Code of Conduct - Exyte English.pdf · Code of Conduct and must apply it when conducting day-to-day...

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Code of Conduct

2 Exyte Code of Conduct

3Exyte Code of Conduct

Message from the Executive Board 401 | Compliance is your responsibility 602 | Prevent corruption and bribery 8 2.1 Dealing with business partners 10 2.2 Dealingwithpublicofficials 13 2.3 Engaging agents and consultants 14 2.4 Rules for donations and sponsoring 15 03 | Compete on fair terms 1604| Preventconflictsofinterest 17

Code of ConductTable of Contents

05 | Ensure independent review 1806| Maintainaccurateandtransparentfinancialrecords 19 07 | Handle company assets with care 20 7.1 Asset protection 20 7.2 Protectionofconfidentialinformation 21 08 | No insider trading 22 09 | Diversity and fair labor 23 10 | Implement the Exyte Code of Conduct 24 Your contacts 27


It is our corporate policy to conduct business in accordance with the highestethical,moraland legalstandardsthroughoutallbusinessareas. This means, first and foremost, that we comply with allapplicable lawsandregulations–evenifthatmeansnottowinanimportantprojectormissingabusinesstarget.

However, compliance at Exyte goes further.We actwith integrityandrespectforbusinesspartnersandforcolleagues.AtExyte,weareexplicitlynotinterestedinanincreaseofrevenuesandprofitsattheexpenseofhonestyandfairdealing.We,themembersoftheExecutiveBoardofExyteAG,setthehigheststandardsforourownconductandweexpectthesamefromeachandeveryemployeeofExyte.

Message from the Executive Board

Weareawarethatglobalizationandincreasinglycomplexregulatoryenvironments make compliance more and more challenging. Inorderforyoutomasterthesechallenges,theCodeofConductshallprovide practical guidance for your day-to-day business.

The Exyte Code of Conduct is more than just a policy. It is the basis andbenchmarkof all our business conduct.Always keep inmind that one single case of non-compliance can have seriousconsequences and may damage the high reputation that ExyteGroup has earned in the market. The trust which our clients,suppliersandotherstakeholdersplaceinourcompanyisourmostvaluable asset. Protecting this asset is a responsibility that we all share,regardlessofourpositioninthecompany.

Dear colleagues,

Dr.WolfgangBücheleChiefExecutiveOfficer

Roberto PennoChiefOperatingOfficer

Meg LassaratChiefFinancialOfficer

Executive Board

5

My board colleagues and I expect you to understand the ExyteCodeofConductandliveuptoitinpractice.Weencourageyoutospeak up and take actionwhenever needed. Should youwitnessmisconductorbe indoubt,pleasecontact theExyteComplianceTeam.

Stuttgart,March18,2020Dr.WolfgangBücheleonbehalfoftheExecutiveBoard


01| Complianceisyour responsibility

TheExyteCodeofConductdefinesandsummarizesthestandardsfor legal compliance and ethical conduct for Exyte Group.

ItdetermineshowweinteractandworkwithinExyteandprovidesthebasisforrelationshipswiththirdpartieslikeclients,suppliersandconsultants.TheExyteCodeofConductappliestoallExytelegalentities,officesandsitesandisdirectlybindingonallemployees,directors and officers. Exyte will also seek to influence andencourage subcontractors and suppliers to adopt our standards.

AllExytepersonnelmustunderstandandcomplywiththeExyteCodeofConductandmustapplyitwhenconductingday-to-daybusiness. If you are not sure how to interpret lawsor theExyte Code of Conduct you are expected to consult with the ExyteComplianceTeam([email protected]).

Ifyouwitnessmisconductorbelievethatsomethingisnotcorrector appropriate, please contact the Exyte Compliance Team via [email protected]. All reportsmade in good faith will be treatedwiththestrictestconfidentiality.Anyvictimisation,harassmentor other adverse treatment of a personmaking a reportwill not betolerated.Ifyouprefertomakeananonymousreport,pleaseusethe ExyteEthicsLinewhichisindependentlyoperatedbyathird-partyprovider(pleasefindmoreinformationontheExytewebsiteorontheintranetunder“Compliance”).

Exytewillnottolerateanynon-compliancewith lawsortheExyteCode of Conduct and will take such action as Exyte considersappropriatetorigorouslyenforceourCodeofConduct (includingbutnotlimitedtocivilactions,criminalprosecutionanddisciplinarymeasures).


ActingincompliancewiththeExyteCodeofConductisthe right way. Everywhere. For everyone.

Don’t support it, report [email protected]


02 | Prevent corruption and bribery

Exytetakesafirmpositionagainstcorruptionandbribery, and we expect the same from our business partners. We do not bribe – not anyone – not anywhere. ExyteemployeesandanyoneelseactingonExyte’sbehalfmustnot offer, promise or give, request, solicit or accept, directly orindirectly, anything of value to or from an employee, officer oragentofabusinesspartneroragovernmentofficial. BriberyisprohibitedatExyte.

Wedonotbribeand we do not tolerate bribery..

It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that providing or accepting advantages is appropriate and compliantwiththeapplicablelawsandExyte’spolicies.Inanycaseofdoubt,youshouldconsultwiththeExyteComplianceTeam.


If we can do business only by circumventingthelaw,somethingiswronginourbusinessmodel.

CEO Dr. W. Büchele


2.1 Dealing with business partners

It is common knowledge that offering benefits to public officialsis illegal. That the same applies to business partners in mostjurisdictionsmaynotbeknowntoeveryone.Moreover,agiftmaybe acceptable in one country, whereas it could be considered a bribe in another. Against the background of this uncertainty, wegenerallyrestrainourselveswhenofferinggiftsorissuinginvitationstobusinesspartners.Inexceptionalcases,gifts,invitationsorotherbenefits of reasonable value that are appropriate in the specificsituationarepermissible.

Toprovidereliableguidanceforyourday-to-daybusiness,theExyteAnti-BriberyandCorruptionPolicydefinesthresholdsforgiftsandestablishesaframeworkforinvitations.

There is a thin line between a friendly gesture among business partners and a criminal offence, and sometimes distinguishingbetween both is difficult. A bottle ofwine forChristmas or aninvitation to a sports event may be a friendly gesture to build good relations with business partners. Gifts and invitations can, however, also be considered an attempt to influence thebusiness partner, in particular if this happens in the context of a business decision. To protect employees and the company, we will generally adopt a cautious but reasonable approach when it comes to gifts and hospitality. Yet, any sort of cash gifts, either receiving or giving, are strictly forbidden at Exyte.

Offering gifts, hospitality and other benefits


Weconvince our clients by the excellent quality of our services and products.Wedonot needtoofferanythingontop.

Gifts below the thresholdmaybe given as a gestureof courtesyif they can in no way be perceived as intended to take improperinfluenceontherecipient.Inanycaseofdoubt,youshouldconsultwiththeExyteComplianceTeam.No fixed limits are defined for corporate hospitality. You mayinvite business partners to events that are decent and reasonable in nature, frequency and cost upon prior approval of the ExyteComplianceTeam.Businessmealsthatmeettheaforementionedcriteria do not require prior approval.

Pleasealsokeepinmindthatforyourbusinesspartnerevenstricterrulesmayapply.Therefore,youshouldalwayschecktheircodeofconductbeforeofferinganygiftsorinvitations.


AtExyte,businesspartnersareselectedsolelyaccordingtoobjec-tivecriteria likequality,performanceorpricing.Toavoidtheriskortheperceptionthatourbusinessdecisionscouldbe influenced, inprinciple, we do not accept gifts or presents. It is strictly forbidden for Exyte’semployeestorequestordemandoreventoindicateinterestinbenefitsofanykindfromcurrentorpotentialbusinesspartners.

Youmayacceptgiftsofminorvalueasnobodywouldthinkthatourbusinessdecisionscouldbeinfluencedbythem.GiftsofhighervaluemustbedeclinedorreturnediftheyexceedthelimitssetforthintheExyteAnti-BriberyandCorruptionPolicy. Ifthis isdifficultforbusi-nessorcultural reasons, theExyteComplianceTeamwillhelpyoufindtherightapproachinordertopreservethebusinessrelations.

Invitationstomealsandeventsmayonlybeacceptedifthereisadi-rectconnectiontoourbusinessandifthemealoreventisdecentandreasonable innature, frequencyandcost.Still,costs for traveloraccommodationtoattendsuchmealsoreventsmustalwaysbeborne by Exyte. Invitations to eventsmay only be accepted uponpriorapprovalbytheExyteComplianceTeam.Businessmealsthatmeettheaforementionedcriteriadonotrequirepriorapproval.

Wedonotacceptgifts by business partners to

avoid the appearance that our business decisions could be influenced.

Accepting gifts, hospitality and other benefits


2.2 Dealingwithpublicofficials

The risk of breakingbribery and corruption laws is significantlyhigherwhendealingwithpublicofficials.Therefore, it isstrictlyprohibited to give or offer anything to public officials so as toavoidtheriskortheperceptionofimproperinfluence.

In many countries, not only civil servants are regarded as publicofficialsbutalsoexecutivesofstate-ownedcompanies,ofprivatecompanies that have a public function (e.g. energy supplier) orofficials and employees of public international organizations. Youmust always consult a member of the Exyte Compliance Teambefore considering giving anything to a person who is potentially a publicofficial.

Whendealing with public officials and persons that could qualify as such,

always consult the Exyte Compliance Team.


2.3 Engaging agents and consultants

Where Exyte wishes to engage consultants or agents to help us win projects against payment of a commission (“Agents”), ourinternal rules and procedures for consultancy agreements apply. It is a strict requirement that all personnel comply with these rules given the high risk of bribery and corruption associated with such arrangements.

There is an approval process for the engagement of each andevery Agent. The Exyte contract templatesmust be used whenhiring Agents which can be obtained from the Exyte CorporateComplianceTeam.PaymentstoAgentsmayonlybemadewherea written contract is in place and after verifying that the agreed service was actually rendered in accordance with the contract.

Allservicesandpaymentsmustbedocumentedappropriatelyandcomprehensively.Furthermore,allpaymentsmustbemadebybanktransferorotherproperlydocumentedmeans.Anycashpaymentis strictly forbidden.

Wedo not use agents or consultants for doing something that we would not be permitted to do ourselves.


As a good corporate citizen, Exyte supports charitable and non-profitorganizationsandinitiativesinourcommunities.Alldonationstosuchorganizations and initiativesmust be authorized in accordancewiththe applicable Exyte policies.

2.4 Rules for donations and sponsoring

Wedo not mix charitable work and business.

Even if a donation serves a charitable purpose, it could still be bribery. Toavoidanyriskorperceptionofimproperinfluenceontherecipients,donationsandsponsoringmaynotbelinkedtoourbusiness.


03| Competeonfairterms

AtExyte,webelieveinfair,lawfulandopencompetition.Thesuccessof Exyte relies on our employees, on the excellent quality of our services and products, and on our client focus. We will always adhere to competition laws and we will never put the trust of our clients at risk by collusive practices or collaboration with competitors.

Wedonotenterintoanykindofanti-competitiveagreementwiththird parties relating to prices or other commercial terms andstrategies, forexamplebycoordinatingourconduct in tendersorbycollusivepricefixingwithcompetitors.Thisdoesnotonlyapplytoformalagreements,butalsotoanykindofinformalarrangementwhichmightlimitcompetition.Pleasenotethatthemereexchangeofcommerciallysensitivedataamongcompetitors isprohibited,andeventhereceiptordisclosureofinformationcanbeaviolationofcompetitionlawsevenwherethereisnoanti-competitiveintent.

Weexpectourcompetitorstoactinthesameway.Ifyouareeverapproached by one of our competitors to discuss commerciallysensitivedataortomakearrangementswhichmightaffectpricesortermstowardsourbusinesspartners,youmustexpresslyrefusetoengage in suchdiscussionsor arrangements and immediatelyreporttheincidenttoamemberoftheExyteComplianceTeam.

Wedetermineourbusiness termsandstrategies

independently from our competitors.


04| Preventconflictsofinterest

Our business decisions are made exclusively on the basis of objective criteria and shall not be influenced by personalinterests. Employees who put their own interests above those of the company may damage the company.

Conflictsof interestmay, forexample, arise if youprocuregoodsor services on behalf of Exyte when you or your relatives havea financial interest in the supplier. Family ties or similar kinds ofclose personal relationships between a line manager and theirsubordinate may cause the appearance of bias in personneldecisionsandshall thereforebeavoided.Secondaryemploymentmustnotinterferewiththeemployee’sdutiesandisonlypermittedafterpriorapprovalbytheresponsiblemanagerinaccordancewithour internal rules and procedures.

Toavoidtheappearanceofaconflictof interest,employeesshalldisclosepotentialoractualconflictsof interesttotheirmanagersorHRBusinessPartners.Letotherstaketherelevantdecisionsinconflictofinterestsituations.

Weprevent conflictsofinterestsby

transparent and open communication.


05 | Ensure independent review

Allbusinesstransactionsandmajordecisionsshallbesubjecttothe four-eyes principle. The four-eyes principle means independent assessment and control by two authorized employees involved in the respective transaction. As a consequence of the four-eyes principle, written external correspondence generally requires two signaturesfromauthorizedsignatories inaccordancewithExyte’s internalregulations.Inexceptionalsituations,thesecondsignaturemightbewaivediftheotherauthorizedemployeeconsentsorally.Suchconsentmustbeconfirmedinwriting.Thesolesignatoryshallassumefullresponsibilityforcompliancewiththisprocedure. The four-eyes

principle is applicable to all business

transactions.


06 | Maintain accurate and transparentfinancialrecords

Correct accounting and financial reporting is a pre-condition forourcompany’ssuccessandthebasisforbuildingandmaintainingthe trust of stakeholders and business partners. Furthermore,improperor fraudulent documentationor recording is illegal.Anyirregularitiesmayhaveseriousconsequencesforthecompanyaswell as for the personnel responsible for such irregularities.

Accuracyandtransparencyisofutmostimportanceforourexternalfinancialreporting.Wepublishourperiodicfinancialstatementsontimeandinaccordancewithnationalandinternationalaccountingregulations.

Wetakeresponsibilityfor maintaining the integrity

of our financial accounts.

The requirement to maintain accurate and transparent financialrecords is not only relevant for our external financial statementsandreportingobligations,butextendstoall internalfinancialdatathat build the basis for Exyte’s financial accounts.As such, everymemberofaprojectteamisresponsiblefortakingcaretoensurethat the commercial data and project figures are accurate andrealistic.


07|Handlecompanyassetswithcare

Exytewill provide youwith all tools andequipment necessary foryoutoperformyourwork.YouareresponsibleforprotectingExyte’stangibleassets,intellectualpropertyandinformationfromdamage,loss,compromiseandmisuse.

Personal information is an asset that requires special attentionand protection, by the company and by all employees. Exyte hasimplemented technical and organisational measures to ensureappropriateprotectionofpersonalinformation,andallmembersofExyteGroupareexpectedtoimplementthesemeasures.

7.1 Assetprotection

We use company assets only for business purposes and handle themwithcare.

Youmay only use company assets for private purposes if this isexplicitly permitted either in our internal rules or by authorizedpersonnel. The property and assets of business partners are to be treatedinthesamemannerandwiththesamecare.


Knowledgeandknow-how is key forExyte’s success. Itgoeswithout sayingthattheprotectionofExyte’stradesecretsandotherconfidentialinformationisofcritical importancefor the futureofourcompany.Thesamecareandattention is to be exercised with regard to data of our business partnersprovidedtousduringaprojectoreveninadvanceoftheawardofaproject.All confidential information,whetherbelonging toExyteorourbusinesspartners, must be handled responsibly. Mark confidential information,keepitsafeandlimitaccesstothosewithaneedtoknow.Youmustnotdisclose any confidential information which you have obtained duringthecourseofyouremploymentuntilsuchinformationbecomespublicknowledge,eitherduringorafterterminationofyouremployment.

Wetakeappropriatemeasuresto protect confidential information of Exyte and of our business partners.

7.2 Protectionofconfidentialinformation


08 | No insider trading

Anyone with access to confidential information about a publiclylistedcompany(e.g.customers,subcontractorsorevenExyteitself)which – if such information became public – could substantiallyinfluencethemarketpriceofsuchpubliclytradedcompany’ssharesisconsideredan“Insider”.Insiderinformationmustbetreatedwithspecialcare.YoumustneveruseInsider informationforyourowntradingpurposesortoadviseortipoffothersintradingtheirshares.Insider trading is a violation of law.

Weareawareofthe special requirements for the

handling of Insider information.


09 | Diversity and fair labor

Culturaldiversityisastrengththatcreatesarichnessinourcompany.Diversity management at Exyte does not only mean that allemploymentdecisionsincluding,forexample,decisionsregardingrecruitment or benefits, are based on individual qualifications,without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age,physicalhandicap,disability,sexualorientation,oranyotherstatusprotectedbylaw.Italsomeansthatwetakeprideinouremployees,benefitfromtheirdifferencesandsupportthemindividually.

Diversitymeansthatwedonotdiscriminate,andfurthermorethatwedonottoleratediscrimination.Allemployeesareaskedtotreateach other with respect and fairness. No form of discriminationorharassmentwillbetoleratedatwork.Anyoffenceswill result indisciplinary action.

Weseediversityasastrength, support fair and encourage

respectful cooperation amongstouremployeesand towards our business partners.

We strive for fair labor conditions and comply with all applicablenational regulations regarding forced or child labor and fair remuneration.Weaskallemployeestobeawareofandwatchoutforanyindicatorsofnon-compliancewithlaborlawsandtomonitorindicators closely.


10| ImplementtheExyte Code of Conduct

All ExyteGrouppersonnel areexpected tounderstand theExyteCode of Conduct and to implement it in their day-to-day work.ThisincludesparticipatingintheassignedcompliancetrainingandactivelyseekingadvicefromtheExyteComplianceTeamifyouhaveany questions or are in doubt as to your obligations.

Managersareexpectedtomaketheirteammembersfamiliarwiththe Exyte Code of Conduct and to emphasize the importanceof compliance to their teams.They are furthermore expected toimplement andmonitor compliance with the required processesandliveuptotheirspecialresponsibilityasrolemodelsforcomplyingwithapplicablelawsandtheExyteCodeofConductandforactingwith integrity.

Compliancewiththe ExyteCodeofConductisthe personal responsibility of eachandeveryemployee.


All managers are responsible for ensuring compliance in their area of responsibility.



Your contacts

Dr.SteffenLiebendörferVicePresidentComplianceExyteManagementGmbH70376StuttgartGermanyPhone: +49 711 [email protected]

Dr.JuliaMelzer ComplianceManagerExyteManagementGmbH70376StuttgartGermanyPhone: +49 711 8804-4119 [email protected]

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