Our work on due diligence
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.
What the OECD Guidelines say
The OECD Guidelines expect companies to carry out ongoing, risk-based due diligence across their whole value chain to:
- Identify and assess actual and potential impacts on people, the environment, and other topics covered by the Guidelines
- Prevent and mitigate potential harms, and cease and remedy harms that have occurred
- Engage meaningfully with affected stakeholders throughout the due diligence process
- Address impacts linked to their operations, products, services and business relationships, using their leverage to influence business partners where needed.
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.
Get involved
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.
Related resources
Using the OECD Due Diligence Guidance
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.
Related NCP complaints
See complaints in which civil society has raised concerns about companies’ due diligence practices and failure to prevent or address harm.
How to use the Guidelines
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.
Connected issues
Policy coherence
Why governments should align sustainable business policies with the OECD Guidelines to ensure companies act responsibly.
Human rights
How companies can respect human rights, prevent harm and provide or contribute to remedy when harms occur.
Environment
How companies can prevent and address environmental harm through responsible business conduct practices and due diligence.
Related news and publications
50 years of the OECD Guidelines: Civil society’s priorities for the next chapter
Last week, OECD Watch joined governments, businesses, trade unions and civil society from around the world in Paris for the OECD’s Responsible Business Conduct Week, marking the 50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational…
50 years of the OECD Guidelines: Contributions, limitations, and what is needed next
Recommendations for the OECD and member governments on the future implementation of the Guidelines
OECD Watch statement on advancing legal frameworks for responsible business conduct
Statement on the third meeting of the OECD's Inclusive Platform on Due Diligence Policy Cooperation
Open Letter to the members of the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct
OECD Watch has joined over 100 human rights and environmental organisations – including Indigenous Peoples’ and Afro-descendant peoples’ representative organisations – from more than 55 countries in sending an Open Letter to members of the…
Updated – Alignment within Reach: Remaining opportunities to align the EU CSDDD with the OECD Guidelines
Recommendations for EU policymakers and member states to correct lack of alignment between EU CSDDD and the OECD Guidelines
