Responsible Business Conduct

Summary

The U.S. government’s commitment to responsible business conduct (RBC) shapes global standards to ensure that rights are respected around the world and companies benefit by doing business responsibly.

The RBC team provides guidance, promotion and support for responsible business practices, engaging the private sector, labor groups, non-governmental organizations, and other governments. The RBC team coordinates the following awards and programs:

Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence recognizes U.S. companies that uphold high standards as responsible members of their communities for nearly 20 years.

The U.S. National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct is a dispute resolution and mediation resource that can assist companies and stakeholders when responsible business conduct issues arise in a company’s operations.

On June 16, 2021, Secretary Blinken announced on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration that we will soon begin updating and revitalizing the United States’ National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). This effort will bring together the U.S. private sector, civil society groups, and workers’ organizations to promote RBC by U.S. businesses operating and investing abroad.

Guidance and Support for Responsible Business [473 KB]

The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) provides guidance, promotion and support for responsible business practices, engaging the private sector, labor groups, non-governmental organizations, and other governments, based on international best practices. EB advances responsible business conduct through the OECD and the Secretary’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence, and houses the U.S. National Contact Point, which offers a dispute resolution mechanism under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. By helping U.S. companies promote human rights, respect for rule of law, sustainability, and investments in local communities, governments and consumers around the world seek U.S. products, services, and investments. The Office of Investment Affairs (IFD/OIA) promotes responsible business conduct through work at the OECD and housing the U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs coordinates the annual Award for Corporate Excellence.

U.S. National Contact Point

The U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines helps promote awareness on issues such as labor rights, human rights, anti-corruption, supply chain due diligence, and more. The U.S. National Point of Contact team offers a dispute resolution and mediation mechanism that can assist companies, labor groups, and NGOs when issues arise related to implementing responsible business conduct in a company’s operations.

Managing Adverse Risks to Women in Supply Chains: Recommended Actions for Companies

This is a set of recommendations for companies to strengthen respect for women’s rights while addressing adverse risks to businesses in their supply chains. Companies have important roles in addressing the unique risks and challenges women face within complex supply chains. Businesses should take steps to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remedy human rights abuses of women and girls that businesses cause or contribute to, or are directly linked to through their activities. Empowering women and girls is the best way to achieve positive economic and inclusive social development outcomes.

Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence

The Secretary of State’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) recognizes and honors U.S. companies that uphold high standards as responsible members of their communities and represent American values in the way they do business in their overseas operations.

U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct

We are updating the National Action Plan in light of the U.S. government’s commitment to promoting fair play, the rule of law, and high standards for global commerce in line with democratic values. Learn more here: https://www.state.gov/responsible-business-conduct-national-action-plan/