The Guidelines constitute a set of voluntary recommendations to multinational enterprises in all the major areas of business ethics, including employment and industrial relations, human rights, environment, information disclosure, combating bribery, consumer interests, science and technology, competition, and taxation. Adhering governments have committed to promote them among multinational enterprises operating in or from their territories.

The instrument’s distinctive implementation mechanisms include the operations of National Contact Points (NCP), which are government offices charged with promoting the Guidelines and handling enquiries in the national context.  Adhering countries comprise all OECD countries, and 9 non-OECD countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Peru and Romania).

The Investment Committee has oversight responsibility for the Guidelines which are one part of a broader OECD investment instrument - the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises.

In May 2011, an update of the Guidelines was adopted at the OECD's 50th Anniversary Ministerial Meeting. This update, the 5th undertaken since the Guidelines were first adopted in 1976, aims to ensure their continued role as a leading international instrument for the promotion of responsible business conduct.

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