Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationRegulation & International Instruments
Common Approaches
Definition
The Common Approaches is the OECD Recommendation governing how export credit agencies of member countries assess the environmental and social impacts of the projects they support. First adopted in 2001 (as a Council Recommendation in 2003) and repeatedly revised, most recently in 2024, it requires screening, categorisation (A/B) and review of impacts against international standards, monitored by the OECD Export Credits Group.
References
Overview
What it means
It prevents an environmental 'race to the bottom' among state-backed export finance.
How it is used
Export credit agencies apply it to transactions above defined thresholds (SDR 10 million for project-related support), with review and reporting obligations.
Why it matters
Export credits finance large infrastructure in high-risk contexts; the Common Approaches are the main multilateral discipline on that finance.