About us
We promote and uphold responsible and sustainable business practices.
Who we are
The Office for Responsible Business Conduct (ORBC) was launched in 2025 as part of the UK’s Trade Strategy.
Formerly known as the UK National Contact Point (UK NCP), ORBC leads the UK government’s work on promoting responsible business practices.
Our vision is to help businesses be a force for good – driving inclusive growth, free from human rights abuses, labour exploitation and environmental harm.
We promote and uphold responsible and sustainable business practices – supporting business access to overseas markets, de-risking supply chains and ensuring a level playing field.
We do this through promoting international standards, developing evidence-based policies, forging strategic partnerships and providing dispute resolution services.
OECD Guidelines
A key aspect of our work is promoting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct.
The OECD Guidelines were established in 1976 as part of the OECD Investment Declaration.
The Guidelines aim to encourage positive contributions enterprises can make to economic, environmental and social progress, and to minimise adverse impacts on matters covered by the Guidelines.
They are designed for all types of multinational enterprises, large and small, and cover topics including disclosure, human rights, employment, environment, combating bribery, consumer interests and taxation.
Dispute resolution
We also provide a non-judicial grievance mechanism for alleged breaches of the Guidelines.
Cases can be filed by any interested party, such as affected communities, employees, trade unions, or non-government organisations.
When cases are accepted, we provide free professional mediation services to both parties. Should the parties fail to reach an agreement, we conduct a robust investigation of the case and, where warranted, deliver specific, actionable recommendations designed to align the company’s conduct with the Guidelines.