Anti-corruption (Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Management)
Our approach to fighting corruption
Combating corruption is one of the company's top compliance priorities. Only the quality of our products, our services and our teams should allow us to win contracts. We never offer compensation to obtain or retain business, and none of our representatives or partners are authorized to make illicit payments on our behalf. Our opposition to corruption is affirmed at the highest levels of the company. It is unequivocal and final, and we have a zero tolerance policy for any violation of these rules. We have implemented awareness processes and programs to prevent any potential risk of kickbacks and corruption. BEDEL strictly prohibits all forms of corruption and continuously improves its anti-corruption policies, programs and procedures.
Our anti-corruption program aims to ensure that our employees know and respect internal policies and laws in force.
Business sense or corruption?
Hospitality and gifts are signs of courtesy that strengthen the business relationship. The nature of these practices varies considerably depending on the country, its customs, the people, their beliefs, the company and the nature of the commercial activity.
The disproportion of the favor granted (quality, amount, frequency, response to a personal need, etc.) compared to commercial uses indicates an anomaly: it can be interpreted as a sign of laxity, the intention to influence a person or to make accountable. An advantage granted or perceived with the aim of obtaining compensation in violation of the law, of one's contractual or professional obligations reveals an act of corruption.
Precautions taken to ensure transparency
(Search for information, formality, warning, questions, supporting documents, etc.) are not always well accepted. They can be perceived as a lack of confidence. It will therefore be useful to explain that it is an essential requirement of the company which must, on the contrary, promote a lasting relationship and cement trust.
Some guidelines
Refuse any solicitation, do not initiate any proposal for corruption, ensure locally the legality of offering gifts or other advantages to public officials, convey BEDEL's principles of conduct to the various interlocutors, be attentive to the context and in the sense that a gift or advantage can take, which must not suggest any expectation of compensation.
It is up to the entities to specify rigorous rules to avoid ambiguity,
Anticipate, so as not to find yourself in a “dead end” where refusal would create a real danger or threat, physical or commercial,
Be surprised by abnormal situations, unusual requests, complex circuits, strive to avoid the use of chain intermediaries, respect the separation of decision-making and payment functions, and organize the traceability of payments, in the event of If you have any doubts, contact your superiors, your Compliance manager or the legal department about what action to take.
Some warning signs
- Why is the agreement reached being called into question?
- Would I be comfortable with others knowing about this gift or invitation?
- Does the business partner have a questionable reputation?
- Will I be able to refuse to pass through illegal means?
- Will I maintain my independence of decision?
- Do I dare to talk to my superiors about it?
- Do I have a particular reason to conceal a transaction?
- Will my favorable decision allow me to benefit from an advantage in return?
- Do I have any doubts about the legality of the operation?
