Norway’s National Contact Point (NCP) for Responsible Business Conduct, the country’s lead body for promoting sustainable business, is fulfilling its mission despite resource constraints, according to a new OECD peer review. The review finds that the NCP is effectively promoting the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (the Guidelines) and helping to resolve complaints brought against companies.
At the same time, the report highlights that more needs to be done to ensure the NCP can continue to deliver on its mission in a context of increased demand for its services. The adoption of Norway’s 2022 Transparency Act has heightened attention on responsible business conduct and raised new opportunities. This has put pressure on the NCP, as businesses seek enhanced guidance and support.
The review of Norway’s NCP shows that stakeholders appreciate its structure, which combines independent experts and a secretariat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Stakeholders see the NCP as impartial and transparent, with high levels of expertise and readiness to collaborate. Stakeholders raise concerns, however, regarding ongoing discussions on potential reforms to the location of the NCP.
The NCP supports companies and stakeholders in resolving concrete sustainability issues, by facilitating mediation to resolve grievances against companies or providing clear guidance on how to improve business practice. Since 2011, the NCP concluded 10 such cases, including several involving Norwegian companies with state ownership, often drawing media attention. Cases are becoming increasingly complex, making it difficult for the NCP to conclude all cases in a timely manner.
To guide businesses and stakeholders on responsible business conduct, the NCP organises many events and workshops. It also provides practical tools and materials on its well-managed website. The NCP frequently collaborates with others, including the Consumer Authority that oversees the Transparency Act. Strategic planning and co-ordination could enhance the impact of outreach and trainings.
The review suggests that the government is missing an opportunity by seeking the NCP’s advice on laws and policies for responsible business conduct in an ad hoc manner. The NCP’s expertise on OECD standards could consistently support Norway’s efforts to encourage responsible business conduct in line with international standards towards a level playing field, such as in trade and investment promotion and procurement. Key ministries are not yet connected to the NCP’s mandate, notably the Ministry of Children and Families that oversees the Transparency Act.
The peer review recommends that Norway:
- Ensure that resources of the NCP are adequate to respond to growing demand;
- Draw systematically on the NCP’s expertise in policymaking on responsible business conduct;
- Update the NCP’s legal basis in consultation with stakeholders, notably to recognise the NCP’s role to support government;
- Create synergies with the awareness-raising and trainings of other stakeholders;
- Improve the timeliness of case management.
The NCPs of Luxembourg and the United States led this peer review. Norway is invited to report on follow up on these recommendations to the OECD by December 2026.
The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (the Guidelines) are the most comprehensive international standard to align activities of business with the needs of society. The Guidelines are backed by 52 governments in the OECD and beyond, which are required to establish a National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, a unique domestic body to promote the Guidelines and resolve cases brought against companies as a non-judicial grievance mechanism. To ensure continued effectiveness, all NCPs must undertake periodic peer reviews.
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