Tasks and organisation of the NCP
The National Contact Point (NCP) promotes compliance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. It discusses all relevant issues with the parties involved in order to help resolve any problems that may arise in implementing the Guidelines.
Tasks
The NCP's work is one of SECO's three priorities for promoting responsible business conduct.
The OECD Guidelines are legally non-binding recommendations on responsible business conduct issued by the governments of the 38 OECD member states and around a dozen other countries to companies based in their territories. They apply wherever multinational enterprises operate. Every signatory state is required to establish a National Contact Point. The NCP fulfils the following tasks:
- Raising awareness of the OECD Guidelines and promoting their implementation
- Serving a dialogue platform and out-of-court mediation body for questions and complaints
- Supporting the relevant federal authorities in developing, implementing and streamlining measures to promote responsible business conduct.
The Swiss NCP collaborates with other NCPs and shares its experience. It reports annually to the OECD on its activities.
Organisation
The Swiss NCP is housed within the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), under International Investment and Corporate Sustainability. For each complaint, the NCP sets up a dedicated internal working group comprising representatives of the federal authorities concerned. The NCP's organisation and activities are governed by the OECD Council Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises and the Ordinance of 1 May 2013 on the Organisation of the National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and on its Advisory Board.
NCP Advisory Board
An Advisory Board supports the NCP in its strategic direction and the application of the OECD Guidelines. The Advisory Board has 14 members (in German). It is comprised of the Director of SECO, three further federal administration representatives, and two representatives each from employers' associations, trade unions, business associations, non-governmental organisations and academia. SECO serves as secretariat to the Advisory Board.
Advisory Board deliberations are not public; however, after each meeting the Advisory Board publishes a brief summary of its discussions and reports on its activities in the NCP's annual report.
NCP reviews
The NCP undergoes regular reviews by the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct and participates in peer reviews of other NCPs. Following an initial review in 2016, NCP staff from the United Kingdom and Iceland, together with the OECD Secretariat, visited Switzerland in November 2025 and interviewed representatives of the Federal Administration, business, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and academia on the workings of the Swiss NCP.
Index
Press releases
Responsible Business Conduct: OECD gives Switzerland high marks
7.6.2026
OECD launches updated guidelines on responsible business conduct
08.06.2023
Related topics
Corporate Sustainability CSR
Corporate sustainability encompasses the impact of business activities on society and the environment. It is regarded as a contribution to sustainable development.
OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct
The OECD Guidelines recommend that multinational enterprises act responsibly worldwide. They cover areas such as human and labour rights, the environment, the prevention of corruption and consumer interests. The Guidelines provide guidance on risk-based due diligence for enterprises and their supply chains. Practical guides support implementation.
Contact
Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate
Special Foreign Economic Service / International Investment and Corporate Sustainability
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern