Argentina adhered to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises in 1997. Adherence to that Declaration made our country a signatory to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which are part of that instrument. Argentina was also represented and actively participated in the referred process of updating the OECD Guidelines.
The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are recommendations addressed at multinational enterprises operating in or based in acceding countries. They contain non-binding principles and provisions for responsible business conduct within the global context, in accordance with applicable laws and internationally recognized standards. The Guidelines are the only multilaterally agreed and comprehensive code of responsible business conduct that governments have committed to promoting.
The objective of the Guidelines is to ensure that the activities of these companies are carried out in harmony with public policies, to strengthen the mutual trust base between companies and the societies in which they operate, to contribute to improving the climate for foreign investment, and enhance the contribution of multinational companies to sustainable development.
As provided in paragraph 11, Chapter I. Concepts and Principles, governments that have signed the Guidelines will implement and promote their use. They will establish National Contact Points with the mission of promoting the Guidelines and acting as a discussion forum for all matters related to them.
Likewise, Part II p.1 establishes that “The acceding countries will establish National Contact Points to favor the effectiveness of the Guidelines by carrying out promotional activities, attending to consultations and contributing to the resolution of questions that arise in relation to the implementation of the Guidelines in specific instances. The business sector, workers' organizations, other non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders will be informed about the availability of these mechanisms
The chapters of the Guidelines are as follows:
- Concepts and Principles
- General Policies
- Disclosure
- Human Rights
- Employment and Industrial relations
- Environment
- Combating Bribery, Bribe Soicitation and extortion
- Consumer Interests
- Science and Technology
- Competition
- Taxation
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises