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.

OECD Guidelines

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

Agreements

All agreements

News

07 March 2024

Four new members IRBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector

The International RBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector is expanding with Powerfield Netherlands B.V., OW Netherlands Holding B.V., Twentsche Kabelfabriek and Havfram as parties to the agreement. This brings the total number of companies, organisations and governments involved to 51.

06 February 2024

Seaway7, Jan De Nul Group and ZonUnie new members IRBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector

The IRBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector is expanding with Seaway7, Jan De Nul Group and Zonunie as parties to the agreement. This brings the total number of companies, organisations and governments involved to 47.

23 January 2024

New tool helps companies to map risks in value chain

Parties to the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector have developed a new tool: the Due Diligence Risk Matrix. The Matrix gives an overview of the risks for 39 main raw materials within the metals sector.

News overview