What's new at the Dutch NCP?
A blog about recent activities and the latest developments at the Dutch National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; that's what's new.
The NCP was a hot item during the parliamentary committee meeting with the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, on 3 December 2015 about international corporate social responsibility. Topics included supervision of corporate social responsibility and monitoring compliance with the international CSR sector agreements currently being drafted. The House of Representatives is certainly interested in the NCP. And we are keen to explain our role and function to the MPs!
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The NCP took part in the stakeholder meeting to discuss the CSR sector agreements on 15 December 2015. We were asked how we could help in the preparations. Could we check the drafts, for instance, and could we mediate in compliance disputes? In response, we have compiled Q&A's (in Dutch only). The NCP welcomes requests for advice on a draft agreement’s compatibility with the OECD Guidelines. It can help speed up the agreements’ implementation.
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As well as dealing with formal notifications, the NCP also provides advice and works with stakeholders to resolve breaches of the Guidelines. In December the FNV trade union confederation consulted us regarding a violation of union rights abroad. The NCP explained the steps the FNV and its counterparts, could take.
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The NCP was recently involved in compiling the Hoezo-OESO? quiz, a fast and fun way to help entrepreneurs recognise the Guidelines’ themes in their day-to-day activities. It will be held at several international business events this year. We have also brought Hoezo-OESO? to the attention of the Belgian NCP and the Belgian entrepreneurs’ organisation. They too recognise the need for practical tools and information on the Guidelines.
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The Netherlands Enterprise Agency is an important source of information and programme implementer for international enterprises. It also answers questions on international corporate social responsibility and the OECD Guidelines, and discusses them in its contacts with entrepreneurs. The NCP is helping it improve the way it communicates information on the Guidelines. In talks, the NCP has stressed that all the Agency’s projects and programmes, no matter how big or small, should consider the participants’ compliance with the Guidelines.
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At its January meeting, the NCP discussed a concept note on the OECD General Guidance on Risk-Based Due Diligence. The note has not yet been made public. The NCP supports the development of this guidance as an opportunity to clarify a number of concepts in the Guidelines for the benefit of enterprises. The NCP has also asked key stakeholders for their opinions before it provides input to the Paris OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct in March.
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On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an online training course will be developed this year to teach civil servants and embassy staff about the importance of the OECD Guidelines, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the role of the government. The NCP will provide input for the course to highlight the role of the OECD Guidelines as an overarching framework.
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Latest on Specific Instances: see our website for the Final Statement on Rabobank and the first evaluation of Atradius DSB.
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A date for your diary: Tuesday morning, 19th April 2016, NCP seminar on Due Diligence in The Hague (Only in Dutch).
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If you have any comments or questions, please email us at ncpoecd@minbuza.nl