Hans Petter Graver to head new OECD National Contact Point

Professor Hans Petter Graver has been appointed head of the new Norwegian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “I am delighted that four such competent people have agreed to act as the contact point that will monitor Norwegian companies’ compliance with the OECD Guidelines.”

In addition to Professor Graver from the University of Oslo, the National Contact Point (NCP) will consist of Gro Granden, Special Adviser, LO (Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions); Jan Erik Korssjøen, former CEO, the Kongsberg group; and Elin Merete Myrmel-Johansen, Executive Vice-President, Storebrand.

In line with the white paper Corporate Social Responsibility in a Global Economy (Report No. 10 (2008–2009) to the Storting), the new NCP has a more independent position. It has also been allocated more resources, and a permanent secretariat of two persons will be established to look into and prepare cases.   

“Strengthening the National Contact Point and making it more independent is important for increasing the legitimacy of its evaluations and the statements it publishes,” said Mr Støre.

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises set out recommendations on CSR, for example in relation to human rights, labour standards, the environment and corruption. The NCP is not a judicial body; its role is to make statements, which are published, and to inform the general public about the Guidelines.

The members of the new NCP have been appointed on the basis of recommendations from the NHO, (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise), the LO (Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions) and the Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development. The head of the NCP was recommended and appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry jointly. He has been appointed for four years, and the other members for three years. All may be appointed for one additional period.