OECD Watch promotes effective, rights-centred due diligence that prevents and remedies harm rather than simply managing corporate risks.
We help communities identify gaps in corporate due diligence and file claims to seek accountability for related harms.
Over two decades we have helped strengthen the OECD’s formulation of impactful due diligence standards across all industries as well as particular sectors like agriculture, garment, extractives, finance, and AI. We continue to push the OECD to improve its due diligence guidance, such as on ensuring meaningful engagement of stakeholders including rightsholders.
We monitor and assess due diligence laws and policies at national and regional levels to see whether they are aligned with the OECD Guidelines and can deliver meaningful protection and remedy for people and the planet. Through sharing our own and the OECD’s due diligence analysis, fostering learning and collaboration amongst global civil society, and encouraging progress by the OECD and governments, we support rule development that matters for communities.
The OECD Guidelines expect companies to carry out ongoing, risk-based due diligence across their whole value chain to:
The Guidelines emphasise that due diligence should focus on the severity and likelihood of impacts to people and the planet, not the company, including people who may be particularly vulnerable or marginalised.
Want to learn more about OECD Watch’s work on this issue? Get in touch with us to find out more about our advocacy and resources, or to discuss how the OECD Guidelines can support your work.
You can also join our civil society working group on due diligence legislative developments to connect with organisations working on this issue, exchange knowledge, and contribute to collective advocacy. Reach out to us directly.
Get a practical overview of what the OECD Guidelines say about due diligence. Available in:
Our briefing highlights the strongest elements of the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct and explains how civil society can use them in advocacy.
Check out the OECD’s multi-sector and sector-specific due diligence guidance here.
See complaints in which civil society has raised concerns about companies’ due diligence practices and failure to prevent or address harm.
The OECD Guidelines provide civil society with a framework for engaging companies, governments and other decision-makers on responsible business conduct. You can use the Guidelines to:
Help communities and other affected people understand the standards companies are expected to meet and the rights and protections they can demand.
Use the Guidelines to talk to companies about their impacts and demand that they prevent, address and remedy harm.
Use the Guidelines to advocate for strong laws, policies and corporate practices that protect people and the planet and hold companies accountable.
When a company falls below the standards in the Guidelines, you can bring a complaint to an NCP and seek accountability and remedy.
Why governments should align sustainable business policies with the OECD Guidelines to ensure companies act responsibly.
How companies can respect human rights, prevent harm and provide or contribute to remedy when harms occur.
How companies can prevent and address environmental harm through responsible business conduct practices and due diligence.
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