Polish OECD NCP Activities

History of the OECD NCP of Poland

After Poland's accession to the OECD (1996) the Polish OECD National Contact Point was created in 1998 within the public administration structure (the Ministry of the State Treasury, the Ministry of Economy). In 2001, the OECD NCP was trasnferred to the Polish Information and Foreign Trade Agency (PAIiIZ). Since 2016 the Polish OECD NCP is again located in the public administration structure – currently in the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

The tasks of the OECD NCP is to:

Promote the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Investigate notifications of alleged breached of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Reports on the Polish OECD NCP activities from 2016 are available below for download.
Reports from 2001-2015 are available in the Archive.

Polish OECD NCP News

Consultation on updating the case-handling procedure of the OECD NCP

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 2023 edition, have been in force since June 8, 2023, and also introduce changes to the functioning of the OECD NCP. Therefore, it is necessary to update the case-handling procedure before the Polish NCP.

The draft procedure update and the currently applicable procedure are available on the OECD NCP website (only Polish version).

Please send written comments on the draft procedure to: kpk.oecd@mfipr.gov.pl by March 15, 2024.

^ 2024 ^

November 9-10, 2023 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCPs Network.

June 28-29, 2023 – Peer review of the Polish OECD NCP for RBC

On June 28-29, 2023, a peer review of the Polish OECD NCP for RBC took place. The peer review Team included representatives of the OECD NCPs from Bulgaria, Germany and the USA as well as representatives of the OECD Secretariat.

Peer reviews of the NCPs provide an important opportunity to share the activities carried out by the OECD NCP and any barriers and challenges the OECD NCP may face in achieving its objectives. The reviews are an opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices in the performance of the tasks of the OECD NCP, and also include examining the procedures of the OECD NCP and the approach to ongoing proceedings, which may help improve the coherence of activities in this area in the future.

The report on the review of the Polish OECD NCP is expected in March 2024.

June 27, 2023 – Conference on updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are the oldest international standard of responsible business, adopted by the OECD in 1976. Since then, the OECD Guidelines have been updated several times. On June 8, 2023, the OECD Council adopted the latest update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
In order to promote the updated OECD Guidelines, the Polish NCP organized a conference entitled: "Responsible business and stakeholder engagement in accordance with the new text of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises". During the conference key changes in the document and the role of stakeholders in the process were discussed.

We invite you to watch the English version of recording of this event on YT channel of MFiPR.

June 20-21, 2023 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCP Network.

Due diligence courses on the OECD e-learning Academy on RBC

Are you interested in risk-based Due Diligence for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) or would like to explore how due diligence works in different supply chains? Sign up for free to the OECD e-learning Academy and receive an OECD certificate of completion.

The OECD e-Learning Academy was launched in 2021 with the course Essentials of OECD Due Diligence for RBC.
This course takes around 2,5 hours and is particularly useful for business practitioners including those working in risk management, operations, procurement, CSR and auditing.

The OECD e-learning Academy now also offers three sector-specific courses, providing information on human rights, labour and environmental risks in agricultural and seafood sector, garment and footwear as well as electronics and vehicle parts supply chains.

January 31, 2023 – Meeting on the targeted update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The OECD NCP organized a meeting for representatives of business, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, trade unions, industry organizations, academia and public administration on the update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
The recording of the meeting can be viewed (in Polish) on the Ministry YT channel.

^ 2023 ^

June 29 - July 1, 2022 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCPs Network.

Public consultation on the OECD-FAO handbook on deforestation, forest degradation and due diligence in supply chains in the agri-food sector

The OECD, in collaboration with FAO, is preparing a Handbook on Deforestation, Forest Degradation and Due Diligence in Agricultural Supply Chains and therefore opened a public consultation to ensure that the handbook benefits from the views and experiences of all stakeholders.

The public consultation was open till July 29, 2022 to all stakeholders from all countries, including businesses, industry groups, civil society organisations, trade unions, as well as academia, citizens, international organisations and governmental experts.

More detailed information on the OECD website.

May 19, 2022 – webinar on due diligence

The Polish OECD National Contact Point organized an online webinar „Due diligence in responsible supply chains from the perspective of responsible business conduct standards”, which was opened by Polish Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

The issue of due diligence will be of significant importance for the companies in the near future, due to the planned EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. Recording of the webinar is avaiable on the YouTube channel of the Ministry Development Funds and Regional Policy. You will find out:

what due diligence means according to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD sectoral guidelines
what practical tips for managing corporate risks are available in the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct

May 3, 2022 – report on the stocktaking exercise on the OECD Guidelines
The OECD published a report on the stocktaking exercise on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in terms of their compliance with current trends and other regulations in the field of responsible business. The report was developed based on inputs from the National Contact Points for RBC; inputs by the Institutional Stakeholders BIAC, TUAC and OECD Watch; and consultations with OECD Committees; and inputs received during an online public consultation held from 1 June until 14 September 2021. More details on the OECD website.

January 31, 2022 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCPs Network.

^ 2022 ^

November 25, 2021 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCPs Network.

July 2021 – Polish language version of the OECD Guidance for banks
Polish OECD NCP published the Polish language version of the OECD Guidance for banks: Due Diligence for Responsible Corporate Lending and Securities Underwriting.

June 22-23 and 29, 2021 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCPs Network, which, due to the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held online.

June 15-17, 2021 – Global Forum on RBC

Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct main theme was: The New Normal for a Sustainable Future. The Forum gathered many representatives of public administration, business, industry organizations, trade unions, non-governmental organizations and academia.

Recordings of the Forum sessions are available on the Global Forum on RBC website, in the Program website.

We highly recommend the video from the session: Access to remedy in the tech sector: The role of NCPs in providing access to remedy for technology-related human rights abuses, which took place on June 15, 2021, 10.00-11.30. The session was attended by a representative of the Polish OECD NCP and representatives of the parties to the OLX case, who presented their experiences from the process of examining the case before the Polish OECD NCP.

March 1, 2021 – Follow up of the case considered by the Polish NCP
The NCP published in Polish and in English the Monitoring Note of 18 February 2021, of the case regarding the PZU Group S.A. The document is available for download on: Notifications.

January 18, 2021 – Initial Assessment of the Polish NCP
The NCP published in Polish and in English its Initial Assessment, of the case in which the notification regarding the Polish enterprise Valeo Autosystemy sp.z o.o. was submitted by the representatives of the “LICZNIK” social movement established by the residents of Skawina. The document is available for download on: Notifications.

^ 2021 ^

2020 marks the 20th anniversary of National Contact Points as non-judicial grievance mechanisms under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. NCPs are a unique implementation mechanism on RBC and have supported access to remedy on a global scale by providing a platform for mediation and conciliation. Please read a report published by the OECD on that ocasion.

OECD report on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the OECD NCPs Network

December 3, 2020 – 20^th anniversary of the OECD Network of National Contact Points

The Polish OECD NCP organized an international conference on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of providing access to remedies by the OECD NCPs Network. The event was opened by Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, Secretary of State at MFiPR, and by Cristina Tebar-Less, acting Head of the Responsible Business Center at the OECD.

During the conference, OECD NCP experts from various countries presented their experiences and talked about the benefits that proceedings before the OECD NCPs can bring, both for enterprises and for other stakeholders.

The conference program is available for download below, as well as links to the Polish and English version of the conference recording.

Conference Program
Video from the conference - Polish version
Video from the conference - English version (please note that English version starts at 4:30 minutes of recording)

November 5, 2020 – webinar of the Polish National Contact Point

Experts from the Polish NCP prepared a webinar to present activity of the OECD NCP as an example of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Information on the structure of the OECD NCP, the procedure to be followed before the OECD NCP and the method of submitting a notification of an alleged breach of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises was discussed.

August 7, 2020 – Follow up of the case considered by the Polish NCP
The NCP published in Polish and in English the Monitoring Note of 28 July 2020, of the case regarding the OLX Group sp.z o.o. The document is available for download on: Notifications.

June 18-19, 2020 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the OECD NCPs Network, which, due to the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held online.

May 19, 2020 and 17 June 2020 – Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct

The annual Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct was held as online conferences due to the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 19, 2020, the approaches of government administrations and enterprises taking into account the principles of Responsible Business (RBC) in solving the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and building more resilient supply chains were discussed. On 17 June 2020, during the second part of the Forum, in connection with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the OECD National Contact Points Network in 2020, issues related to grievance mechanisms and remedies were discussed.

Recordings of the Global Forum on RBC sessions are available for viewing on the OECD website
We also encourage you to read the Report summarizing the discussions of this year's Global Forum on RBC.

April 16, 2020 – the OECD Note on RBC and COVID-19

The crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the economy and people around the world. The OECD RBC Center has prepared a note on the challenges that the COVID-19 crisis poses to business behavior. This note presents the initial responses of governments and businesses and describes the rationale for implementing RBC principles to address the crisis.

The Polish National Contact Point of the OECD has developed the Polish version of the OECD note on RBC and COVID-19.
In addition, the OECD website collects data, information, analysis and recommendations on the health, economic, financial and social challenges related to the impact of the coronavirus.

March 13, 2020 – statement of the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct

The OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct published its statement regarding alleged incidents of undue pressure on those submitting cases to National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct.

The statement is available on the OECD in English and French.

February 28, 2020 – Workshop for representatives of the financial sector

The workshop was organized by the Polish OECD NCP at the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy with the participation of the OECD experts. The aim of the workshop was to introduce to the Polish financial sector the OECD guidance’s developed for the financial sector: Guidance for institutional investors and Guidance for banks regarding due diligence for responsible corporate lending and securities underwriting. About 70 representatives of banks, insurance companies, credit intermediaries as well as institutions and sector organizations of the financial sector participated in the workshop.

^ 2020 ^

November 6-7, 2019 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
On November 6, 2019, representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the NCPs from Eastern and Central Europe.
On November 7, 2019, representatives of the Polish OECD NCP participated in the meeting of the NCPs Network at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

August 6, 2019 – Final Statement of the Polish NCP
The NCP published in Polish and in English the Final Statement of July 26, 2019, of the case in which the notification regarding the PZU S.A. Group was submitted in April 2018 by the Foundation “Development YES – Open-Pit Mines NO”. The document is available for download on: Notifications.

July 1, 2019 – Final Statement of the Polish NCP
The NCP published in Polish and in English the Final Statement of 13 June 2019, of the case in which the notification regarding the OLX Group sp.z o.o. was submitted in April 2018 by the Frank Bold Foundation. The document is available for download on: Notifications.

June 19-20, 2019 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representative of the Poland's NCP took part in the meeting of the Network of OECD NCPs. During the meeting representatives of Poland's OECD NCP also participated in the first meeting of the NCPs from Eastern and Central European Countries.

June 12-13, 2019 – The Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct
Representative of the Poland's NCP took part in the Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct, the annual RBC event which brings together stakeholders from business, trade unions, civil society and academia to debate key global social and economic challenges related to responsible business conduct. The 2019 RBC Forum took place as part of the Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, an integral event of Bangkok Business and Human Rights week.

May 20, 2019 – Meeting for representatives of the financial sector
A meeting organized by the Polish NCP at the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology. About 100 representatives of financial sector industry organizations as well as financial institutions and enterprises participated in it.

During the meeting the OECD Guidance for Institutional Investors was presented. The issues of planned EU regulations in the field of sustainable finance and the possibility of using the OECD Guidelines as a business support tool in this context were also discussed. For this purpose, the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development prepares the Polish language version of this OECD document.

March 21, 2019 – Meeting with representatives of the garment and footwear sector
A meeting organized by the Polish NCP at the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology. During the meeting, were discussed issues related to the practical implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector.

^ 2019 ^

December 18, 2018 – the Polish NCP published a note
The NCP published in Polish and in English information on acceptance of the case, in which a notification of a an alleged breach of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises was submitted in August 2018. For the sake of the case, the NCP decided not to make the content of the Initial Assessment regarding the case. Information from December 18, 2018 is available for download on: Notifications.

December 5, 2018 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representatives of the Poland's OECD NCP took part in the meeting of the Network of OECD NCPs, which took place at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

June 29, 2018 – Conference on due diligence in supply chains
During the conference issues related to due diligence in the supply chains were discussed and the Polish language version of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector was announced. The Ministry of Investment and Economic Development as well as Poland's OECD NCP encourages representatives of the garment and footwear sector to use the Guidance in practice, and representatives of industry organizations, trade unions and social organizations to widely disseminate information about the standards of responsible business conduct.

The conference participants were also informed about the latest OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, published on May 31, 2018. This document provide practical support for enterprises in implementing the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises by providing explanations on due diligence.

June 25, 2018 – Initial Assessment of the Polish NCP
The NCP published in Polish and in English its Initial Assessment, of the case in which the notification regarding the OLX Group sp.z o.o. was submitted in April 2018 by the Frank Bold Foundation. The document is available for download on: Notifications.

June 20, 2018 – Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct
Representatives of the Poland's OECD NCP took part in Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct, organized by the OECD in Paris.

June 18-19, 2018 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representatives of the Poland's OECD NCP took part in the meeting of the Network of OECD NCPs, which took place at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

February 21, 2018 – Meeting of the Partnership for the translation of OECD guidance for the garment and footwear sector
In 2017, at the initiative of the NCP, a Partnership for the translation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector was established. The partnership was composed of representatives of government administration, business, industry organizations and non-governmental organizations:

Ministry of Investment and Economic Development
Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology
CCC S.A.
Carrefour Poland
Polontex S.A.
Vistula Group S.A.
NSZZ Federation of Light Industry
Gdynia Cotton Association
Federation of Apparel & Textiles Industry Employers
Institute of Leather Industry
Responsible Business Forum
La Strada Foundation against Trafficking in Persons and Slavery
Buy Responsibly Foundation
Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business

January 30-31, 2018 – OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector
A representative of the Polish NCP participated in sessions of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in 2018 OECD Garment and Footwear sector organized by the OECD in Paris.

The first session of the Forum was devoted to the issue of OECD Member States efforts in promoting OECD Guidance on Due Diligence in Responsible Supply Chains in garment and footwear sector. A representative of the Polish NCP presented during this session basic information on the garment sector in Poland and information on the partnership with the representatives of business, industry organizations and social organizations aimed at translating the OECD guidance into Polish.

^ 2018 ^

December 5-6, 2017 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representative of Polish NCP took part in the meeting of the Network of OECD NCPs, organized at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

November 27-29, 2017 – UN Forum on Business and Human Rights
epresentatives of Polish NCP participated in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights titled "Realising Access to Effective Remedy" organized in Geneva by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

October 2, 2017 – Conference on the execution of Poland's National Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 2017-2020
The conference was addressed to representatives of public administration, business and NGOs to comprehensively present the issues adopted by the Council of Ministers in May 2017 of the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights for 2017-2020 (NAP on BHR). The goal was also to start a discussion on the most effective methods of implementing the NAP on BHR, potential partner activities, as well as the necessary legislative activities to ensure the full implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

June 29-30, 2017 – Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct
Representative of Polish NCP took part in Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct, organized by the OECD in Paris.

June 27, 2017 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representative of Polish NCP took part in the meeting of the Network of OECD NCPs, organized at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

June 8 and August 21, 2017 – Poland's OECD NCP meetings with stakeholders from the garment and footweare sector
The aim of the meetings was the creation of a partnership for translating into Polish the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector.

May 18-19, 2017 – Workshop for OECD NCPs on co-operation and building trust
Representatives of Poland's OECD NCP took part in an event titled "Workshop on building collaboration and confidence between NCPs and stakeholders in CEE: Understanding each other’s challenges and building on opportunities", which was organized by the Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business as part of a project realized by OECD Watch and the Frank Bold Foundation titled "Improving Access to Remedy in CEE Countries".

February 2017 – Training for members of Poland's OECD NCP
Members of Poland's OECD NCP took part in a training on civil and economic mediation, organized by the Polish Mediation Centre.

January 8-9, 2017 – Roundtable on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector
Representative of Polish NCP participated in a meeting organized at the OECD headquarters in Paris on due diligence in garment and footwear sector.

^ 2017 ^

December 2, 2016 – Training session on CSR/RBC for civil servants
The main aim of the training was to inform workers of the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Finance on issues concerning CSR and the concept of RBC (Responsible Business Conduct) as outlined by the OECD. Attendees also gained practical knowledge in reading social reports.

November 22-23, 2016 – Meeting of the Network of OECD National Contact Points for responsible business conduct
Representative of Polish NCP took part in the meeting of the Network of OECD NCPs, organized at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

November 17-18, 2016 – Second Budapest Conference on Responsible Business Conduct and The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Members of Poland's OECD NCP took part in workshops on the topic of RBC and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, organized by the Ministry of National Economy of Hungary.

October 7, 2016 – NCPs peer-learning session
Poland's OECD NCP organized peer-learning workshops for members of OECD NCPs from nine countries on the topic of linking corporate non-financial information disclosure with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

October 6, 2016 – International conference "Responsible Development – Responsible Business. 40th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines, 20 years of Poland in the OECD”
The main aim of the conference was the promotion of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises among representatives of government, business, academia, NGOs, and trade unions.

June 28, 2016 – Conference on Non-financial Reporting in Poland
The conference was organized with the aim of promoting the Polish non-financial reporting standard GRI G4. Due to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises being the main reference to the GRI G4, their role was also discussed during the event.

June 1, 2016 – Establishment of Poland's OECD NCP within the Ministry of Economic Development
Due to structural changes within the Polish administration, a decision was made to transfer Poland's OECD NCP from the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency to the Ministry of Economic Development.