2019s tips below to make your complaint more effective and strategic, and contact us if you need assistance.\u00a0<\/span>
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Step 2: Determine which claims to raise<\/b><\/h2>\n

Based on the evidence, determine which claims to raise against which company(ies). We recommend you raise only your strongest claims, showing the clearest evidence of a company’s breach of the OECD Guidelines. Filing strong claims on just a few Guidelines provisions is better than including multiple less-substantiated claims.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can file a complaint against numerous companies if they are all linked to the same underlying situation or harms and fall under an NCP\u2019s jurisdiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may also need to file under the 2011 and\/or 2023 versions<\/a> of the OECD Guidelines. OECD Watch has developed guidance for civil society on which version of the Guidelines to reference in an NCP complaint.\u00a0<\/span>
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Step 3: Determine which NCP(s) to file to<\/b><\/h2>\n

Based on the claims and the company(ies) you have identified, determine which NCP(s) you will file the complaint to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Complaints should be filed at the NCP of the country where the issues have arisen. This may be the country where the harm is felt on the ground (the country \u2018hosting\u2019 the business activity, called the \u2018host country\u2019). This may also or alternatively be the country where the company is headquartered (the \u2018home country\u2019), either because the host country does not follow the OECD Guidelines and has no NCP or because the issues actually arose during (poor) decision-making at headquarters level. Sometimes, both the host and home countries have NCPs. Complaints can be filed at both NCPs or just one. NCPs handling complaints related to the same situation will coordinate<\/a> with each other. Contact OECD Watch if you have questions about which NCP to file to.\u00a0<\/span>
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Step 4: Consider our tips for strengthening your complaint\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Based on our understanding of the limitations of the NCP complaint process and experience advising civil society complainants, we have identified tips for complainants to enhance the effectiveness of their NCP complaint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n