In Pon, we live our core values: Passion to Perform, Care & Act Responsibly, Trust to Act and Make it Fun. We feel proud of who we are and what we do and also want the market to connect with what we represent. Our values are translated in the Pon Code of Conduct, which sets out our responsibilities to customers, employees, business relations and the society. Together, the Pon values and Code of Conduct govern the way we work around the world.
Our Code of Conduct
We focus on building strong, lasting relationships, with each other as well as with our customers, suppliers and other business relations. Our Code of Conduct describes how we do this. It contains commitments on how we treat each other, how we treat our business relations as well as commitments on compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Pon provides mandatory training and regularly reminds employees about the importance of the Pon values and Code of Conduct.
Pon Ethics in Practice
Leaders at all levels play an essential role, by being uncompromising with respect to ethics and compliance, making it clear through their actions and expectations that all business plans and activities must be undertaken in a responsible, ethical and compliant manner.
We have a global Pon Ethics Program which focuses on embedding the Pon values and Code of Conduct into our daily work. The program is directed by the Chief Compliance Officer who is supported by:
- the Pon Compliance Committee, which sets the Pon policies, standards and procedures and oversees the global implementation of the Pon Ethics Program
- the Pon Compliance Team, which is responsible for the design, support and monitoring of the Pon Ethics Program
- 70 Local Compliance Officers, who serve as compliance ambassadors in our operating companies
- the business group’s legal counsels who monitor external legal and regulatory developments and provides legal advice; and
- Pon’s operating companies, which implement the necessary policies, standards and procedures into daily work, supported by the Local Compliance Officers.
We provide guidance, advice and training to help employees understand their responsibilities and how to act ethically and in full accordance with the law:
We do not tolerate the direct or indirect offer, payment, solicitation or acceptance of bribes in any form. Facilitation payments are also prohibited.
We aim to do business fairly, ethically and in accordance with applicable laws that promote and safeguard fair competition among businesses. Our commitments include the prohibition of practices such as price-fixing and market-sharing.
To combat money laundering, we avoid cash payments whenever possible. Should a transaction involve a cash payment, robust internal processes ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations including reporting procedures.
We also adhere to all laws and regulations on trade compliance, including export controls and trade sanctions.
Reporting violations
We encourage our employees to share any concerns they may have that the Code is being breached, anonymously if they wish, and without fear of retaliation. The Pon Ethics Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be accessed through local telephone numbers or the internet. It allows employees to seek advice and report concerns anonymously and in their own language, about potential misconduct. Their concerns are investigated by specialists; if we confirm that the Code of Conduct has been breached we take appropriate action, which could include dismissal or the termination of a contract.
