The OECD Principles of Corporate Governance

The OECD Principles of Corporate Governance were endorsed by OECD Ministers in 1999. It is an international benchmark for policy makers, investors, corporations, and other stakeholders worldwide.

The Principles are intended to assist OECD and non-OECD governments in their efforts to evaluate and improve the legal, institutional, and regulatory framework for corporate governance in their countries. It also aims to provide guidance and suggestions for stock exchanges, investors, corporations, and other parties that have a role in the process of developing good corporate governance. The Principles focus on publicly traded companies, both financial and non-financial. However, to the extent they are deemed applicable, they might also be a useful tool to improve corporate governance in non-traded companies, for example, privately held and state owned enterprises.