financial report and registration document 2011 - Groupe SEB

THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
The Group’s IT system is designed to guarantee the security, integrity,
availability and traceability of information.
To ensure the proper use of these tools and the utility of data, an operating
manual adapted to the needs of users has been drawn up.
The Group has also introduced procedures to ensure the security of its
information systems and the integrity of its electronic data.
An Information Systems Steering Committee is responsible for drawing up
an IT master plan which corresponds to the Group’s organisational needs
and general development policy. This Committee, chaired by the Executive
Vice-president, Industry, comprises the Information Systems department and
representatives of user entities (including Continental General Management,
Strategic Business Areas Management, the Group Finance department and
the Human Resources department). Within this framework, it determines the
nature of IT system projects and decides on priorities for resource allocation
and IT security policies.
The IT Data Security Committee, of which the Audit department is part,
meets regularly to ensure that the level of IT risk within the Group and its
subsidiaries is adequately managed and that appropriate informational and
sensitisation measures are taken to prevent the risk of piracy of our systems.
Internal audit missions now include more detailed scrutiny of IT security risk
areas, in particular concerning integrated software: user profi le management
and the risk of system access rights within an enterprise function.
The risk of intrusion into the network and/or into a centralised application is
periodically evaluated and tested.
Data security audits were also conducted in some supplier companies.
THE QUALITY DEPARTMENT
The desire to improve the quality of its products and processes has always
been a central concern of Groupe SEB.
The Group uses a Quality Management System (QMS) with Group-wide
standards that are posted on the Company’s intranet.
Financial Report and Registration Document 2011
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Corporate governance
Chairman’s report on internal control
Documentation for this system includes reference to all procedures, tools
and methods relating to the Group’s key processes:
� management procedures, defi nition of Group policy, strategic planning,
constant improvement in quality, and safeguarding the environment;
� operational processes including strategic marketing, R&D, sales and
marketing, client order processing and production transfers;
� operational support functions, covering human resources, information
systems, purchasing, fi nance, after-sales service and customer assistance.
The Quality department uses monthly feedback reporting to fi ne-tune its
action plans, which are then submitted to the Group Executive Committee.
THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
This department submits the Group sustainable development policy to
the Group Executive Committee for approval and then coordinates its
implementation. It promotes awareness-raising initiatives and encourages
appropriate behaviour within the Group.
To prepare the Group and anticipate the demands of the decree proposed
under Article 225 of the Grenelle II environmental law, which is expected to
take effect from the fi nancial year ending 31 December 2012, the Sustainable
Development department had a preliminary voluntary audit conducted
in 2011 on the information in the sustainable development report. This
preparatory work continued in 2012 with another voluntary audit providing
a limited assurance report.
THE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT
Each year, this department draws up a schedule of the Group’s regular
fi nancial communications for fi nancial markets and institutional investors. It
identifi es, in collaboration with the Legal department, legal and regulatory
requirements for publication of Group fi nancial notices.
Accounting and fi nancial information procedures
Internal control procedures for accounting and fi nancial information aim to
ensure the quality of the fi nancial information provided by the consolidated
subsidiaries, and the fairness and accuracy of the fi nancial information
issued by the Group, while safeguarding against risks of error, inaccuracy
or omission in the Group’s fi nancial statements.
Groupe SEB uses internal control guidelines based on AMF framework
guidelines and accounting and fi nancial audit principles.
CENTRALISED TREASURY AND FINANCE
OPERATIONS
Local regulations permitting, the Group Finance department ensures the
financing of its subsidiaries via cash pooling, inter-company financing
contracts and the use of currency fl ows for payments and receipts.
GROUPE SEB
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