1. National Contact Point of Switzerland
Relevance and significance of OECD Guidelines for Swiss Multinational Enterprises Results of study on behalf of SECO and SDC
National Contact Point of Switzerland

2. Content Context, Mandate Goals and Methodology
Results and Interpretations
Recommendations

3. Context: OECD guidelines of MNE / National Contact Point
Oldest comprehensive CSR Standard (adopted in 1976)
9 thematic chapters: employment, human rights, environment, bribery, taxation, etc.
Recommendations to their enterprises by 45 States
Duty of the state: promote the Guidelines and set up a National Contact Point (NCP)
NCP: Non-judicial platform for dialogue and mediation

4. OECD Due Diligence Guidances
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains (2011)
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector (2015)
FAO-OECD Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains (2015)
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment & Footwear Sector (2017)
OECD Responsible Business Conduct in the Financial Sector (good practice papers for institutional investors, 2017)
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business conduct (cross sectorial, aligned with UNGP, 2018)

5. Mandate
Multistakeholder advisory board decided to conduct a study on awareness of OECD GL by Swiss Enterprises
Elaboration of TOR by NCP secretariat in close consultation with NCP advisory board
Invitation of 3 offers by research institutes
Co financing of SECO and SDC (50’000 CHF in total)
Members not on photo: SGV-USAM, Travail Suisse, Academia, FDFA
Mandate offered to:
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences / Center of Corporate Responsibility in collaboration with
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland and
öBU – Association for sustainable business

6. Goals of study: 5 questions
Awareness of OECD-GL and NCP by Swiss Enterprises (as well in comparison with other CSR instruments
Which topics of the OECD-GL are implemented by Swiss Enterprises?
Which management elements are used by enterprises?
How are the OECD GL and other CSR instruments are used by enterprises?
What support would be needed to support further the implementation of the OECD GL?

7. Methodology
Combination of qualitative and quantitative research (multimethod approach)
Analysis or reporting of top 500 Swiss Enterprises (in terms volumes of sales) and 10 SME (Top 500: 38 % Finance and Insurance, 8 % Retail)
Online survey (questionnaire): sent to 639 enterprises, 203 answered partially, 57 completely)
Sample of 57 enterprises: 67% large enterprises, 26% SME, 7% not defined (according to the EU commission, SME are defined with less than 250 employees and max 50 Mio Euro volumes of sales)
3. Interviews with representatives of enterprises focus group A (6 rep. large enterprises), B (4 rep. SME)
Study on the OECD GL in comparison with the following other CSR instruments: UNGP, UNGC, GRI, ISO 26000

8. Results: Awareness and application

9. Implementation of chapters of OECD GL
Active implementation means: definition of a strategy and goals, implementation procedures, involvement of stakeholders, monitoring and communication, over all systemic approach (results of survey)
Employment
Environment
Competition
Combatting bribery
Human Rights
Taxation
Local communities
Consumer interests
None

10. Awareness of different aspects of OECD GL (Results of survey)
OECD GL are part of CSR standards
Implementation of OECD GL are recommended by Swiss Gov.
Aware of sector specific instruments
Aware of NCP
Aware of possibility to submit specific instances
Aware of good offices of NCP
Aware of marketing activities of NCP

11. Active application (results of analysis TOP 500)
Assumption by authors: “Reference to a standard in sustainability reporting means, that enterprise actively applies this standard”
% of large enterprises actively apply standard

12. Active application (results of analysis TOP 500)
Assumption by authors: “Reference to a standard in sustainability reporting means, that enterprise actively applies this standard”
% of SME actively apply standard

13. Use of international CSR Standards
Source of inspiration, commitment, guidance, external assurance (certification), assessment of business partners (e.g. suppliers), frame of reference for communication

14. Recommendations (1) : Increase awareness
Increase promotional activities, such as:
Publications
Information meetings
Roundtables
Creation of an award for outstanding corporate behaviour
Work with specific industry associations

15. Recommendations (2): define benefit (USP) of OECD GL
OECD-GL cover all relevant CSR topics
Gives clarity to enterprises regarding international (governmental) expectations
Guidance for enterprise internal holistic analysis
Comparison:
GRI: clear focus on reporting, guidance for materiality analysis, indicators for measurement
UNGC: commitment and communication, exchange with peers
SGD: communication of positive messages

16. Recommendations (4): Increase dissemination of CSR-standards
Recommendations (3): Bridge the perceived gap between OECD GL and enterprises
Involve enterprises and sector business association in NCP advisory board
Develop promotional activities with sectorial business associations
Recommendations (4): Increase dissemination of CSR-standards
Provide orientation to enterprises regarding different CSR-standards
Conduct alignment studies between OECD-GL and CSR-standards developed by private initiatives