The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct are government‑backed recommendations for multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries.
Areas of responsibility
The OECD Guidelines are internationally agreed responsible business conduct standards that governments expect multinational enterprises to comply with.
The standards cover all areas of business activity including:
- disclosure
- human rights
- employment
- employment and industrial relations
- environment
- combatting bribery and other forms of corruption
- science, technology and innovation
- consumer interests
- competition
- taxation.
Australia and the OECD Guidelines
The Australian Government is committed to promoting and implementing the responsible business conduct standards under the OECD Guidelines.
Through business cooperation and support, the OECD Guidelines can positively influence business conduct and ultimately, economic, environmental and social progress.
Multinational businesses operating in Australia and Australian companies operating overseas are expected to act in accordance with the responsible business conduct standards under the OECD Guidelines.
The OECD Guidelines supplement Australian law and are not legally binding.
Resources
Read the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (2023 edition).
For a high-level overview of the 2023 OECD Guidelines, read the OECD flyer [PDF 1.52MB].
Read the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2011 edition).
For more information on the OECD Guidelines and to read about the key changes [PPTX 3.6MB] between the 2011 and 2023 editions, visit the OECD website.
Please see our note on transitional arrangements.
Responsible business conduct video
Watch the OECD's video for an overview of responsible business conduct.