Broad Base. Best Solutions. ETHICAL AND LAWFUL CONDUCT IN ALL COUNTRIES WHERE SGL GROUP OPERATES WHILE MAINTAINING SENSITIVENESS TO AND RESPECT FOR THE DIVERSE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SETTINGS LOYALTY TO SGL GROUP FAIR POLITE AND RESPECTFUL CONDUCT TOWARDS ALL EMPLOYEES FAIR AND HONEST DEALINGS WITH CUSTOMERS AND OTHER BUSINESS PARTNERS SHAREHOLDERS AUTHORITIES THE PUBLIC AND APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION OF THE INTERESTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBLE AND TRANSPARENT CONDUCT IN DEALING WITH RISKS AND PROFESSIONALISM AND GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE CODE OF CONDUCT
Transcript
Broad Base. Best Solutions.
ethical aND laWFUl coNDUct iN all coUNtries Where sGl GroUp operates While maiNtaiNiNG seNsitiveNess to aND respect For the Diverse social aND cUltUral settiNGs loyalty to sGl GroUp Fair polite aND respectFUl coNDUct toWarDs all employees Fair aND hoNest DealiNGs With cUstomers aND other bUsiNess partNers
shareholDers aUthorities the pUblic aND appropriate coNsiDeratioN oF the iNterests oF the eNviroNmeNt respoNsible aND traNspareNt coNDUct iN DealiNG With risks aND proFessioNalism aND GooD bUsiNess practice
CODE OF CONDUCT
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eDitorial
Dear Colleagues,
Our company name is a clear commitment to carbon – our core material. Our Vision “We are the leading Carbon Company” is an ongoing and daily challenge for all of us. Everyone must be committed to contribute everyday to this goal by striving for best solutions for our customers. The key to reach our Vision and a sustainable company success is our SGL Excel-lence philosophy. Excellence is not limited only to Operational, Commercial and Innovation Excellence but must also include exemplary and “excellent” behaviour in all of our daily business transactions. It is our duty to act in a responsible and lawful manner at all times.
The Executive Committee adopted the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to set the standards for responsible and lawful behaviour. These principles will guide us in identifying and avoiding legal risks. Even a single violation of the law
could cause severe damage to SGL Group. Compliance – responsible and lawful behaviour – must be an integral part of our company culture. My board colleagues and I ask you to study the Code carefully to assure you have a clear un-derstanding of the standards. The Common Values reflected in this Code and the principles set therein are the binding standard for our conduct in daily business. It is the individual responsibility of each employee to act according to the stan-dards set in the Code. In this way, each of us will be making an indispensable contribution to the sustainable success of SGL Group – now and in the future.
Dr. Jürgen Köhler on behalf of the Executive Committee of SGL CARBON SE
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CoNTeNT
coNteNt
CoDe of BusiNess CoNDuCT aND eThiCs Purpose and Scope 1. Why A Code? 07 2. Basic Principles 08 3. Personal Responsibility and Accountability 09 Specific Areas 1. Corporate Security Policy 10 2. Financial Integrity, Public Disclosure 12 3. Insider Trading 12 4. Antitrust and Competition laws 14 5. Anti-Corruption Practices 16 6. International Trade and Export Controls 17 7. Corporate Social Responsibility 18 8. Relations to Governmental Authorities 19 9. Conflict of Interests 19Compliance 20
iNformaTioN aND CoNTaCTs 22
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | pUrpose aND scope
1. Why a CoDe?
SGL Group is committed to creating value for its customers by offering best solutions through its innovative, high-quality products and services. SGL Group strives to maintain and further enhance its competitiveness as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products. We do this with the help of our Company philosophy SGL Excellence. Excellence includes responsible and lawful conduct in all of our businesses. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) is an expression of the legal and ethical standards embodied in the excellence we strive for throughout all of our businesses,
and which we expect in return from our business partners. A key element for the sustainable business success of SGL Group is the appropriateness with which we deal with those upon whom our success most depends – employees, custom-ers, shareholders, governmental authorities and the public. Compliance with the Code is fundamental to creating and maintaining trust and confidence with our stakeholders. The Code emphasises SGL Group’s commitment to compli-ance with the law, and sets forth basic standards of legal and ethical behaviour.
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2. BasiC PriNCiPles
The following principles support legal and ethical behaviour and promote personal integrity in our employees and a strong corporate culture for SGL Group:
• lawfulandethicalconductinallcountrieswhere SGL Group operates, while maintaining sensitiveness to and respect for the diverse social and cultural settings; • loyaltytoSGLGroup;• fair,politeandrespectfulconducttowardsallemployees;•fairandhonestdealingswithcustomersandother business partners, shareholders, authorities, the public and appropriate consideration of the interests of the environment; •responsibleandtransparentconductindealingwith risks, and •professionalismandgoodbusinesspractice.
The Code of Conduct emphasises our commitment to
compliance with the law and reflects our
Common Values.
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | pUrpose aND scope
3. PersoNal resPoNsiBiliTy aND aCCouNTaBiliTy
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics shall apply to all directors and employees, both management and non-manage-ment, in all companies at SGL Group (all together referred to as “SGL Employees”). Each SGL Employee has the personal responsibility to make sure that our actions comply with the Code and the laws that apply to her/his work. A high level of social and ethical competence is expected of the executive staff whose conduct should serve as an example of legal and ethical compliance. Each SGL Employee is expected to request advice and as-sistance in the event of any doubts regarding her/his own conduct or that of another employee.
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sgl group’s commit-ment to a safe and
healthy working environment for our employees is a key
element of our corporate culture. The
protection of sgl’s know-how by each
employee is essential for our success.
This Code summarizes the main areas of conduct and ethics, most of them described in more detail in the underlying specific policies and procedures which are adopted by SGL Group and which form an integral part of its Corporate Governance Principles.
1. CorPoraTe seCuriTy PoliCy
SGL Group is fully committed to providing a safe, healthy and positive environment for its employees, protecting the assets, reputation and goodwill of SGL Group, safeguarding confidential and proprietary information, defining security standards for manufacturing and IT processes, and comply- ing with all regulatory requirements regarding health, safety and protection of the environment.
For this purpose, SGL Group has adopted a comprehensive Corporate Security Policy, which is supported by specific guidelines for the following key areas:
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | speciFic areas
1.2. Company Assets, Property and Business Secrets
Good business practice dictates the careful use and protec- tion of company and business assets, including equipment, inventory, products, office supplies and information sys- tems, intangible property such as software, patents, trade-marks, copyrights and other proprietary and confidential information and know-how. Company assets may only be used for business purposes, and not for personal interests and gain. In particular, proprietary and other confidential business information shall be protected against wrongful disclosure. SGL Employees must take all reasonable actions to safeguard and protect confidential information and trade secrets of SGL Group or others, which they have received or learned, and they may not, for non-business-purposes, disclose that information to third parties (including family members and friends) or make any other non-business use of such information.
1.1. Working Environment and Employment Practices
SGL Group is committed to the principles of equal opportu-nity and promoting a working environment in which diversity, open feedback and communication, continuous learning and knowledge sharing is encouraged and valued. SGL Group will recruit, employ and promote employees on the sole basis of the qualifications and abilities needed for the work to be per-formed. SGL Group will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
SGL Group will ensure and maintain accurate and complete accounting records, in accordance with the applicable account-ing practices and principles.
As a publicly listed company, SGL Group shall comply with all applicable rules on the disclosure, publication and reporting of any material non-public information, and ensure that such disclosures are full, accurate, timely, and understandable. In communication to the public through press releases, contacts with the media or financial community, SGL Group shall ap-ply the rules and principles of fair and equal information of all shareholders in order to avoid any selective disclosure.
3. iNsiDer TraDiNg
With its equity-based compensation plans, SGL Group en-courages SGL Employees to invest in SGL securities as a way of sharing in the Company’s success. When buying or selling SGL securities, SGL Employees must be mindful of legal obligations and restrictions on trading. Each SGL Employee shall comply with SGL Group’s Guidelines for Compliance with Capital Market Laws and Regulations. No employee shall trade in SGL securities when in possession of material non-public information (“insider information”), nor provide any such insider information to others, before it has become public. In order to avoid even the appearance of an improper transaction, SGL Group has established quarterly Blackout Periods subject to trading restrictions. SGL Employees are expected to refrain from trading SGL securities during the Blackout Periods. Insider trading may lead to severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment.
See SGL Group Guidelines for Compliance with Capital Market Laws and Regulations
coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | speciFic areas12
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Compliance with antitrust laws is of utmost importance
for sgl group. seek legal advice if in doubt about any particular activity.
4. aNTiTrusT aND ComPeTiTioN laWs
SGL Group is fully committed to fair competition and respects the dynamics of the market. It is the policy of the Company to conduct business in accordance with all applicable anti-trust laws. Due to the lack of a comprehensive international antitrust law, a global company has to tackle multifaceted jurisdictions that regulate anticompetitive behaviour. Although the Code cannot describe all the activities or situations, which might constitute a violation of an antitrust or competition law, the following provides an overview of the main practices, which are prohibited:
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | speciFic areas
• anyunderstanding,agreement,planorscheme,expressor implied, formal or informal, with any competitor in regard to prices or pricing policies, terms or conditions of sale or service, production, distribution, territories or customers;• anyexchangeordiscussionwithacompetitoronprices, terms or conditions of sale or service, costs and profits, or any other competitive information;• agreementsonresalepriceswithdistributorsordealers. The rules related to other business activities or conduct which might result in unlawful restraints on competition, including certain vertical restraints or abuse of a dominant market position, are very complex. Therefore, each employee shall
consult Legal Counsel whenever a transaction possibly involves a competitive restraint in any form, or if the employee will attend a trade association or other meeting where competitors may be present.
Failure to comply with any antitrust laws may lead to very severe penalties for SGL Group and the individuals involved. Corporations are subject to heavy fines and may have to pay substantial damages in civil lawsuits. In many jurisdictions, criminal provisions provide for heavy fines and imprisonment for those individuals convicted.
See SGL Group Global Antitrust Compliance Policy
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5. aNTi-CorruPTioN PraCTiCes
SGL Group is committed to conducting business in a trans-parent and compliant manner, and prohibits all forms of corruption and bribery in its business transactions. Business entertainment and gifts as well as any other benefits granted to, or received by, a business partner must be in compliance with SGL Group’s Policy on Gifts & Entertainment. SGL Employees (i) may not offer, promise, give or authorize directly or indirectly any monetary or non-monetary benefit (ii) to a governmental official or business partner (iii) with the intent to improperly influence the governmental official or business partner in the performance of his/her duties (iv) in order to obtain or retain a business or an advantage in the conduct of business, e.g. in connection with regula- tory permits, taxation, customs or the award of a contract (improper advantage).
The gifts & entertain-ment Policy provides rules for acceptable
business practice, and where to draw
the line when dealing with benefits in your day-to-day business.
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | speciFic areas
6. iNTerNaTioNal TraDe aND exPorT CoNTrols
SGL Group fully complies with all applicable international agreements and national laws regarding the controls on interna-tional commercial and financial transactions, including import and export control laws. Detailed guidance and procedures for compliance with laws on international transactions can be found in various guidelines, policies and procedures imple-mented by SGL Group. SGL Employees involved in interna-tional operations must know, understand, and strictly comply with the applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.
Failure to comply with these laws may result in heavy fines or the loss or restriction of SGL Group’s export and import privileges which, in turn, could seriously and adversely affect a significant portion of the Company’s business. Furthermore, each SGL Employee who violates these laws may face a per-sonal liability, which in certain cases can include imprisonment.
Violations of anti-corruption laws can lead to costly investi- gations, reputational damage and criminal penalties against both the Company and the individuals involved. Persons found guilty of corruption face possible imprisonment as well as fines.
Third parties must not be used to circumvent any of the principles set forth in SGL Group’s Policy on Gifts & Entertainment.
See SGL Group Policy on Gifts & Entertainment
“When in doubt each employee is responsible for seeking advice from a member of the Compliance Network.”
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7. CorPoraTe soCial resPoNsiBiliTy
As a worldwide-operating company, SGL Group is doing business in various countries and cultures. SGL Group is committed to being a responsible member of the communities, in which it operates, observing sound environmental business practices and acting as concerned and responsible neighbour, reflecting all aspects of good citizenship. SGL Group recog-nizes the mutual benefits of engaging and building relation-ships with those communities.
SGL Group is committed to the principles of sustainable development. The Company strives to make efficient use of natural resources and to pursue new products and manu-facturing technologies that promote resource conservation, facilitate recycling and preserve the natural environment.
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | speciFic areas
9. CoNfliCT of iNTeresTs
Business transactions must be conducted with the best inter- ests of, and loyalty to SGL Group in mind, and must not be motivated by personal considerations or relationships.A conflict of interests might arise when an employee takes actions and has interests that make it difficult to perform her or his duties and responsibilities to SGL Group objectively and effectively based on independent and sound judgement. If a conflict of interests or appearance of conflict of interest develops, the employee must disclose the matter to the su-pervisor and the Legal Counsel in order to determine what actions need to be taken to eliminate the conflict of interests.
8. relaTioNs To goVerNmeNTal auThoriTies SGL Group will comply and cooperate with all reasonable requests for information from governmental and other author-ities. To ensure a suitable response, requests must be reviewed with the appropriate corporate functions. Before responding to any non-routine request, each employee shall consult with management and/or the Legal Counsel.
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ComPliaNCe
Management is expected to demonstrate their personal com-mitment to implementing the Code, and shall, through the leadership of their employees, make every effort to maintain a workplace environment that ensures compliance with the Code. It is the responsibility of the Board of Management to provide an appropriate organizational structure to assure the effective implementation, and to promote the values and responsibilities of this Code. SGL Group will not tolerate any violation of any applicable laws or this Code. Failure to comply with the Code may result in disciplinary actions up to, and including termination.
SGL Group fosters an environment in which integrity issues may be raised. SGL Employees are encouraged to seek advice about appropriate ethical behaviour, or raise any concerns regarding compliance-related matters with their supervisor, the Legal Counsel, or any member of SGL Group Compli-ance Network. SGL Employees are encouraged and expected
Compliance is, first and foremost, the
individual responsibil-ity of every employee.
every employee has the personal respon-sibility to understand
and know the Code of Business Conduct
and ethics.
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coDe oF bUsiNess coNDUct aND ethics | compliaNce
to disclose a case of possible violation of the Code to an appropriate person. Normally this will be their supervisor or the Local Compliance Representative. If SGL Employees do not feel comfortable disclosing serious compliance mat-ters to their supervisor or Local Compliance Representative, a whistleblowing system has been established to facilitate the disclosure of potential misconduct or violations. In such case, SGL Employees are encouraged to contact the SGL Group Compliance Office.
See SGL Group Whistleblower Guideline
SGL Group will ensure that any form of sanction, retaliation or discrimination against any SGL Employee who discloses compliance concerns in good faith will not be tolerated, and the confidentiality will be protected to the maximum extent possible.
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http://sglxchange.sglcarbon.eu/
iNFormatioN aND coNtacts
iNformaTioN aND CoNTaCTs
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics defines the main areas of compliance-related business activities, and provides basic principles for legal and ethical behaviour. But this Code can’t cover and answer all questions.
SGL Group Compliance Intranet Web Site (http://sglxchange.sglcarbon.eu/) provides additional information, including the SGL Group Compliance Network with contact details, the relevant compliance-related Group Policies and Guidelines, frequently asked questions, training materials and other help-ful material.
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PleasereturntoyourHumanResourcesDepartment.
receipt aND ackNoWleDGmeNt
reCeiPT aND aCkNoWleDgmeNT
I acknowledge that I have received my personal copy of SGL Group Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
I understand that I am responsible for knowing and adhering to the principles and standards of the Code.
