Sustainable Business Conduct
Business Ethics and Compliance
Clear rules are required for all employees and for all independent and exclusive sales partners working for us in order to prevent breaches of the law and reputational damage. At the same time, our business ethics have a positive social impact based on strong ethical principles and a robust compliance framework.
Our compliance management system ensures compliance with legal, regulatory and internal rules. It encompasses the activities of the Group's compliance units and those within the country markets and the associated compliance governance.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct is an expression of our corporate responsibility and corporate culture. It contains the fundamental ethical principles and behaviour that we expect from our employees in the performance of their duties. It thus forms the regulatory foundation for compliance with regulations and ethical standards regarding employee behaviour. At the same time, it defines how we correctly consider sustainability factors in our day-to-day business behaviour from all points of view. The Code of Conduct is binding for all business units of the Helvetia Group in Switzerland and abroad and is applicable to all areas of activity.
Vendor Code of Conduct
Helvetia has drawn up a "Vendor Code of Conduct" to make it clear and transparent to our suppliers what is expected of them when working with us. It covers behaviour-relevant topics regarding cooperation with suppliers and is based on our Group-wide purchasing policy, in which sustainability is defined as a key criterion for the assessment of suppliers and purchases. The Vendor Code of Conduct is especially based on the principles of the UN Global Compact, which we have committed to implementing. It sets out standards for the protection of the environment and human rights, compliance with decent working conditions and the fight against corruption. The prevention of discrimination, compliance with antitrust law and respect for sanctions are also part of our Group-wide rules of conduct in purchasing.
«Responsible behaviour is therefore essential if Helvetia's good reputation is to be repeatedly confirmed.»
Corporate Security
Two important focal points for the realisation of a Sustainable Business Conduct are ensuring Corporate Security and Data Protection. We describe the approach to both focal points in the flyer "Sustainable Security & Data Protection Approach".
With our concept of integral security, we adopt a proactive, holistic approach to protecting our assets, including customer relationships, against cyber threats, maintain compliance with laws and regulations and ensure the continuity of business.
Our best practices for ensuring corporate security include regular checks and controls, continuous security training and modern information technology. The flyer "Building trust with corporate security" describes in detail our Group's corporate security framework along the model "Three Lines of Defence".