OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (2023 Update) OECDMNE-7: Consumer Interests, Science Technology Innovation, Competition, Taxation

Adhere to OECD MNE Guidelines Chapter VIII (Consumer Interests) + Chapter IX (Science + Technology + Innovation) + Chapter X (Competition) + Chapter XI (Taxation). Consumer Interests requires MNEs to (a) act in accordance with fair business + marketing + and advertising practices + take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and quality of the goods and services they provide + (b) provide accurate + verifiable + clear + sufficient + and accessible information to enable consumers to make informed decisions + (c) provide consumers with access to fair + easy to use + timely + and effective non-judicial dispute resolution and redress mechanisms + (d) cooperate with public authorities to prevent and combat deceptive marketing practices + (e) respect consumer privacy and protect personal data per applicable law. Science + Technology + Innovation requires MNEs to (a) endeavour to ensure that their activities are compatible with the science and technology policies and plans of the countries in which they operate + (b) adopt practices that permit the transfer and rapid diffusion of technologies and know-how + (c) perform science and technology development work in host countries to address local market needs + (d) when granting licenses for the use of intellectual property rights or otherwise transferring technology do so on reasonable terms and conditions. Competition requires MNEs to (a) refrain from entering into or carrying out anti-competitive agreements + (b) conduct activities in a manner consistent with all applicable competition laws and regulations + (c) cooperate with investigating competition authorities. Taxation requires MNEs to (a) contribute to the public finances of host countries by making timely payment of their tax liabilities + (b) comply with both the letter and the spirit of the tax laws and regulations + (c) conform to arms length pricing principles for related-party transactions, (d) treat tax governance and tax compliance as important elements of broader risk management systems.