Anti-corruption

The Group’s overarching goal is to develop a corporate culture characterised by good judgment and the ability to deal with difficult situations. Orkla has zero tolerance for corruption, price-fixing agreements, market sharing or other practices that hamper free competition.

Orkla’s anti-corruption manual, competition law manual, Responsible Employer and Human Rights Policy and Code of Conduct describe the Group’s standards and guidelines relating to key integrity issues. The management of each company is responsible for communicating the Orkla Code of Conduct to every employee and making all employees who may be exposed to risk aware of the requirements in the anti-corruption and competition law manuals.

In connection with the implementation of Orkla’s vision and values, a number of tools were devised in 2015 to create greater awareness of ethical issues. Selected human rights topics of particular relevance to Orkla’s operations are addressed in occupational health and safety training and certain other training programmes. Orkla routinely conducts e-learning programmes on anticorruption and competition law for management and employees considered to be exposed to risk. The  companies also provide special training in these fields, and training in anti-corruption and competition law is included in several of Orkla’s central competence-building programmes for senior executives and key personnel.

Orkla requires its suppliers to have zero tolerance for corruption, based on the Orkla Supplier Code of Conduct. Suppliers are monitored on the basis of a risk assessment, and it is a long-term goal that all Orkla’s suppliers sign the Group’s Code of Conduct.

As part of the Group’s due diligence procedures in connection with acquisitions and major investments, Orkla assesses the risk of becoming involved in breaches of anti-corruption and competition law. Orkla companies must take necessary risk-mitigating action to prevent independent business partners, including customers and joint venture partners, from participating in corruption or other illegal or unethical activities in connection with their business dealings with Orkla.