In recent years, a number of innovative transnational normative instruments intended to address transnational business conduct have been developed and gained prominence. The one characteristic they have in common is that they are all “voluntary” -- i.e., they cannot be ratified and implemented by states as with conventional public international treaties, and they are not at first instance binding on businesses or other organizations. Beyond this similarity, however, there are considerable differences among them, in terms of how they were developed, their scope, how they operate, and their status, among other things. This talk explores the distinct positions these instruments occupy in the emerging social responsibility normative/transnational regulatory architecture, and some of their legal and extra-legal implications.
The seminar is open to all interested parties. Refreshments will be served. For questions, please contact Alla Pozdnakova (alla.pozdnakova@jus.uio.no).