International RBC Agreements

Agreements promoting international Responsible Business Conduct (international RBC) involve partnerships between businesses, government, unions and NGOs. Together, these partners work to prevent such abuses as exploitation, animal suffering and environmental damage.

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

Large crane vessel installing a transformer platform in a windfarm under construction of the UK coast

18 October 2021

International responsible business conduct put on the agenda at global offshore wind conference

The participants in the negotiations process for an international responsible business conduct (RBC) agreement for the renewable energy sector were present at the 2021 RenewableUK event in London. In a side-event organised with the Dutch Embassy in the United Kingdom, the theme of human rights and environmental impacts of renewable energy value chains was discussed with companies active in the sector.

24 September 2021

Van Peperzeel signs the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector

Van Peperzeel, collector of old batteries, accumulators and metals, has signed the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector. By signing this agreement, the company aims to make a maximum and responsible contribution to the circular economy.

21 September 2021

Side event Global Offshore Wind 2021: ‘Responsible Sourcing in the Renewable Energy Sector for a Just Transition’

On 29-30 September the annual conference of RenewableUK, Global Offshore Wind, is scheduled to take place in London. The parties of the process for an international RBC agreement for the renewable energy sector are organising a side event at the venue, in cooperation with the Dutch Embassy.

News overview