National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct

Guidelines for Sweden’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct

On 10 April, the Government Offices adopted Guidelines for Sweden’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP). The aim is to clarify the NCP’s working methods and decision-making process. For example, the Guidelines state that the NCP is to collaborate with representatives of civil society and academia.

• Guidelines for Sweden’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (pdf)

Decision upon an Initial Assessment in a matter regarding the African Development Bank

On 6 September 2023 the NCP decided upon an Initial Assessment in a matter regarding the African Development Bank.

• Initial assessment of Individual and African Development Bank (pdf)

Updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct are the globally leading standard on responsible business conduct. The updated Guidelines were approved at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting on 8 June 2023. For more information we refer to:

• MNE Guidelines - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (oecd.org)

Form for submitting a complaint

There is now a form for submitting complaints in accordance with the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises.

• Form for submitting a complaint.docx

Iranian Center for International Criminal Law’s complaint against Mölnlycke

On the 14 May 2021 the Iranian Center for International Criminal Law filed a complaint against Mölnlycke with the Swedish NCP. On the 15 November 2021 the NCP decided upon an initial assessment.

• Initial Statement NCP matter December 2021 (pdf)

Peer review examination of the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP)

On 8-9 December 2021 there was a peer review examination of the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP). A team from Brazil, France, Slovakia and the OECD Secretariat, had virtual meetings with, among others, the NCP, ministries and agencies as well as the civil society, in order to get a closer insight into the activities of the NCP. The examination report, which includes recommendations, is available on the OECD webpage.

• Guidelines for MNEs - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (oecd.org)

BİRLESİK METAL-İŞ complaint against Systemair AB

On the 11 January 2021 BİRLESİK METAL-İŞ filed a complaint against Systemair AB with the Swedish NCP. On the 23 September 2021 the NCP decided upon an initial assessment, and on the 27 September 2022 the NCP decided upon a final statement. On 18 October 2023 the NCP decided upon a follow up statement. With this statement the matter is concluded.

• Turkish Metal Workers Union, BİRLESİK METAL-İŞ and Systemair AB
• Final Statement by the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP)
• Follow up statement (pdf)

Lumière Synergie pour le Développement and Takkom Jerry’s complaint against Nykomb Synergetics Development

On 7 May 2015 Lumière Synergie pour le Développement and Takkom Jerry Polyvalence Culturelle et Environnementale filed a complaint against Nykomb Synergetics Development AB with the Swedish NCP. The complaint alleged that the company did not respect the OECD Guidelines in connection with the construction of a coal power plant in Senegal and that the project would have adverse social and environmental impacts. The NCP has issued an initial assessment and a final statement.

• Initial Statement by the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP)
• Final Statement by the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP)

Swedwatch’s complaint against Electrolux

On 9 April 2013 Swedwatch filed a complaint against Electrolux AB with the Swedish NCP. The complaint concerned an Electrolux wholly-owned subsidiary in Thailand and its conduct following wage negotiations with trade union members. On 23 September 2013 the NCP issued a statement.

• National Contact Point statement – Swedwatch’s complaint regarding Electrolux

Swedwatch’s complaint against Mölnlycke

On 9 April 2013 Swedwatch filed a complaint against Mölnlycke Health Care AB with the Swedish NCP. The complaint concerned one of Mölnlycke's factories in Thailand. Also in this case, the complaint concerned the company's conduct in connection with wage negotiations. On 23 September 2013 the NCP issued a statement.

• National Contact Point statement – Swedwatch’s complaint regarding Mölnlycke

Jijnevaerie sameby’s complaint against Statkraft

On 29 October 2012 Jijnevaerie sameby filed a complaint against the Norwegian state-owned wind power company Statkraft with the Swedish and Norwegian NCP. The complaint alleged that the Norwegian state-owned wind power company Statkraft violated the rights of the indigenous population, in this case the Sami, through its environmental impact in areas where the Sami conduct reindeer husbandry. On 9 February 2016 the NCP issued a final statement.

• Press release by the OECD National Contact Points (NCPs) in Norway and Sweden
• Final Statement Jijnjevaerie Saami village – Statkraft SCA Vind AB (SSVAB) by the OECD National Contact Points in Norway and Sweden
• Initial Statement Jijnjevaerie Sami Village vs Statkraft by the OECD National Contact Points in Norway and Sweden

The Saami Council’s complaint against the German Bank KfW IPEX-Bank in Sweden

On 16 April 2010 the Saami Council filed a complaint against the German Bank KfW IPEX-Bank with the Swedish and the German NCP. The complaint alleged that the German bank KfW IPEX-Bank had breached the general policies provisions of the Guidelines by its financing of the Markbygden wind park project in Sweden. After consideration, the Swedish NCP, in contact with the German NCP, decided that the request by the Saami Council should not be accepted for further consideration.

CDHA and Bellona’s complaint against Nordea

On 12 July 2006 the Argentinian NGO CDHA (Center for Human Rights and Environment) filed a complaint against Nordea regarding its part-funding of the Finnish company Botina with the Swedish and Norwegian NCP. The complaint alleged that Nordea's part-funding of the Finnish company Botina's pulp mill project Orion in Uruguay affected local communities' economic security and human rights. The complaint also mentioned problems regarding disclosure and bribery. In January 2008 the NCP issued a final statement.

• Final Statement CEDHA vs Nordea by the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP)

Attac Sweden and Friends of the Earth Sweden’s complaint against Atlas Copco and Sandvik

On 17 February 2003 Attac Sweden and Friends of the Earth Sweden filed two complaints against Atlas Copco and Sandvik in Ghana with the Swedish NCP. The complaint alleged that the Swedish companies through business relations and active cooperation, mainly with the two mining companies Ashanti Goldfields and Ghana Australian Goldfields, did not follow the OECD's guidelines on human rights and environmental considerations in the areas where the mining companies were active. In June 2003, the NCP issued a final statement.

• Statement by the Swedish National Contact Point (NCP)