ISO 26000 on social responsibility FTC Conference Panel on OECD MNE

ISO 26000 on social responsibility FTC Conference Panel on OECD MNE Guidelines Gwenann Manseau Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce, U.S. Dept. of Commerce November 29, 2012

The “social responsibility” universe nal o i t a n r l /Inte Private bodies : I SO 2 6 000 corpor ate cod condu es of ct y: ciet o s l Civi s NGO s nion u r o La b ia dem a c A Govern me (manda ntal tory): Legal m and govt ag ates on encies Labor l aws Civil rig hts law s Environ mental laws enta m n r e Gov tary): n u l o (v iples c n i r P iding u s G eline UN d i u G MNE D t C OE mpac o C l loba (ILO) n UN G o i t a eclar D e t i t r Tripa International obligations under treaties, conventions: ILO UN Customary international law

ISO 26000 in brief International standard Provides guidance on social responsibility Meant to be applicable to all organizations Over 100 pages ISO Working Group made up of stakeholder groups

Compare to OECD MNE Guidelines Developed by private sector organization References and builds on international conventions and treaties Voluntary Can raise concerns for governments Trade issues Customary international law

Example: Section 6.7.5.2 in consumer issues To contribute to sustainable consumption, an organization, where appropriate, should: [ ] provid[e] consumers with information about products and services, including on: performance, impacts on health, country of origin, energy efficiency (where applicable), contents or ingredients (including, where appropriate, use of genetically modified organisms and nanoparticles), aspects related to animal welfare (including, where appropriate, use of animal testing) and safe use, maintenance, storage and disposal of the products and their packaging . What happens if a government makes this a mandatory requirement for all products and services?