Code of Conduct for Ethical Business Culture

HORISEN aspires to act with integrity by ensuring that decisions we make are responsible and ethical.

HORISEN makes best efforts to do business in an ethical and proper manner and to expect its business partners to behave in the same way.

HORISEN believes that the requirements in this Code of Conduct are the way toward a successful collaboration and trusts that aligning expectations and requirements ensures effectiveness, mutual value creation and positive societal development.

HORISEN uses this Code of Conduct as a guide to make the best ethical decisions related to its work, and to know what to do in cases where it may be uncertain how to act.

HORISEN and its Partners (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually to as the “Party”) will in their collaboration maintain high ethical standards and conduct business in a responsible way, in a moral and honest manner.

The Parties agree in their collaboration to accept and follow this Code of Conduct.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Parties commit to respect human rights within its business operations. All employees shall be treated with respect and dignity and are entitled to fundamental human rights. In relation therewith, subject to applicable national laws and regulations which may require higher standards than those set forth below (in which case such standard shall apply), each Party shall:

  • Policy and due diligence

    • take appropriate steps to avoid, minimize and/or reduce any potential or actual adverse human right impacts.

  • Freedom of expression and privacy

    • provide that products and business processes respect the human rights aspects of privacy and freedom of expression;
    • not to obstruct or interfere with freedom of expression or privacy rights, nor retaliate against;
    • respect the privacy rights of employees, customers and other stakeholders whenever it gathers personal data.

  • Diversity and non-discrimination and anti-harassment

    • promote diversity and equal opportunities for all employees.
    • have zero tolerance toward discrimination in hiring and any other employment practices on diverse characteristics;
    • not tolerate nor support nor promote any form of psychological, physical, sexual or verbal abuse, intimidation, threat or harassment;
    • to commit to maintaining a workplace free from illegal discrimination or harassment, bullying, mobbing, or retaliation;
    • to embrace and encourage different perspectives;
    • to respect and comply with all laws providing equal opportunity to individuals without regard to race, colour, religious belief, political belief, nationality, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, national origin, disability, marital status, citizenship status, nationality, disability, union affiliation, and any other protected category under applicable law.

LABOR RIGHTS

Aligned with ILO’s International Labour Standards, Parties commit to uphold decent labour standards and provide a work environment for its employees to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity. In relation therewith, subject to applicable national laws and regulations which may require higher standards than those set forth below (in which case such standard shall apply), each Party shall:

  • Employment agreement

    • shall make sure that pay and terms are fair and reasonable and comply at a minimum with national laws;
    • provide individual or collective employment agreements in writing which have clear terms and conditions, specifying but not limited to working hours, overtime compensation, job description, notice period, salary and frequency of payment;
    • ensure that employees are fully informed about their employment conditions and rights.

  • Working hours

    • appoint a normal workweek as not exceeding the maximum set by local law;
    • ensure that employees do not work overtime on regular basis and that overtime is voluntary and does not exceed number of hours regulated in collective bargaining agreements;
    • provide employees at least one day off in every seven-day period, leave periods and time off for legally recognized holidays.

  • Wages

    • secure all employees, a living wage, sufficient to meet the basic needs of employees;
    • compensation paid to workers shall comply with all applicable wage laws, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime hours and legally mandated benefits. In compliance with local laws, workers shall be compensated for overtime at pay rates greater than regular hourly rates;
    • provide to all employees timely payment and clear information related to their wages and benefits for each pay period.

  • Child labour

    • follow United Nations Convention on rights of the Child;
    • define anyone under the age of 18 to be a child being understood that children under the minimum legal working age in the relevant territory, are strictly forbidden to be used in any phase of business operations;
    • have in place processes and remediation procedures, with the child´s best in mind, in case of an encounter of a child working in conditions conflicting with these requirements.

  • Forced labour / Modern Slavery

    • take active measures to ensure no use of any form of slave, forced, bonded or indentured labour, or human trafficking, in any phase of business operations;
    • not restrict employees to move freely or to leave the premises after completing their working hours;
    • acknowledge employees’ right to terminate their employment provided that they give reasonable notice.

  • Health and Safety

    Party shall be committed to providing a safe working environment for its employees in accordance with internationally recognized standards. Party commits to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace for its employees, visitors, contractors and any subcontractors working on its behalf. In relation therewith, subject to applicable national laws and regulations which may require higher standards than those set forth below (in which case such standard shall apply), Party shall:

    • maintain a health and safety management system, based on continuous improvement, relevant to the scope and nature of the business and risks related to the business operations;
    • address workplace hazards and risks through sufficient and relevant control measures such as appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as prevention and protection devices;
    • regularly train employees on emergency planning, responsiveness as well as medical care;
    • ensure that work Workplace conditions premises are clean, well lit, and fit for the purpose.

ENVIRONMENT

Party is committed to acting responsibly with respect to the protection and preservation of the environment, and it is committed to complying with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

The Party commits to operate in an environmentally responsible and efficient manner. In relation therewith, subject to applicable national laws and regulations which may require higher standards than those set forth below (in which case such standard shall apply), Party shall:

  • act in accordance with relevant local and internationally recognized environmental standards, and also follow local laws and regulations;
  • take measurements to reduce waste and cover approved disposal techniques protecting the environment;
  • assess the environmental impact of its business operations from a life cycle perspective, including means of assembly and end of life treatment where relevant.

ETHICS

To meet social responsibilities and to achieve success in the marketplace, Parties are to uphold the highest standards of ethics including:

  • Business Integrity

    • support the highest standards of integrity in all business interactions;
    • have a zero-tolerance policy to prohibit any and all forms of bribery, corruption, extortion and fraud;
    • transparently perform and accurately reflect all business dealings on Party’s business books and records;
    • implement the monitoring and enforcement procedures to ensure compliance with anti-corruption laws.

  • No Improper Advantage

    • not to promise, offer, authorize, give or accept the bribes or other means of obtaining undue or improper advantage. This prohibition covers promising, offering, authorizing, giving or accepting anything of value, either directly or indirectly through a third party, in order to obtain or retain business, direct business to any person, or otherwise gain an improper advantage.

  • Disclosure of Information

    • disclose information regarding Party’s labour, health and safety, environmental practices, business activities, structure, financial situation and performance in accordance with applicable regulations and prevailing industry practices.

  • Intellectual Property

    • respect intellectual property rights;
    • transfer of technology and knowhow in a manner that protects intellectual property rights and secure customer information.

  • Fair Business, Advertising and Competition

    • support standards of fair business, advertising and competition.

  • Protection of Identity and Non-Retaliation

    • maintain programs that ensure the confidentiality, anonymity and protection of supplier and employee whistle-blowers, unless prohibited by law;
    • Have a communicated process for their personnel to be able to raise any concerns without fear of retaliation.

  • Privacy

    • commit to protecting the reasonable privacy expectations of personal information of everyone they do business with, including suppliers, customers, consumers and employees;
    • comply with privacy and information security laws and regulatory requirements when personal information is collected, stored, processed, transmitted and shared.