International RBC Agreements

Agreements promoting international Responsible Business Conduct (international RBC) involve partnerships between businesses, trade associations, government, unions and NGOs. Together, these partners work to identify and prevent abuses like exploitation, animal suffering and environmental damage. Since 2016, the Dutch RBC Agreements have gained experience with implementing the due diligence expectations of the OECD Guidelines. Please check the websites of the individual agreements for practical tools and guidelines.

Cotton pickers in action. Illustration for the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile.

Why conclude IRBC agreements?

International business dealings may involve complex problems such as environmental pollution and child labour. By concluding agreements, businesses work with other stakeholders to tackle these problems.

Background

In 2014, the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER) recommended concluding multistakeholder agreements in each relevant sector. By cooperating, stakeholders can concentrate their efforts to combat abuses.

Man working at his sawing machines. Illustration for the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile.

Agreements overview

There are IRBC agreements in the garments and textile, banking, and gold sectors. Other agreements are being negotiated.

OECD Guidelines

Watch a short video about the OECD Guidelines here. Together with the UNGPs, these form the framework for international RBC.

Agreements

agreements

News

05 May 2022

SER starts project 'Meaningful dialogue in international chains'

Companies which conduct business responsibly take into account the interests and well-being of all stakeholders. The SER project 'meaningful dialogue', made possible in part by the Goldschmeding Foundation, helps companies to engage in dialogue with stakeholders.

28 April 2022

Guidance to tackle health and safety risks in natural stone sector

The TruStone Initiative has released a guidance to support companies in the natural stone sector addressing risks in the field of safety and health issues at the workplace in their supply chains. The manual is available to everyone.

20 April 2022

Side event OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains: responsible sourcing for a just energy transition

The 15th OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains will take place on 2-6 May 2022. CNV International and other members of the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector will be organising an official partner session during the Forum. The side event offers the opportunity the learn more about a multi-stakeholder approach to identify and mitigate the hidden risks of the global energy transition in key mining supply chains.

News overview