Report & accounts 2002 in full - Unilever
Report & accounts 2002 in full - Unilever
Report & accounts 2002 in full - Unilever
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8 Our code of bus<strong>in</strong>ess pr<strong>in</strong>ciples<br />
Community <strong>in</strong>volvement<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> strives to be a trusted corporate citizen and, as an<br />
<strong>in</strong>tegral part of society, to fulfil our responsibilities to the<br />
societies and communities <strong>in</strong> which we operate.<br />
Public activities<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> companies are encouraged to promote and defend<br />
their legitimate bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong>terests. <strong>Unilever</strong> will co-operate<br />
with governments and other organisations, both directly and<br />
through bodies such as trade associations, <strong>in</strong> the development<br />
of proposed legislation and other regulations which may<br />
affect legitimate bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong>terests. <strong>Unilever</strong> neither supports<br />
political parties nor contributes to the funds of groups<br />
whose activities are calculated to promote party <strong>in</strong>terests.<br />
The environment<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> is committed to mak<strong>in</strong>g cont<strong>in</strong>uous improvements<br />
<strong>in</strong> the management of our environmental impact and to the<br />
longer-term goal of develop<strong>in</strong>g a susta<strong>in</strong>able bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> will work <strong>in</strong> partnership with others to promote<br />
environmental care, <strong>in</strong>crease understand<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
environmental issues and dissem<strong>in</strong>ate good practice.<br />
Innovation<br />
In our scientific <strong>in</strong>novation to meet consumer needs we<br />
will respect the concerns of our consumers and of society.<br />
We will work on the basis of sound science, apply<strong>in</strong>g<br />
rigorous standards of product safety.<br />
Competition<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> believes <strong>in</strong> vigorous yet fair competition and<br />
supports the development of appropriate competition laws.<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> companies and employees will conduct their<br />
operations <strong>in</strong> accordance with the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples of fair<br />
competition and all applicable regulations.<br />
Bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong>tegrity<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> does not give or receive, whether directly or<br />
<strong>in</strong>directly, bribes or other improper advantages for bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
or f<strong>in</strong>ancial ga<strong>in</strong>. No employee may offer, give or receive any<br />
gift or payment which is, or may be construed as be<strong>in</strong>g, a<br />
bribe. Any demand for, or offer of, a bribe must be rejected<br />
immediately and reported to management.<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> account<strong>in</strong>g records and support<strong>in</strong>g documents must<br />
accurately describe and reflect the nature of the underly<strong>in</strong>g<br />
transactions. No undisclosed or unrecorded account, fund<br />
or asset will be established or ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed.<br />
<strong>Unilever</strong> Annual <strong>Report</strong> & Accounts and Form 20-F <strong>2002</strong><br />
Conflicts of <strong>in</strong>terests<br />
All <strong>Unilever</strong> employees are expected to avoid personal<br />
activities and f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>terests which could conflict with<br />
their responsibilities to the company. <strong>Unilever</strong> employees<br />
must not seek ga<strong>in</strong> for themselves or others through<br />
misuse of their positions.<br />
Compliance – monitor<strong>in</strong>g – report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Compliance with these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples is an essential element<br />
<strong>in</strong> our bus<strong>in</strong>ess success. The <strong>Unilever</strong> Board is responsible<br />
for ensur<strong>in</strong>g these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples are communicated to, and<br />
understood and observed by, all employees.<br />
Day-to-day responsibility is delegated to the senior<br />
management of the regions and operat<strong>in</strong>g companies.<br />
They are responsible for implement<strong>in</strong>g these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples,<br />
if necessary through more detailed guidance tailored to<br />
local needs.<br />
Assurance of compliance is given and monitored each year.<br />
Compliance with the Code is subject to review by the Board<br />
supported by the Audit Committee of the Board and the<br />
Corporate Risk Committee.<br />
Any breaches of the Code must be reported <strong>in</strong> accordance<br />
with the procedures specified by the Jo<strong>in</strong>t Secretaries.<br />
The Board of <strong>Unilever</strong> will not criticise management for any<br />
loss of bus<strong>in</strong>ess result<strong>in</strong>g from adherence to these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples<br />
and other mandatory policies and <strong>in</strong>structions.<br />
The Board of <strong>Unilever</strong> expects employees to br<strong>in</strong>g to their<br />
attention, or to that of senior management, any breach or<br />
suspected breach of these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples.<br />
Provision has been made for employees to be able to report<br />
<strong>in</strong> confidence and no employee will suffer as a consequence<br />
of do<strong>in</strong>g so.