National Contact Point (NCP) of The Netherlands

Main tasks NCP

An NCP has two main tasks:

• raising awareness of the OECD Guidelines with businesses, trade unions and non-governmental organisations; and
• contributing to the resolution of issues that arise from the alleged non-observance of the Guidelines in specific instances.

The Netherlands NCP performs these tasks by developing promotional material on the OECD Guidelines, by (co-)organising events and by answering questions from the business community, NGOs or others about the implementation of the OECD Guidelines.

Mediation by the NCP

When the implementation of the Guidelines leads to a difference of opinion between stakeholders, or when stakeholders believe that a company is not adhering to the Guidelines, this can be brought to the NCP for resolution. The NCP can assist the involved parties to find a solution in order to avoid further escalation or reputational damage. This can be done in an informal process, or it may be a formal notification of a specific instance.

This second task also contributes to furthering the implementation of the OECD Guidelines: not just by the company involved in a specific instance, but the result of a specific instance can have a broader impact on an industry or sector when it comes to putting responsible business conduct in practice. The OECD Guidelines are also the only international framework for responsible business conduct with a built-in grievance mechanism.

Independent and advisory members

The Netherlands' NCP operates independently from the Dutch government and consists of four independent members and four advisory members from different ministries. The Secretariat of the NCP is based at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The business case for engaging with the NCP

Since 2000, NCPs have handled more than 700 cases (“specific instances”) relating to company operations in over 110 countries, covering issues such as human rights, employment and the environment. Experience shows that, when all parties participate in good faith, the NCP process can be effective in helping to resolve disputes. At the same time, many companies still choose not to engage with the NCP mechanism.

For businesses, participation in an NCP specific instance can offer important benefits. The NCP mechanism has unique characteristics that can help address complex issues and potentially reduce costs associated with RBC-related disputes. Engagement can also help companies manage reputational risks, may be relevant for access to certain forms of government support, and can contribute to building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders. Finally, participation in NCP processes can support and improve a company’s due diligence efforts. In doing so, it can help companies respond to growing expectations around responsible business conduct from regulators, business partners and investors.

Read more: The business case for engaging with the National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct | OECD