5. ETHICS Choose ethical relations based on trust GEODIS is dedicated to fostering a culture and strict rules of business integrity. The Group’s ethics and compliance program is designed to ensure that ethical principles are implemented at all levels of operations, and to ensure full compliance with international laws and regulations, particularly in terms of anti-corruption measures, respect for human rights and data protection throughout the value chain. 5.1 Corporate culture and business integrity Issues and impacts GEODIS operates in a highly complex legislative and regulatory environment, governed by a multitude of local and international standards, laws and regulations. The Group works with a network of suppliers, subcontractors and business partners, which exposes it to risks of human rights abuses and unethical business practices. Based on its purpose, its values, its Leadership Principles and its ethics and compliance standards, GEODIS ensures that its employees, temporary workers, consultants and subcontractors act with integrity in all the countries where it operates. Every employee’s accountability is essential to maintaining customer trust and ensuring the long-term success of the business. Governance The Group’s senior executives’ commitment is the cornerstone of the Group’s ethics and compliance system. This dedication is supported by the Group’s Chief Executive Offi cer, by the executive vice-presidents of the lines of business and regions, and by each member of the Management Board in their respective areas of expertise. The Compliance Department reports directly to the Chief Executive Offi cer, and carries out the following tasks: ● developing ethics and compliance programs, sharing best practices and defi ning the rules of ethical business conduct; ● developing and organizing awareness and training campaigns on compliance issues; ● representing the Group internationally to customers, partners, industry associations and both governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations; ● providing advice and recommendations on all ethical and compliance issues; ● managing the ethics whistleblowing system. It is supported by a network of ten Compliance correspondents across the Group’s lines of business and regions. Its responsibilities include implementing the compliance program and monitoring its application, as well as following up on the action plan associated with mapping corruption risks. The GEODIS Risk Committee monitors the implementation of the compliance program, as well as incidents and issues reported by the Compliance Department. The Committee meets on average four times a year to address these issues. Policies The GEODIS Code of Ethics, published in 2009, is the foundation of the Group’s ethics and compliance system. It applies to all employees – including temporary and external workers – and to members of the Management Board and Supervisory Board. It is the responsibility of each entity’s management to distribute this document as well as the following associated internal policies: ● policy for free and fair competition; ● policy against corruption and infl uence peddling; ● policy for assessing stakeholders’ probity based on the “Know Your Business Partner” procedure presented in the Book of Business Principles; ● procedure for export controls; ● policy on whistleblowing; ● data protection declaration. All these documents are available on the Group intranet and help to foster a culture of integrity while also promoting sustainable and socially responsible practices. Action plan GEODIS’s action plan covers ethics and compliance, anticorruption, free and fair competition, customs and export control. 86 - 2024 ACTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
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