TI Germany accused the companies of violating the OECD Guidelines for Multinationals that set social, environmental and anti-corruption standards for multinational enterprises. This marks the first time that a government in any of the 39 countries adhering to the Guidelines has been asked to take action against companies originated in their territories for charges of corruption in the Oil for Food programme under the OECD Guidelines for Multinationals.

TI’s complaint is based on the report’s findings (published in 2005) that presented detailed financial evidence of the kickbacks (illicit or disguised payments) paid by international companies to gain contracts to supply food, medicines and other humanitarian goods to Iraq. Between 1999 and 2002 the former regime of Saddam Hussein collected US $1.8 billion in kickbacks from companies, distorting a programme designed to ease the suffering of ordinary Iraqis under UN sanctions.