About us:

The Responsible Business Conduct Working Group (RBC WG) is an informal, cross-party group of Members of the European Parliament, who are interested in promoting and championing responsible business conduct and due diligence in business operations and in business relationships. The Working Group is a forum open to all interested MEPs from all committees and political groups. It is not an official body of the European Parliament.

Our purpose:

“There is increasing recognition that business, while playing an important role in the social and economic development of modern societies, can equally harm society, damage the environment and have negative impacts on human rights.”

Responsible business conduct is a concept that focuses on two aspects of the business-society relationship: addressing negative impacts related to a company’s operations, products or services and with and through their business relationships, including in the supply chain : and positive contribution businesses can make to sustainable development.

While many companies are increasingly incorporating social, human rights and environmental concerns into their strategies and operations, much remains to be done to end irresponsible corporate practices that harm society, damage the environment and have negative impacts on human rights. Public institutions, including the EU, play an important role in creating legislation and an environment where businesses and companies conduct their operations responsibly.

RBC Working Group promotes responsible business conduct within the European Union and beyond. It brings expertise to the European Parliament by fostering collaboration with experts and other stakeholders as well as among MEPs in different committees.

RBC Working Group facilitates exchanges of views by organising internal and public events and by engaging in regular discussion within the Parliament, and with other EU institutions, civil society organisations, private sector and other stakeholders on issues related to RBC.

RBC Working Group advocates for EU-wide systematic and effective measures to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, and for the purpose adopted in 2019 the Shadow EU Action Plan on the Implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights within the EU. This document has become a reference point to many of the RBC Working Group members in their work. Through its activities, the Working Group contributes to the timely and successful implementation of the 17 SDG’s of the UN 2030 Agenda.