Responsible business conduct (RBC)

Published by:

Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO

Checked 30 Aug 2023

2 min read

Responsible business conduct (RBC) or corporate social responsibility (CSR) means taking responsibility for the impact of your business operation on people, the environment and society. You make sure your business does not have a negative impact. With RBC, you address or prevent poor working conditions, environmental pollution, and poverty. If you do business internationally, the government expects you to follow the OECD guidelines.

Some examples of RBC are:

You pay extra attention to 'green' working conditions for your employees and contribute to making their homes more sustainable.
When buying products and services you do not focus solely on price but mind the effects your purchasing has on people and the environment.
You involve the entire business chain or supply chain in which you operate in RBC (chain responsibility).
Your business practices are ethical. You do not abuse your power for instance through corruption (bribery or extortion).

RBC can benefit your company but RBC activities differ from one company to the other. This depends on the sector, size, and culture of the company and its business strategy.

OECD guidelines for RBC

Do you do business abroad? Then the Dutch government expects you to keep to the OECD guidelines. These are internationally recognised rules of conduct that help you deal properly with the environment, and issues such as human rights, child labour, and corruption. The OECD guidelines are mainly voluntary. However, the rule on corruption is mandatory. Corruption is a criminal offence in the Netherlands. This also applies in cases where corruption has been committed abroad.

The OECD guidelines contain the main regulations for RBC in the Netherlands and abroad. You can also find information and guidance on the website of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

National Contact Point OECD-guidelines (NCP)

The Dutch National Contact Point (NCP) offers you support to bring the OECD guidelines in practice. In addition, you can also report differences of opinion to the NCP about applying the OECD guidelines. The NCP will then act as an independent mediator.

RBC agreements

Many national and international customers, governments, and societal organisations expect companies to respect human rights and environmental standards. The government has Sustainable Public Procurement requirements to fulfil RBC requirements when purchasing goods or services from a company.

The government also has agreements with various Dutch business sectors and with societal organisations on International Responsible Business Conduct (International RBC). These agreements are laid down in RBC covenants.

Government support and RBC

Do you want to qualify for any subsidy or loan from the Dutch government when doing business abroad? Or do you want to join a trade mission? You must apply RBC in your business practices. You also have to demonstrate that you keep to the OECD guidelines.

Proof of RBC

Do you want to show that your company applies RBC rules? You can do this for example, by:

using a label, for example a quality trademark or logo
providing a performance comparison to show how well your company is doing with regard to RBC in your region or sector
providing a declaration, in which you or your staff declare your RBC commitments
drafting a sustainability report on your RBC activities
sending out publicity about your RBC activities