The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises were adopted by the OECD in 1976. The Guidelines are principles and standards which apply to multinational corporations belonging or operating in countries which have adhered to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, to which the guidelines are annexed. The Guidelines are a tool to increase sustainable practices of corporations in countries where the legal enforcement of human rights and environmental laws is weak. Corporations to which the guidelines apply are urged to apply the strictest standards regardless of their country of operations.
Although the Guidelines are not legally binding NGOs (and others) increasingly submit formal complaints to the OECD where they suspect that corporations are in breach of the Guidelines. To facilitate the handling and conclusions of these cases, there are National Contact Points for the Guidelines in key OECD countries. These contact points launch investigations into the cases brought forward to them. The progress of cases can be followed on OECD Watch which is a network of NGOs following the effectiveness of the Guidelines.
The Guidelines were revised in 2000 and another revision is currently in preparation. New rules will include clarification of the responsibilities of the companies regarding human rights, working conditions and climate change.
