The establishment of the OECD National Contact Point Slovenia

As part of the accession process of the Republic of Slovenia to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Slovenia signed the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. By adopting this declaration, Slovenia undertook to implement the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, to establish the OECD NCP Slovenia and to adopt the Rules on Handling Specific Instances.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. They provide non-binding principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a global context consistent with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards. The guidelines are the only multilaterally agreed and comprehensive code of responsible business conduct that governments have committed to promoting.

Topics covered in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises include the following: concepts and principles, general policies, disclosure, human rights, employment and industrial relations, environment, combating bribery, bribe solicitation and extortion, consumer interests, science and technology, competition and taxes.

Handling Specific Instances of the OECD National Contact Point Slovenia

The OECD NCP Slovenia contributes to the resolution of issues that arise relating to the implementation of the guidelines in specific instances in a manner that is impartial, predictable, equitable and compatible with the principles and standards of the guidelines. The OECD NCP Slovenia offers a forum for discussion and assists the business community, worker organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other interested parties in dealing with the issues raised in an efficient and timely manner and in accordance with the applicable legislation. In the provision of such support, the OECD NCP Slovenia first makes an initial assessment of whether the issues raised merit further examination and responds to the parties involved. If further examination of issues raised is required, it provides services to the parties involved in accordance with the Rules on Handling Specific Instances. For this purpose, the OECD NCP Slovenia consults with these parties and where relevant:

• seeks advice from relevant authorities, representatives of the business community, worker organisations, other non-governmental organisations and relevant experts;
• consults the NCP in the other country or countries concerned;
• seeks the guidance of the OECD Investment Committee if it has doubts about the interpretation of the guidelines in particular circumstances;
• offers and, with the agreement of the parties involved, facilitates access to consensual and non-adversarial means, such as conciliation or mediation, to assist the parties in dealing with the issues.

At the conclusion of the procedures and after consultation with the parties involved, the OECD NCP Slovenia will make the results of the procedure publicly available, taking into account the need to protect sensitive business and other stakeholder information, by issuing:

• a statement when it decides that the issues raised do not merit further consideration;
• a report when the parties have reached agreement on the issues raised;
• a statement if no agreement is reached or if a party is unwilling to participate in the procedures.

Expert Review of the Slovenian National Contact Point for the OECD

The OECD also conducts peer reviews of the OECD National Contact Points (NCPs), checking that the NCP operates in a visible, accessible, transparent and accountable manner. The OECD launched a review of the Slovenian National Contact Point in May 2022. The OECD's detailed report on the Slovenian National Contact Point is published here.