The OECD received responses from 526 businesses across Latin America and the Caribbean, gathered under the regional survey conducted in early 2025. These results span 26 countries and 13 sectors and help understand awareness, practices and challenges of companies in Latin America and the Caribbean in relation to responsible business conduct (RBC), in particular due diligence.
The 2025 OECD Survey on Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean is a first step towards building an evidence base on the current adoption of due diligence practices in the region and identify challenges businesses are facing in implementing RBC principles and standards. In particular, the survey provides insights into how a wide array of businesses operating in the region are dealing with market demands, emerging regulations, participation in sustainability initiatives, and other key factors that influence due diligence decisions and practices.
The survey was developed as part of the Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBC-LAC) Project, funded by the European Union through its Global Gateway strategy and implemented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR). The main takeaways of the survey are presented below.
1. Compliance with regulation is the main motivation for conducting due diligence
A wide range of motivations were considered relevant by most respondents. Compliance with regulation or government expectations was the most-often cited motivation, selected by over four fifths of respondents. Around three quarters of respondents indicated that improving reputation and conducting responsible business conduct as part of core company values were also relevant motivations for conducting due diligence. Over two thirds cited improving operational performance, preventing or mitigating supply chain disruptions, and gaining market access.
2. RBC due diligence policies most often cover own operations, more rarely business relationships
Around three fifths of respondents indicated that their enterprise has an RBC due diligence policy in place. A quarter indicated that these policies cover the enterprise’s own operations. Only around a fifth indicated that these policies cover both the enterprise’s own operations and its business relationships.
3. A majority of respondents track the implementation and effectiveness of their due diligence activities
More than half of respondents indicated that they track the implementation and effectiveness of their due diligence activities, while around one quarter indicated that they do not.
4. A majority of respondents do not publicly disclose information on their due diligence process
Three fifths of respondents replied not publicly disclosing information on their due diligence process. More than one quarter of respondents indicated publicly disclosing such information.
5. A majority of respondents exclusively rely on internal grievance mechanisms for remediation
Over half of respondents indicated relying on their own internal grievance mechanisms. More than one quarter indicated having no mechanism in place, while smaller shares indicated using external mechanisms or a combination of internal and external mechanisms.
