Argentina’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP) is a well-established body with a proven track record in promoting the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (the Guidelines), according to the latest OECD peer review. However, declining visibility in recent years risks undermining its continued relevance and effectiveness.
The review highlights the NCP’s potential to play a stronger role in Argentina's responsible business conduct (RBC) landscape, particularly as the government seeks to strengthen dialogue and improve business practices. The NCP has already demonstrated its capacity to support policy coherence, notably in the context of Argentina's first National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights (2023).
Yet declining stakeholder engagement, significant visibility challenges, resource constraints and waning trust in the effectiveness of the NCP grievance mechanism threaten to undermine its activities and impact.
The Argentine NCP's location within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship allows for structural co-operation with other parts of government. It is also supported by the multi-stakeholder Advisory Council bringing together government, business, trade unions and civil society. The review finds, however, that the Council has limited activity. Engagement has declined in recent years, meetings have shifted to fully remote formats, and terms of reference remain unpublished. Civil society and trade union stakeholders have called for the Council to play a more active and independent role in shaping the NCP's agenda.
Since its establishment in 2000, the NCP has handled 15 specific instances, but only one in the past five years, reflecting limited usage and trust in the mechanism, where few cases have resulted in agreements. Outreach to increase visibility could be more strategic, enhancing engagement across Argentina's provinces, sectors and communities. The report points to opportunities to deepen engagement in mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and with SMEs, and calls on the NCP to target emerging issues such as digitalisation and platform work.
Key recommendations include:
- Publishing terms of reference for the Advisory Council, actively leveraging it in NCP work
- Updating founding documents to clarify the NCP's role and strengthen its autonomy
- Progressively restoring resources and ensuring at least one full-time permanent staff member
- Adopting a strategic promotional plan targeting key sectors and stakeholders across Argentina's provinces
- Revising case-handling procedures in consultation with stakeholders
- Promoting the Guidelines and the Role of Government Recommendation to other ministries.
The peer review was conducted by the NCPs of Chile and Romania. Argentina is invited to report on follow-up to these recommendations to the OECD one year following approval of the report.
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.
For further information, please contact: RBC@oecd.org
