The OECD has a tangible impact on the private sector, because it:

• sets global standards and principles including through more than 250 legal instruments in force;
• promotes evidence-based policy recommendations by promoting policy agendas that have direct impact on our business environment and competitiveness;
• provides market data, information, and strategic foresight by analysing long-term trends and economic risks that impact our economies;
• facilitates dialogue and stakeholder engagement by providing a platform for exchanges through over 300 of the OECD’s specialised Committees, Working Parties and Expert Groups;
• supports global governance through close cooperation with key fora, including the WTO, the UN, or the G7 and G20 for which the OECD implements key mandates. 

The OECD cooperates closely with international organisations, such as the WTO, ILO, UN, WCO, WIPO. In this context, several features give the OECD a distinct profile:

• Like-mindedness: The OECD is a forum for “like-minded” countries committed to market-based democracy.
• Whole-of-government view: The OECD covers policy-making across all major policy areas that affect the private sector, allowing the OECD to pinpoint coordination challenges across Ministries.
• Evidence-based work: the OECD exchanges generally benefit from strong evidence, fact-based analysis and data, and the OECD’s unique knowledge infrastructure.
• Stakeholder collaboration: The OECD has an institutionally enshrined relationship with the private sector and trade unions. Business at OECD (BIAC) has been the voice of the private sector since 1962.