In line with the trend for greater demands as regards multinational responsibility, the OECD has over recent years increased the number of its guides, which are discussed between governments, unions and NGOs, to effect corporate socially responsible behavior, the underlying idea being to provide businesses with appropriate tools. The goal is to assist multinational companies by way of practical and technical support so they can succeed in their due diligence obligations. The OECD guides cater to the extractive industries (mining, oil, gas), conflict minerals, supply chains in the agriculture industry and the apparel industry. A guide is currently being drafted for the finance industry.
This particular guide “will help companies identify and prevent potential negative impacts related to human rights, labor, the environment and corruption in garment and footwear supply chains worldwide,” the OECD press statement of 08 February outlined. As with the OECD’s other guides, this particular guide aims to assist companies implement due diligence as advanced by both the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Each guide treats the circumstances that are unique to each individual sector.