Novozymes' commitment
Novozymes believes that corruption has a wide range of corrosive effects on society in general and on markets in particular. Consequently, we welcome the United Nations Convention against Corruption and support the 10th principle of working against corruption within the framework of the United Nations Global Compact, to which Novozymes is a signatory. Indeed, Novozymes remains confident that these universal frameworks will ensure the creation of a level playing field over time in the form of effective means to prevent and detect acts of corruption.
Novozymes' integrity measures
Novozymes operates on the basis of high integrity standards as defined by our Novozymes Touch values and commitments and our legal compliance program, and there is solid adherence to the principle of always complying with laws and regulations.
Novozymes' integrity measures have not been devised to correct bad behaviour, but to further stipulate and institutionalise our values of accountability, responsibility and openness and honesty. Thus, our integrity measures first of all constitute clarifications and elaborations on our legal compliance program to be used by employees and managers for proactively dealing with potential dilemmas related to bribery and corruption.
Devising such measures remains a work in progress. However, we hope that our integrity measures will inspire our business partners and others to adopt similar principles.
Novozymes' internal guidelines
Novozymes has devised an internal "Standard on Business Integrity", which in our quality management system links to the Social Responsibility Policy and the Financial Policy. Accordingly, all our employees must comply with the following six integrity principles:
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BRIBES:
Novozymes neither accepts nor offers bribes in any form.
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FACILITATION PAYMENTS:
Novozymes strives to avoid such payments.
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MONEY LAUNDERING:
Novozymes does not contribute to money laundering. All financial transactions must be documented.
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PROTECTION MONEY:
Novozymes does not pay protection money.
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GIFTS:
The value of gifts given and received must not exceed locally defined triviality limits.
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POLITICAL AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS:
Novozymes does not make financial contributions to political parties. Charitable contributions are subject to various restrictions.
As a means of ensuring effective implementation, we have developed training material and continue to train selected employee groups. Furthermore, all employees have access to guidance and a means to raise concern about possible breaches of our integrity principles anonymously. A special Committee on Business Integrity is responsible for managing implementation.