In 2020, the Azerbaijan Investment Holding (AIH) was established to professionalise and improve the governance and performance of Azerbaijan’s key state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This review describes and assesses the corporate governance framework of AIH and its portfolio companies against the OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-owned Enterprises. It makes recommendations to help the Azerbaijani authorities reform their state-owned sector and align the exercise of state ownership and the governance of SOEs with international best practices.

Cross-border data flows are the lifeblood of today’s social and economic interactions, but they also raise a range of new challenges, including for privacy and data protection, national security, cybersecurity, digital protectionism and regulatory reach. This has led to a surge in regulation conditioning (or prohibiting) its flow or mandating that data be stored or processed domestically (data localisation). However, the economic implications of these measures are not well understood. This report provides estimates on what is at stake, highlighting that full fragmentation could reduce global GDP by 4.5%. It also underscores the benefits associated with open regimes with safeguards which could see global GDP increase by 1.7%. In a world where digital fragmentation is growing, global discussions on these issues can help harness the benefits of an open and safeguarded internet.

Le Manuel sur la neutralité concurrentielle présente un ensemble de bonnes pratiques, fondées sur des exemples tirés de l'expérience de divers pays, dans le but d’aider les agents publics à repérer et à réduire des distorsions de la concurrence induites par une intervention de l’État. Il a pour objet d’accompagner la mise en œuvre des principes énoncés dans la Recommandation du Conseil de l'OCDE sur la neutralité concurrentielle visant à promouvoir l’équité des conditions de concurrence, et porte sur les principaux thèmes de la Recommandation : le droit de la concurrence et son application, l'environnement réglementaire, les marchés publics, les aides publiques et les compensations pour obligations de service public.

Talent shortages in the tech sector pose significant challenges for firms, workers and governments, hindering productivity, innovation, job satisfaction and economic growth. To address these shortages, this report emphasises the importance of a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder strategy based on innovative policy actions. This includes adopting skills-first approaches to hiring, which prioritise specific skills over traditional qualifications, expanding talent pools and enabling employers to adapt more dynamically to evolving technological demands. Additionally, the promotion of micro-credentials is highlighted as a crucial tool for facilitating rapid skill development tailored to current industry needs, thereby supporting continuous learning and workforce agility. Furthermore, fostering inclusivity in the tech sector is essential. The report advocates for inclusive initiatives that broaden the talent pool by addressing barriers faced by under-represented groups, including women, minorities, youth and migrants. The report emphasises that successful implementation of these strategies requires robust collaboration among governments, education and training institutions, and the private sector. It draws on exemplary practices from various OECD countries to illustrate effective approaches to fostering such collaboration, ensuring sustainable solutions to alleviate talent shortages in the tech sector globally.

The objective of the Integrated Approaches for Testing and Assessment (IATA) Case Studies Project is to increase experience with the use of IATA by developing case studies which constitute examples of predictions that are fit for regulatory use. The aim of this project is to create common understanding of using novel methodologies and the generation of considerations/guidance stemming from these case studies. This case study was developed by the International Council on Animal Protection in OECD Programmes (ICAPO) to illustrate practical uses of IATA, and was submitted to the 2023 review cycle of the IATA Case Studies Project. The case study provides a framework to fulfil an IATA for chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity assessment through a weight of evidence (WoE)-based approach, in the absence of rodent cancer bioassays. The purpose of this IATA is to illustrate the use of the Rethinking Carcinogenicity Assessment for Agrichemicals Project (ReCAAP) framework, which is a scientific, WoE-based approach that allows the estimation of a Point of Departure (POD) for use in agrochemical risk assessment. To illustrate the use of the ReCAAP framework, two examples are presented in this IATA.

The report relates to discussions held on operational and financial aspects of test methods validation under the OECD Test Guidelines Programme. The workshop was organised in the context of a broader discussion on building confidence of regulatory bodies and modernising the validation process for new and emerging chemical safety testing methods and approaches. In this workshop, attention was raised on the need for increased public funding for validation activities, including independent peer review, and the need to make existing validation resources and know-how better known to method developers to facilitate the organisation of validation activities.

This document contains the Performance Standards (PS) for the assessment of proposed in vitro assays, similar to the in vitro Epidermal Sensitisation Assay (EpiSensA), or modified. The EpiSensA is an in vitro method for identifying the skin sensitisation potential of chemicals. The EpiSensA method has been included in Test Guideline 442D, upon a proposal from Japan, reviewed, consolidated and finally approved by the Working Party of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme. This was a project on the work plan of the Test Guidelines Programme until 2024.

This document presents the design and the results of a validation exercise for the short-term Juvenile Hormone Activity Screening Assay (JHASA) using Daphnia magna, organised by Japan. This method was developed to detect the potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with juvenile hormone activity. The project was on the Test Guidelines Programme work plan since 2016 and until 2024.

This document encloses the Peer Review Report (PRR) of the validation study for OptiSafeTM Eye Irritation Test (EIT) for its inclusion in OECD Test Guideline 496 on In Vitro Macromolecular Test Methods. The OptiSafeTM EIT is validated for identifying chemicals that do not require classification for eye damage. The project was on the Test Guidelines Programme work plan until 2024.

This document contains the validation report of the IL-2 Luc LTT assay on in vitro immunotoxicity, prepared by Japan in 2023. This was a project on the work plan of the Test Guidelines Programme until 2024.

This document contains a Guidance Document (GD) on Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) for Phototoxicity Testing, originally developed by Japan, reviewed, consolidated and finally approved by the Working Party of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme. This document provides an overview and key characteristics of each individual information source available for phototoxicity testing, and their use within the IATA. The project was on the Test Guidelines Programme work plan until 2024.

This document describes the design and results of the validation exercise for the Rapid Estrogen ACTivity In Vivo (REACTIV) Assay, organised by France and the United Kingdom. This method was developed for the detection of estrogen axis active substances. The project was on the Test Guidelines Programme work plan until 2024.

This document contains the report of the peer review organised by Japan for the validation of the IL-2 Luc LTT assay on in vitro immunotoxicity, a project on the work plan of the Test Guidelines Programme until 2024.

This document contains the validation report of the H. azteca bioconcentration test (HYBIT), prepared by Germany in 2023 and approved as Test Guideline 321 by the Working Party of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme. This was a project on the work plan of the Test Guidelines Programme until 2024.

This VITARA Reference Guide on Human Resource Management provides a good introduction into what human resource management (HRM) is, how it contributes to a tax administration’s performance, and how it is organized. It looks at some of the key areas of an effective HRM function and explores why they are important. The reference guide includes materials that are designed to cover good practices in the key areas of HRM. These good practices have helped to support tax administrations in the effective management of their human resources. Following the introduction, the reference guide is organized into six chapters highlighting HRM in a tax administration, the importance of HRM strategy, the organization of the HRM function, careers in a tax administration, the key areas of effective HRM, and the relevance of learning and development (L&D).

Children can be more vulnerable than adults to environmental hazards, such as those presented by chemicals, due to their physiological differences and unique behaviour. Risk assessment methodologies that specifically consider children are required to ensure that potential risks are addressed. The purpose of this document is to compile parameters and algorithms for estimating children’s exposure to crafts and toys via the dermal, inhalation, and oral routes, with a focus on published guidance or approaches used by regulatory bodies. Key sources of information include publications and guidance from various international regulatory agencies, as well as peer-reviewed studies and reviews of parameters and algorithms for exposure to children’s crafts and toys. Examples of parameters, including considerations for selecting appropriate age groups, and algorithms are provided in detail for each product category and route (dermal, inhalation, and oral).

Industrial facilities have a significant impact on the environment due to their use of large amounts of raw materials and energy, resulting in the release of pollutants into the air, water and soil. These facilities are obligated to adhere to various regulatory requirements, including emission levels and environmental quality objectives at the local level. This report provides a cross-country analysis of Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) for three industrial sectors: iron and steel, paper and pulp, and waste incineration. It examines six BREFs from different countries and organisations, such as China, India, South Korea, the US, the EU, and the World Bank. The information gathered from various jurisdictions may help and support countries in developing sector-specific BREFs. Furthermore, this comparative analysis can identify areas for potential harmonisation between countries and highlight aspects of the BREFs that may require expansion or updating to better address environmental impact considerations.

This OECD Report to G20 Digital Economy Ministers presents practical examples from G20 members on data access and sharing, both across the public sector and between the public and private sectors in the public interest. The report supports G20 discussions on common opportunities, enablers and challenges to strengthen data access and sharing in the public sector, as well countries’ efforts and priorities in this policy area. It has been prepared by the OECD for the Brazilian G20 Presidency in co-ordination with the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services, to inform the G20 Digital Economy Working Group at its September 2024 meeting.

This report presents a synthesis of publicly available information on perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs), with the aim of elucidating the identities of PFPEs on the global market and analysing their life cycle. This includes their production and use, presence of other PFASs as impurities in commercial formulations, degradation mechanisms, and environmental releases of PFPEs and other PFASs present in commercial formulations.