Economic and Social Governance

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are recommendations addressed to multinational enterprises operating in or from 42 adhering countries, including Ireland. They provide non-binding principles and standards for Responsible Business Conduct to multinationals in a global context consistent with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards.

The countries adhering to the Guidelines make a binding commitment to implement them. The most recent Guidelines were adopted in 2011 and include chapters on: General Principles; Disclosure; Human Rights; Employment and Industrial Relations; Environment; Combating Bribery, Bribe Solicitation and Extortion; Consumer Interests; Science and Technology; Competition and Taxation.

All governments adhering to the Guidelines have a National Contact Point (NCP) to promote the OECD Guidelines, handle enquiries and contribute to the resolution of issues that arise relating to the implementation of the OECD Guidelines in Specific Instances (a grievance mechanism). The NCP for Ireland is within the Trade Policy Unit of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Information on the Guidelines can be found on: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/trade-investment/trade-policy/

Non-Financial Reporting

The European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 were signed into law on 30 July 2017 and came into operation on 21 August 2017.

More information on disclosure (non-financial) is available at the ODCE website: http://www.odce.ie/en-gb/publications.aspx