Page 61 - RAFI_ESG_20230919_eng

APPENDIX 61

with a large number of people all over the world any influence from personal interests and rela-
coming into contact with our products every tionships.
day. As far as possible, we avoid risks, disad-
vantages, and hazards to the health and safety 2.2 Anti-corruption
of our customers and end users as well as to Corruption is defined as the misuse of decisi-
the environment resulting from the use of our on-making authority or influence entrusted to
products. We comply with the standards and le- an individual in the public or private sector so
gal and regulatory requirements applicable to all that the individual gains a (private) advantage
our products and services, for example the re- or benefit. Corruption is always a serious offen-
quirements of REACH, RoHS, and the Dodd- se, as it can in particular lead to decisions
Frank Act, as well as product safety standards, made on improper grounds that are contrary to
labeling requirements, and packaging guideli- the company’s interests. Our employees are
nes. We also implement responsible and effec- strictly prohibited from engaging in corruption
tive management of chemicals. in any form. Employees may neither grant nor
accept bribes, kickbacks, improper donations,
1.5 Occupational health and safety and wor or other improper payments or benefits to or
king hours from customers, public officials, or other third
RAFI is committed to compliance with all appli- parties. The company does not tolerate contri-
cable regulations for the occupational health butions or benefits to or from third parties out-
and safety of its employees. We ensure that side the legally established limits.
personal protective equipment is used as inten-
ded, that safety is guaranteed in the handling of 2.3 Gifts, hospitality, and entertainment
machinery, that ergonomic principles are ap- To exclude conflicts of interest, RAFI emplo-
plied in the workplace, and that fire safety requi- yees are not permitted to directly or indirectly
rements are complied with and implemented. accept benefits that are outside a reasonable
We continually nurture and maintain the health, scope appropriate to the situation and/or legal
performance, and associated personal satisfac- framework. Our suppliers and business part-
tion of our employees by improving working ners therefore refrain from giving our emplo-
conditions and processes as well as by imple- yees gifts, hospitality, and/or invitations to
menting a wide range of health and safety initia- events. Our employees must internally report
tives. In regard to working hours, we comply offers of inappropriate benefits from suppliers
with all applicable national statutory regulations and/or business partners.
and provisions agreed in collective bargaining.
2.4 Relations with public institutions
1.6 Minimum wage RAFI strictly complies with all applicable legal
Employee remuneration should ensure a stan- requirements in regard to any relationships
dard of living that is customary in the specific with government representatives, authorities,
location. We ensure such appropriate pay for and public institutions. For public tenders, the
our employees. Their remuneration must ne- applicable legal requirements and the rules of
ver be below the minimum required by law. free and fair competition must be observed wi-
thout fail. If a (potential) business partner is ex-
2. Corporate responsibility cluded from public tenders, this must be repor-
Corporate responsibility in the daily actions of a ted to RAFI before a contract is awarded.
company’s employees arises from the obligation
to comply with legal requirements and to behave 2.5 Business partners that act as interme-
responsibly in regard to the environment and soci- diaries or representatives
ety. The principles we follow are based in particu- We must be informed in advance if external
lar on honesty, integrity, transparency, fairness, consultants, particularly those that act as inter-
and respect. mediaries or representatives, are engaged by
RAFI business partners for the purpose of initi-
2.1 Conflicts of interest ating or handling a business relationship. The
Conflicts of interest arise when private interests applicable statutory provisions must be obser-
are at odds with the interests of the company. ved without fail in all cases. Our business part-
In this context, it is detrimental to the company ners must ensure in particular that any remune-
if personal interests are placed above those of a ration paid to consultants is not misused as a
company with which RAFI conducts a contrac- means of corruption and that such remunerati-
tual relationship. To the greatest possible ex- on is paid exclusively for consulting and media-
tent, RAFI avoids any conflicts between perso- tion services that have been actually and de-
nal and business interests. Our employees are monstrably rendered. A key characteristic
therefore obliged to make decisions exclusively indicating this is an appropriate relationship
on the basis of objective criteria and without between the remuneration to be paid and the
service or work to be performed.