Ethics and compliance

We conduct our business according to high ethical standards and we comply with related ethical laws, regulations and internal policies.

This includes upholding and demanding strong ethical principles in our relationships with customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees, competitors, government agencies and the communities in which we are present.

Ethics and compliance structures and programmes

Our Ethics and Compliance programme is based on the concept of ‘prevent-detect-respond’. Regular compliance risk assessments are carried out by the Corporate Ethics & Compliance Officer and team. 

We have a Group-wide compliance Helpline which allows employees to report suspected or actual misconduct or violations of the Company’s policies confidentially. As part of our Responsible Sourcing Policy we also have a mechanism that allows suppliers to bring grievances to our attention.

Vetting third-party agents and suppliers

Other compliance processes cover the way in which third-party agents and distributors are selected and engaged, and how global suppliers are procured. Dedicated corporate functions oversee and manage specific areas of operational compliance risk, whilst the Group Data Protection Officer oversees implementation of the Group Data Protection programme.

Ongoing training

We have training and monitoring programmes in place to ensure compliance with our ethical rules. Mandatory training on our Principles of Conduct is available online and offline in all major Company languages. Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 83% of all employees, including production workers, completed the last training session.

Robust and sustainable tax strategy

The Group adopts a long term tax strategy, with sustainability and compliance at the core, in full alignment with the organisational business structure and governance framework of the Group. As a company which operates in many different jurisdictions around the world, the Group respects its obligations under both international and domestic tax principles and laws. The tax operating model of the Group is fully aligned with the business structure and strives to create a robust and sustainable platform, which supports the achievement of the Group’s business objectives. The tax strategy of the Group is set forth in the Tax Policy.

29/03/2024