The purpose of the rules below is not to replace or to adapt the laws and regulations in force. The object is to provide some guidelines, and means of appraisal, to each member of staff for the performance of his or her activities.
Article I . Law abidance
The companies and their staff abide by the economic, commercial and tax laws and regulations applicable to their activities, which may be sometimes difficult to understand. In the event of queries, staff should immediately contact their line managers or legal department.
Article II . Labour legislation
The companies and their staff observe the labour laws and regulations in force in the countries where they perform their activities. Moreover, they ensure that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) legislation is adhered to, in particular by their trading partners.
Article III . Occupational health and safety
The companies and their staff take the necessary steps in order to ensure the safety and to protect the physical and mental health of those working on their premises. Such measures include the prevention of occupational hazards, information and training in addition to the establishment of an appropriate organisation and resources for this purpose. They ensure that such measures are adapted to changes in circumstances and they strive to improve the existing situation.
Moreover, both companies and staff undertake to conform with the international standards and
regulations in force in order to guarantee product efficacy and safety of use.
Article IV . Environment
The companies and their staff are directly concerned by the observance of any
standards and legislation relating to the environment. They undertake to
apply the relevant rules and to promote a spirit of sustainable development
within the scope of the economic, commercial and productive evolution of the
companies.
Article V . Codes of economic practice
The companies and their staff undertake to produce financial statements,
which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs, in accordance with
practices of transparency.
Article VI . Equality of rights
The rule of conduct of the companies is to ensure equal opportunities for all their employees by abstaining from any discrimination whatsoever. Recruitment and promotion are conducted solely on a basis of professional qualifications. The companies assure that the private, religious and political lives of each employee are respected. They also endeavour to keep in mind the self-development of their employees in the work context.
Article VII . Free competition
The companies undertake to market their products with an attitude of fair trading and to abstain from any practice leading to discrimination or abuse. The principle of fair trading should be applied both to suppliers and to customers.
Article VIII . Personal integrity
Each member of staff shall conform with current regulations and maintain a sense of integrity. Employees should never be in state of dependency due to gifts or benefits of any kind, in particular from suppliers. Employees should be careful not to accept any gifts or benefits whatsoever, which are higher in value than the customary professional practice, without the prior agreement of the senior management. Likewise, it is not authorised to propose or to grant gifts or benefits of a value exceeding customary professional practice, in order to obtain a contract. Members of staff shall not adopt lenient behaviour as regards corruption, whether active or passive. Likewise, there should be no conflict of interest whatsoever between paid activities conducted by
employees outside the company and their duties within the companies. Taking direct or indirect interests in suppliers of goods and services or speculation, by making use of resources – made available to employees by the companies – for private purposes, are strictly prohibited. Selection of service-providers should be carried out in a fully transparent and objective manner.
Article IX . Personal development and well-being of employees
The companies and their staff undertake to apply a policy whereby an attentive atmosphere is created and the action of the company is conducive to the social and cultural well-being and development of all the employees.
Article X . Obligation of secrecy
Each employee shall keep the strictest secrecy as regards any information of which he or she may have been made aware while under employment contract with the company. Members of staff shall not transmit, use or authorise the use of confidential information for any reason whatsoever other than the performance, in all good faith, of his/her duties or activities within the companies.