NCP France
This page provides information related to NCP France. Directly underneath, you find the scores of the NCP on the NCP Evaluation Project. The NCP is evaluated on the indicators with Yes, No or Partial/Not Applicable. The indicators are ordered per category. Only a few indicators per category are shown on this page. To see them all, click on “more…. indicators To see what indicator scores best among all NCPs go to the NCP Evaluation Overview. At the bottom, there is news related to the NCP.
Related complaints
In the OECD Watch Complaint Database you can find all the related complaints with NCP France
NCP allows complainants to withhold their identity from the company for security reasons.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure do not mention whether complainants can withhold their identity from the company for security reasons.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP rule and practice fulfill the criteria.
NCP policy commits it to handling complaints within 12 months and in practice NCP has followed this commitment or communicated punctually with parties over reasonable delays.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure provide a timeframe for the initial assessment stage (3 months). Also, the Rules of Procedure state that the NCP will examine the issue within 12 months of receipt of a complaint.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pa ges/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/f072fc1c- 762a-4a86-9bc5-b7a0bd58a361 https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pa ges/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/72c1e4d8- 214d-48a4-a02c-770bea3ab2da
NCP maintains transparency generally, but allows for confidentiality only over:
(a) the personal identities of parties for security/privacy reasons
(b) legitimately sensitive business information
(c) documents shared and discussions had during the good offices stage.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure emphasize confidentiality over transparency. The NCP will allow for sensitive business and other information to be kept confidential, but it appears that even procedural information and basic contours of complaint may be confidential for the entire complaint period, not just the good offices phase.
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP rule and practice fulfill the criteria.
Government has given consequences (e.g. limited access to export promotion or other economic benefits) to MNEs that refuse to engage in the complaint process, or if NCP has not yet encountered such a situation, NCP has made a policy commitment to request consequences from the government.
Evaluation
There is no indication that the government has applied or committed to apply consequences for poor faith towards the complaint process.
Source
Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, 2 May 2018 (A/HRC/38/48)
NCP makes a finding (determination) on whether the MNE has breached the OECD Guidelines when conciliation/mediation is refused or fails, or if NCP has not yet encountered such a situation, NCP has made a policy commitment to do so.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure state that "the NCP may give its opinion on the compliance of the actions, measures and decisions of the parties." Since 2012, the NCP has issued determinations for all accepted cases except three (one led by another NCP and two rejected because they fell outside the jurisdiction of the NCP).
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/ tresor-international/pcn- france/decisions-du-pcn-francais-dans- les-circonstances-specifiques
NCP sets no requirement to exhaust all other avenues to remedy before filing complaint.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure set no requirement to exhaust all other remedies.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
NCP conducts in-country fact finding, or if NCP has not yet received complaints, NCP has made a policy commitment to do so.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure make no commitment to conduct in-country fact finding.
NCP engages in follow-up of recommendations made/agreements reached in Final Statements for all complaints reaching that stage, or if NCP has not yet received complaints reaching final assessment stage, NCP has made a policy commitment to do so,
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure allow (optionally) for the NCP to conduct follow-up. The NCP engages in follow-up when it considers follow-up necessary, and when it does follow-up it always issues a follow-up statement in French and English (and sometimes additional languages).
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
NCP has offered to alter the location of mediation and/or enable remote video conferencing to increase accessibility for the complainants or has made a policy commitment to do so.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure do not address the issue of the location of mediation. The NCP has, in past cases, enabled video-conferencing and conference calls, including via French embassy facilities, and also meetings in an embassy directly between the parties, to facilitate access for complainants.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/ tresor-international/pcn- france/decisions-du-pcn-francais-dans- les-circonstances-specifiques
NCP covers mediation costs for parties. If mediation costs are not covered, the parties’ cost burdens are explained in the Rules of Procedure.
Evaluation
The NCP offers conciliation or mediation to assist the parties in resolving the problems at no extra cost to parties.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
NCP declares that parallel proceedings do not automatically bar complaints.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure explicitly state that parallel proceedings do not constitute a bar to complaints.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
NCP considers complaints ‘material and substantiated’ if they are plausible or credible.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure do sufficiently use a standard equivalent to plausibility to evaluate the substantiation of complaints in Article 16.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP rule and practice fulfill the criteria.
NCP provides external review process for parties who believe the NCP has not followed its internal procedures.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure do not include an option of review.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
NCP sets no statute of limitations for accepting complaints.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure set no statute of limitations.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
NCP sets a low threshold for accepting complaints by ensuring the use of a broad definition of “interest in the matter” when evaluating complainants.
Evaluation
The Rules of Procedure do not provide a definition of an interest in the matter.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French)
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP rule and practice as off today fulfill the criteria.
NCP ensures broad expertise in its complaint handling and promotion functions through formally involving diverse relevant government departments, having a multipartite structure, or having an independent expert structure.
Evaluation
The French NCP is a tripartite NCP involving: 4 Ministries, 6 Trade Unions, 1 business organisation. It has a Chair and a Secretariat headed by a Secretary General. The list of NCP members is public. The NCP can consult and has consulted external experts when dealing with the cases.
Source
Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2018 – MCM/OECD (p. 27)
National Contact Point 2018 Report to the OECD: France (p. 3)
NCP is not housed within a ministry focused on economics, trade, or investment to ensure there is no real or perceived conflict of interest.
Evaluation
The NCP is located in the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the Directorate General of the Treasury.
Source
National Contact Point 2018 Report to the OECD: France (p. 3)
Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2018 – MCM/OECD (p. 27) DG Treasury chart https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau2/Pages/dec76c17-341b-4ca5-8a97-a8666a9ddaaa/files/606c90cb-e351-4031-9758-30b64b5e5408
NCP has an independent expert structure whereby complaints are handled strictly by non-governmental independent experts.
Evaluation
The NCP has a tripartite decision-making structure through which complaints are handled by government officials and non-government officials.
Source
Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2018 – MCM/OECD (p. 27)
NCP has undergone a peer review, or has a peer review formally scheduled in the near future.
Evaluation
The NCP underwent a peer in 2018.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Instituti onnel/Niveau3/Pages/dd1765ca-badf-4415- 91c4-3ebc4608bb08/files/1268ec56-60c5- 4b42-ac9a-ca549987d024 https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor- international/pcn-france/la-revue-par-les- pairs-du-pcn-francais-1
NCP employs the equivalent of two or more full-time staff.
Evaluation
The NCP has 1 full time staff member (the Secretary General) and 1 part time staff person (the Chair), and 1 intern (two thirds of the year). 20 members in the tripartite structure also dedicate time.
Source
Draft Progress Report on National Contact Points to the MCM – OECD (p. 15)
Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2018 – MCM/OECD (pp 77-78).
NCP has multi-stakeholder advisory body involving representatives of all three core stakeholder groups (labour unions, business, and NGOs) consulted at least 2 times in the past year.
Evaluation
The NCP has no stakeholder advisory body.
Source
National Contact Point 2018 Report to the OECD: France (pp 4-5).
NCP formally involves representatives of all three core stakeholder groups (labour unions, business, and NGOs) in its governance and decision-making structure. Examples are quadripartite NCPs and NCPs in which the three stakeholder groups nominate an independent member of the NCP or steering board.
Evaluation
The multipartite NCP structure includes governments, trade unions and the private sector, but not civil society.
Website publicizes NCP’s budget and spending streams.
Evaluation
The website does not show the NCP's annual budget and spending streams.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/rapports-d- activite-du-pcn-francais
Website shows description of every complaint the NCP has received.
Evaluation
The website shows a description of all the complaints handled by the NCP.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/decisions- du-pcn-francais-dans-les-circonstances- specifiques
Website shows instructions on how to file complaints.
Evaluation
The website shows instructions in both French and English on how to file complaints.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor- international/pcn-france/comment-saisir-le-pcn- francais https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor- international/pcn-france/tableau-de-bord-des- circonstances-specifiques-du-pcn-francais
Website shows contact information for NCP.
Evaluation
The website provides an address, telephone number and email address.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france
NCP reports on its activities at the national level, to a government office or parliamentary committee, at least once a year.
Evaluation
The NCP does not report to government or parliament on its activities.
Source
National Contact Point 2018 Report to the OECD: France (p. 5)
Website shows text of all of the OECD’s Due Diligence guidance.
Evaluation
The NCP has published the OECD due diligence guidance.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/les-principes-directeurs-de-l-ocde-a-l-intention-des-entreprises-multinationales https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Articles/2021/07/01/rse-cre-bilan-des-principes-directeurs-de-l-ocde https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/deploiement-de-la-conduite-responsable-des-entreprises
Website shows comprehensive Final Statement for each complaint reaching that stage.
Evaluation
Since 2000, the NCP has prepared and published final statements for all cases. Nonetheless, the NCP did not prepare final statements for some cases it received in 2003 and in 2005, and thus cannot now publish final statements for these cases. Instead, the NCP has published a summary of its action in its specific instance dashboard and has shared a summary of the cases for the OECD database.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/decisions- du-pcn-francais-dans-les-circonstances- specifiques
Website shows comprehensive explanation of the Guidelines.
Evaluation
The website includes a comprehensive explanation of the Guidelines.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/les-principes-directeurs-de-l-ocde-a-l-intention-des-entreprises-multinationales https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Articles/2021/07/01/rse-cre-bilan-des-principes-directeurs-de-l-ocde https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/deploiement-de-la-conduite-responsable-des-entreprises
Website shows text of the OECD Guidelines in national language(s) and English.
Evaluation
The website links to the OECD Guidelines in French and English.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/les-principes-directeurs-de-l-ocde-a-l-intention-des-entreprises-multinationales https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Articles/2021/07/01/rse-cre-bilan-des-principes-directeurs-de-l-ocde https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/deploiement-de-la-conduite-responsable-des-entreprises
Website shows Initial Assessment identifying parties in every complaint received, which is posted directly after the initial assessment stage is concluded, or if NCP has not yet received complaints, NCP has made a policy commitment to directly publish initial assessments.
Evaluation
The initial assessments post-2014 are published, and the NCP's Rules of Procedure require it to continue publishing initial statements moving forward. The complaints before 2014 do not have initial assessments published.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/decisions- du-pcn-francais-dans-les-circonstances- specifiques
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP rule and practice today fulfill the criteria.
NCP maintains website with key parts in both national language(s) and English.
Evaluation
The website is available only in French. The website does provide a link to English copies of the Rules of Procedure specific instance template, peer review-related reports, and all NCP specific instance statements (initial, final, follow-up, etc.). It does not provide any explanation of the Guidelines or the NCP in English, nor an English explanation of what the English-linked documents are.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/decisions- du-pcn-francais-dans-les-circonstances- specifiques
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP asserts that its revised website will entail English versions of its promotion page, OECD Guidelines's presentation and all SI titles.
Website explains NCP’s functions in promoting the OECD Guidelines and handling complaints.
Evaluation
The website shows description of both of the NCP's functions.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/decouvrez- le-pcn-francais
NCP submits its most recent annual report to the OECD secretariat and publishes it on its website.
Evaluation
The NCP has filed its Annual Report 2020 to the OECD Secretariat. The NCP does not publish these reports on its website, however, it does publish its own annual report on the website (in French).
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/rapports-d- activite-du-pcn-francais
NCP or government conducted activities abroad in the past year to promote the OECD Guidelines.
Evaluation
The NCP promoted the Guidelines amongst embassies abroad and engaged in international conferences in the past year.
Source
National Contact Point 2018 Report to the OECD: France (pp 13-15)
NCP organises or co-organises at least 1 promotional event annually on the OECD Guidelines attended by business, union, and civil society stakeholder groups.
Evaluation
The NCP organised or attended several events (73) attended by business, union, and civil society stakeholder groups.
NCP has developed in print and on its website promotional materials on the OECD Guidelines and due diligence guidance.
Evaluation
The NCP has produced promotional materials that are available on the website.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france
Website shows NCP’s promotional plan outlining upcoming activities.
Evaluation
The NCP website includes a promotional plan covering the NCP's recent 'achievements' and upcoming work plan.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tre sor-international/pcn-france/strategie-de- communication-du-pcn-francais
Comment of NCP on score
The French NCP objects this assessment because the NCP asserts that its revised website entails the NCP Promotion Plan and a English version will be added soon.
Website shows NCP’s Rules of Procedure for complaint handling in national language(s) and English.
Evaluation
The website shows the Rules of Procedure in both French and English.
Source
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/c9f2b997-c9ba-4850-b776-4d366b593c38/files/0226c90b-8119-44c2-917c-86065232132a (French) https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/1f273064-9b72-44bf-bdb5-90864e4ffd16/files/8eabb9e1-daac-4a55-a13c-5233ca7d1ba3 (English)