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GRI 415: Public Policy 2016

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 JULY 2018

Introduction​

GRI 415: Public Policy 2016 contains disclosures for organizations to report information about their public policy-related impacts, and how they manage these impacts. The Standard is structured as follows:

  • Section 1 contains a requirement, which provides information about how the organization manages its public policy-related impacts.
  • Section 2 contains two disclosures, which provides information about the organization’s public policy-related impacts.
  • The Glossary contains defined terms with a specific meaning when used in the GRI Standards. The terms are underlined in the text of the GRI Standards and linked to the definitions.
  • The Biblogrpahy lists authoritative intergovernmental instruments used in developing this Standard.

Background on the topic​

This Standard addresses the topic of public policy. This includes an organization’s participation in the development of public policy, through activities such as lobbying and making financial or in-kind contributions to political parties, politicians, or causes.

While an organization can positively support the public political process and encourage the development of public policy that benefits society at large, this can also bring risks associated with corruption, bribery, and undue influence, among others.

These concepts are covered in key instruments of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: see the Bibliography.

1. Topic management disclosures​

An organization reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards is required to report how it manages each of its material topics.

An organization that has determined public policy to be a material topic is required to report how it manages the topic using Disclosure 3-3 in GRI 3: Material Topics 2021 (see clause 1.1 in this section).

This section is therefore designed to supplement – and not replace – Disclosure 3-3 in GRI 3.

REQUIREMENTS​

  • 1.1 The reporting organization shall report how it manages public policy using Disclosure 3-3 in GRI 3: Material Topics 2021.​

RECOMMENDATIONS​

  • 1.2 The reporting organization should report:
    • 1.2.1 the significant issues that are the focus of its participation in public policy development and lobbying;
    • 1.2.2 its stance on these issues, and any differences between its lobbying positions and any stated policies, goals, or other public positions.

2. Topic disclosures​

Disclosure 415-1 Political contributions​

REQUIREMENTS​

The reporting organization shall report the following information:

  • a. Total monetary value of financial and in-kind political contributions made directly and indirectly by the organization by country and recipient/beneficiary.​

  • b. If applicable, how the monetary value of in-kind contributions was estimated.​

  • 2.1 When compiling the information specified in Disclosure 415-1, the reporting organization shall calculate financial political contributions in compliance with national accounting rules, where these exist.

Guidance​

Background
The purpose of this disclosure is to identify an organization’s support for political causes. This disclosure can provide an indication of the extent to which an organization’s political contributions are in line with its stated policies, goals, or other public positions.

Direct or indirect contributions to political causes can also present corruption risks, because they can be used to exert undue influence on the political process. Many countries have legislation that limits the amount an organization can spend on political parties and candidates for campaigning purposes. If an organization channels contributions indirectly through intermediaries, such as lobbyists or organizations linked to political causes, it can improperly circumvent such legislation.

Bibliography​

This section lists authoritative intergovernmental instruments used in developing this Standard.

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 2011.
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles, ‘G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance’, 2015.
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Recommendation, ‘Recommendation of the Council on Principles for Transparency and Integrity in Lobbying’, 2010.