The OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines remain the global foundation for responsible business conduct in 2025, and Factlines’ Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) software is built to support them. From transparency requirements in the Norwegian Transparency Act (åpenhetsloven) to risk management under the CSDDD, the six steps outlined by the OECD are central to most supply chain laws.
Even with the EU Omnibus proposal aiming to simplify some reporting requirements, the OECD’s risk-based due diligence model remains unchanged. It’s still the reference point for laws, policies, and investor expectations. Here’s how the OECD framework works, and how Factlines helps you apply it at scale.
What are the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct?
The OECD Guidelines outline how companies manage ESG risks globally. This includes expectations for both own operations and all tiers of the supply chain. The guidelines form the backbone of multiple global frameworks, including:
- åpenhetsloven (The Norwegian Transparency Act)
- CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive)
- EU Taxonomy’s Minimum Safeguards
- SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation)
- UNGPs (UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights)
At the centre of it all is the OECD’s 6-step due diligence cycle, adopted by governments, investors, and businesses worldwide.
How Factlines support the OECD due diligence cycle
1. Embed Responsible Business Conduct in policies and management systems
Factlines provides templates, SAQs, and workflows to set expectations with suppliers.
2. Identify and assess adverse impacts
Map your full supply chain – not just Tier 1. With Chain Survey 2.0, Factlines helps you get visibility across all tiers using survey logic, filters, and targeted follow-ups. Risk scoring and analytics help you prioritise.
3. Cease, prevent or mitigate
Flagged issues trigger built-in follow-up. With Factlines you can assign responsibility, track actions, and ensure remediation across your supplier network. A real-time dashboard keeps you in control.
4. Track implementation and results
Factlines stores all actions and survey results in one audit-ready platform. You can track progress, evaluate supplier response quality, and access documentation when needed.
5. Communicate
Use dashboards and export reports for regulators and boards. All responses are documented and timestamped in Factlines.
6. Provide for or cooperate in remediation
Use Factlines to record grievances, actions, and improvements with audit-ready documentation.
Why due diligence matters in 2025
Due diligence is no longer optional, and many many countries are moving from guidance to enforcement:
- The CSDDD was approved in March 2024 and comes into effect for large companies from 2024–2027 depending on size
- The Norwegian Transparency Act has already seen its first enforcement case in 2024
- EU Omnibus proposal may delay or simplify certain parts of CSRD and CSDDD – but due diligence obligations are unchanged
Due diligence is still expected. Investor pressure, procurement standards, and board-level risk frameworks continue to demand OECD-aligned processes, especially in high-risk sectors or when accessing EU funding or tenders.
Choose a platform built for due diligence
OECD-aligned doesn’t mean generic. You need a solution that reflects how due diligence actually works, from stakeholder expectations to risk scoring, supplier responses, and audit-ready reporting. Factlines SRM software saves time and reduces uncertainty. From mapping your suppliers to automated ESG reporting, Factlines helps you apply due diligence where it matters. Avoid inefficient spreadsheets and box-ticking exercises. Choose software that is aligned with how the world defines responsible business in 2025.
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