National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct peer reviews

All 52 governments adhering to the MNE Guidelines are required to undertake periodic peer reviews of their National Contact Point (NCP). The objectives of peer reviews are to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the NCP in accordance with its responsibilities and the core effectiveness criteria set out in the Procedures; and to make recommendations for improvement.

In 2024, the Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct (WPRBC) adopted Modalities for the Peer Review of National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct, which set out rules and procedures governing peer reviews.

From 2009 to 2024, NCP peer reviews were conducted on a voluntary basis. See below for details.

The peer review process lasts between 18 months and two years and is divided into six steps ; it relies heavily on stakeholder participation.

Peer reviews result in a public report setting out a structured assessment of the NCP’s achievement of core effectiveness criteria, as well as findings and recommendations concerning the NCP’s institutional assessment and fulfillment of its missions.

Every country reports back to the WPRBC on the implementation of its peer review recommendations one year after the publication of the report.

See below the published peer review reports.

The peer review cycle lasts seven years. Below is indicative planning for the peer reviews to be held in the 2025-2031 cycle. The peer review reports will be published afterwards.

Following the 2023 update of the Guidelines, NCP peer reviews will now take place every seven years with the new review cycle kicking off in 2025.

Prior to 2025, NCPs have undergone peer reviews on a voluntary basis. The methodology for the peer review followed the Revised Core Template for Voluntary Peer Reviews of NCPs (2019).