Speak Up!

 

Everything we do is built on the foundations of integrity and responsibility. What does that mean exactly? It means that whatever business activity we are involved in, we stick to our principles and insist on fairness and honesty.

Every AkzoNobel employee has a personal responsibility to be aware of our company values and business principles – as specified in our Code of Conduct – and to live up to the standards of behavior they set out. The Code of Conduct explains who we are and how we work. It applies to all our operations around the world without exception.

The code of conduct is available for download in 27 languages.

If you suspect that our Code of Conduct is being, or will be, breached, we strongly encourage you to report this. Please find more information on how you can file a report through our Speak Up! website.

Examples

What should be reported? Here are some examples:

• Any violation of the rules mentioned in the AkzoNobel Code of Conduct
• Any violation of laws and regulations (e.g. competition law)
• Misbehavior with regard to accounting
• Fraud and bribery
• Intentionally providing incorrect information to public bodies
• Criminal offences
• Discrimination and harassment

Corporate Complaints Procedure (SpeakUp!)

In 2009 we have introduced our new Corporate Complaints Procedure (SpeakUp!) which has increased the transparency on reported irregularities within AkzoNobel. Employees are encouraged to report their concerns to their manager or HR manager on site. If, for some reason the concern cannot be reported to them, the SpeakUp! procedure provides for on-line reporting or the use of a toll free telephone number. The handling of irregularities is done in accordance with standard protocols. If an investigation by the BU results in a dismissal or resignation of the employee then the issue is reported to the Compliance Committee. The following table provides insight in the reported irregularities, the source, number of open and closed cases at yearend and the number of dismissals. The total database of irregularities provide us with a starting point to analyze the type of irregularities and how we can improve in terms of training our employees and optimization of controls in order to protect AkzoNobel and our employees from irregularities.

* Status per July 1, 2011