The Code of Ethics and Conduct (the Code) brings together the principles that govern IHT's activities and the ethical and professional rules to be observed by the members of its Governing Bodies and by all Employees in their relationships with Customers, Suppliers and other Stakeholders.
It also applies to third parties contracted by, or acting on behalf of, IHT where IHT could be held responsible for their actions.
The fundamental objectives of the Code are to:
The application of this Code is monitored by the Ethics and Conduct Committee, or by any other body that the Committee may appoint for this purpose.
Any case or complaint submitted to the Ethics and Conduct Committee is treated in strict confidence and should be sent by email to [email protected].
To be a company of excellence in construction solutions, recognised by society for always being part of the solution and for contributing with commitment to a better world.
To accelerate the restoration of harmony between humankind and nature through the design, manufacture and sale of innovative construction solutions…
These values should be reflected in the following principles of action:
Ensure strict compliance with all national and international legal, regulatory and standards-based provisions in force in the regions where the company operates. Respect employees' trade union rights and all applicable collective bargaining provisions.
Provide supervisory and regulatory authorities with all required cooperation and requested information, within the company's means.
Comply with market rules and promote fair competition, avoiding any practice liable to prevent, distort or significantly restrict competition. Maintain healthy and cordial relationships with competitors and promote mutual respect.
Always act with integrity and maintain prevention and control systems relating to fraud and irregularities, in particular in financial and asset-related matters, conflicts of interest, and the misappropriation or improper use of information.
Treat customers with professionalism, efficiency, respect, loyalty, good faith and dedication. Ensure equal treatment of all customers, without any unjustified discrimination between them. Provide products and services that meet customer needs, complying with the agreed conditions and the commitments made, in line with the expectations placed in IHT.
All IHT Employees and members of its Governing Bodies, regardless of seniority, must make it the main focus of their actions to build a relationship of empathy and trust with customers, based on the best value proposition, in order to ensure their satisfaction.
In their dealings with Customers, Employees must carry out their activities in line with the commitments made by IHT:
Select suppliers on the basis of impartial, fair and transparent criteria, without privilege or favouritism. Selection must take into account not only the commercial terms and the quality of the products or services offered, but also the suppliers' ethical conduct as assessed by IHT. Act with loyalty and good faith in relationships with business partners, communicating with them clearly and objectively, with a view to building a long-term relationship of trust.
IHT adopts procedures guided by principles of economic rationality and efficiency. Its business practice is transparent and fair, and no form of abuse, bribery, corruption or money laundering is tolerated.
Act loyally towards Shareholders, taking their interests into account with the fundamental objective of creating value for them and managing risk.
Strictly observe legal principles and the equal treatment of shareholders, providing all of them with the necessary information in an appropriate, truthful, transparent and rigorous manner.
Cooperation. IHT adopts a cooperative approach towards public authorities and local communities, based on transparency and independence, with full availability and openness to improving the legal framework of its business.
Independence. IHT remains independent from public institutions and political parties, without prejudice to relationships of a professional nature. Under no circumstances does it finance political parties or organisations whose mission is essentially political.
Compliance with obligations. IHT strictly observes the national and international legislation applicable in the geographical areas where it operates and fulfils all of its legal and contractual obligations. All information requested and required by law is provided to public and supervisory bodies accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner.
Define human resources policies with respect for the dignity, diversity and rights of every person, ensuring equality and non-discrimination in practice. No form of individual discrimination incompatible with human dignity is acceptable, in particular on the grounds of origin, ethnicity, sex, political conviction, religious belief, sexual orientation or physical disability, and no conduct amounting to sexual harassment, mobbing or abuse of power is permitted.
No form of forced labour, slave labour, unpaid labour, child labour or any other work without a lawful framework is acceptable.
Treat every employee fairly and promote equal opportunities for personal and professional development, in particular through rigorous and constructive performance assessment, participation in professional training programmes and encouragement of activities outside work. Remunerate all employees fairly, based on applicable legislation, their responsibilities and their performance.
Respect and promote employees' work-life balance, respecting the holiday, rest and break periods of all employees.
Provide a good working environment with the most appropriate occupational health and safety conditions, and promote team spirit, unity and mutual support among employees. Ensure that information is communicated, shared and recorded among employees. Ensure compliance with the applicable standards on safety, health, hygiene and wellbeing in the workplace, with employees strictly observing the laws, regulations and internal instructions in this area.
Environmental protection, the sustainability of natural resources, biodiversity, climate change and our relationship with nature are fundamental pillars of IHT's day-to-day activities. Through our products and actions, we seek to help accelerate the restoration of harmony between humankind and nature. Act according to a sustainable development approach across its economic, social and environmental dimensions. Accept social responsibility towards the communities in which the company operates, in order to contribute to their progress and wellbeing.
Mitigate and/or minimise the environmental impacts arising from the environmental aspects associated with the company's activities and services, in particular through the prevention of waste and its correct separation, to maximise its recovery and ensure it is properly handled; the prevention of air, water and soil pollution, as well as the efficient use of the natural resources consumed (water and energy); the use of raw materials from responsible sources; and the promotion, sharing and encouragement of best environmental practices among employees, customers, suppliers and the community in general.
The standards set out in this Code must be accepted, understood and practised by all Employees wherever they carry out their activities, regardless of their seniority or their specific duties and responsibilities.
Personal development and professional progression. IHT places great value on the professional and personal development of its Employees, promoting their continuous training as a means of enhancing their performance and motivation. The recruitment, remuneration and professional progression policies adopted are guided by merit-based criteria and recognised market practices.
Protection of rights. IHT observes the principles and values set out in national and international legislation on Human and Social Rights. Discriminatory conduct on the grounds of sex, race, ethnicity, religious belief, party affiliation or any other ground is not permitted; equal opportunities are promoted and integrity and dignity in the workplace are ensured.
Privacy. IHT is committed to respecting privacy and security in the processing of personal data, as well as the other rights of data subjects.
Hygiene and safety. IHT provides a healthy, safe and pleasant working environment that promotes Employees' wellbeing and productivity.
Participation. IHT values and encourages the participation of its Employees, promoting effective processes for communication, consultation and sharing. To this end, it respects and values the participation and presence of its Employees.
Value creation. IHT conducts its business with a long-term value creation perspective, respecting the principles of sustainability and corporate social and environmental responsibility.
Duty to train. Employees undertake to keep their knowledge and skills up to date by taking part in the training opportunities made available and recommended by the company.
Innovation and initiative. Achieving collective objectives requires a committed and proactive individual attitude, implementing innovative solutions that create more value than traditional solutions.
Interpersonal relationships. Observe the principles of loyalty, integrity, cooperation, courtesy and respect for the hierarchy, basing mutual relationships on cordial, respectful and professional treatment. Promote the sharing of knowledge and information and cooperation across disciplines and departments, favouring team spirit. Act with a high sense of responsibility and cooperation, favouring a good working environment and personal relationships, both with colleagues and with managers, and between managers and their teams. Implement managers' decisions in accordance with the company's plans, and encourage and support team members in applying them. Do not involve the company in actions taken in a personal capacity.
Responsibilities. Employees must conduct themselves in strict compliance with the laws and standards applicable to their activities, in accordance with the responsibilities assigned to them, always with impartiality, competence, rigour, diligence and transparency. Use any delegated authority without abuse, in pursuit of the company's objectives and never for personal gain. Respect IHT's values and the principles set out in this Code, in both internal and external relationships. Report any irregularity that could jeopardise the development of IHT's business or its good name.
Conflicts of interest. Avoid situations that could give rise to conflicts of interest, such as taking part in decision-making processes that directly or indirectly involve entities with which they work or have worked, or individuals to whom they are or were related by family or any other ties. Where this is not possible, they must inform their line manager of such relationships. Refrain from carrying out any roles outside the company whenever such activities compromise the fulfilment of their duties as IHT employees, or in organisations whose objectives may conflict or interfere with those of IHT.
Integrity. Do not accept from or offer to third parties any gifts, payments or other benefits that could create in the other party an expectation of preferential treatment in their dealings with the company. Gifts received from third parties that go beyond mere courtesy or a symbolic and commercially negligible value must be reported to the line manager, and refused if they suggest an expectation of special favour on the part of the giver.
Harassment. IHT encourages respect and cooperation among all employees in a respectful and dignified working environment, and rejects any form of harassment. Any form of harassment is prohibited, whether during access to employment, in employment itself or in professional training. Harassment means any unwanted conduct intended to or having the effect of:
Sexual harassment means any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, physical or otherwise, with the objectives or effects described in the previous paragraph. Where harassment is alleged, which must be done in writing, disciplinary proceedings are opened following the procedure set out in the Portuguese Labour Code, culminating in the disciplinary sanction appropriate to the case. The person reporting harassment and the witnesses they name may not be subject to disciplinary sanctions, unless they act with malicious intent, on the basis of statements or facts contained in the records of judicial or administrative proceedings triggered by harassment, until a final and binding decision is reached, without prejudice to the right to be heard.
Confidentiality and professional secrecy. IHT employees, even after their duties have ended, are bound by professional secrecy, in particular on matters which, because of their objective importance, an internal decision or applicable legislation, should not be made public. Exercise reserve and discretion, within IHT and outside it, regarding facts and information obtained in the course of their duties, and comply with the established rules on information confidentiality. All personal data collected must be processed impartially, lawfully and carefully, in order to protect the privacy of each employee, in strict compliance with the applicable legal standards.
Loyalty. Act loyally towards IHT, working to safeguard its credibility and good image in all situations, and to promote and ensure its prestige.
Protection and use of assets and resources. Ensure the integrity, protection and conservation of IHT's physical, financial and intellectual assets. The resources available must be used efficiently in pursuit of the objectives set by the company, and not used, directly or indirectly, for personal gain or for the benefit of third parties.
Good governance. Manage the company diligently and transparently, creating conditions for dialogue within the management bodies on objectives, strategy, risk analysis and performance assessment, in observance of the highest standards of corporate governance.
Private transactions. Refrain from taking part in or maintaining any contracts or transactions on terms other than normal market conditions with entities with which IHT has business relationships or that are controlled by its directors, in particular in negotiating loans, obtaining discounts, negotiating payment terms or selling goods or services that could interfere with the institutional or commercial relationships between those entities and IHT, or between the employees benefiting from the transactions and those entities.
Anti-bribery and anti-corruption principles and standards. Do not permit any practice of bribery or corruption, whether active or passive, including facilitation payments or payments intended to create, maintain or promise irregular or preferential situations. In particular, do not offer, make or authorise an improper payment (in cash or otherwise) to any person, including any local or foreign authority anywhere in the world. Do not offer or accept money or anything of value, such as gifts, tips or commissions, in connection with business or the award of a contract, or with a view to obtaining or providing a level of service to which there would not normally be an entitlement.
Relations with the media and social media. Do not give interviews or provide information, on their own initiative or at the request of the media, without prior notification to IHT Management. When using social media, the rules of conduct set out in this Code of Ethics and Conduct must be respected. Do not publish information about IHT that is confidential or internal, limiting themselves to public information and always considering the implications that may arise from publishing content relating to the company. Protect IHT's image by not publishing content that may be considered unlawful, offensive, defamatory or threatening, or that may damage IHT's image and reputation.
| Committee | Ethics and Conduct Committee of IHT, Lda. |
|---|---|
| Address | Zona Industrial de Soure, Rua E, Lote 15, 3130-551 Soure, Portugal |
| [email protected] |