ETICS CODE OF CONDUCT
Article 1 - General provision
In their mutual relations as well as in their relations with clients and stakeholders, a Scheme Member shall respect the principles, values, standards and rules hereafter.
Article 2 - Scope of application
The Code of Conduct shall apply to all Scheme Members, including their internal bodies, subsidiaries, employees, agents and similar.
Article 3 - Social responsibility and ethical standards
A Scheme Member shall conduct its business in a manner that is socially responsible and shall conduct its affairs in accordance with the highest ethical standards.
Article 4 - Integrity of certification
A Scheme Member shall follow the course of action that will result in maintaining the integrity of the entire certification process; it shall not undertake any action that might affect the integrity, reputation or credibility of the Certification Scheme concerned.
Article 5 - Loyalty
A Scheme Member shall in the conduct of its business refrain from any disloyal behaviour towards the Schemes or their Signatories.
Article 6 - Conflicts of interest
An employee's position within the organisation of a Scheme Member shall never be used, directly or indirectly, for private gain or to obtain favours, or for personal benefits for a member of his family or for any other person. Employees, representatives and the members of their families shall not become involved with clients, vendors, competitors or others in any manner which might influence company decisions or actions.
Article 7 - Confidentiality
All information received by Scheme Members when acting in their capacity as Scheme Member and when providing their services must be treated as confidential unless such information has already been published or is publicly available.
Article 8 - Anti-bribery
The Scheme Members shall prohibit the offer or acceptance of bribes of any kind (or implying that they will or might do any such thing at any time in the future) in any way connected with the services they provide.
Article 9 - Compliance with the applicable laws
A Scheme Member shall fully comply with all the applicable laws and regulations that govern its operations in the various countries and communities where it carries out its business.
Article 10 - Anti-trust provision
Competitors may not hold discussions or enter into arrangements among themselves concerning prices for services or other competitive policies and practices.
Article 11 - Unfair competition
Scheme Members shall refrain from any form of unfair competition between themselves and from restrictions of any kind to free trade which might affect other existing or potential Scheme Members.
Article 12 - Advertising and promotional activities
Scheme Members shall refrain from misleading or deceptive advertising, promotion and similar activities.
Article 13 – Recourse to external authorities
Scheme Members shall submit complaints to the ETICS Arbitration Panel as established by PD CCB - 001 Board of Appeal for dealing with complaints before seeking redress before external authorities or courts of justice.