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Code of Conduct
The International EPD System
EPD program to EPD International AB
EPD International AB operates “The International EPD System” and is one of the leading global programoperators for type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) headquartered in Sweden. EPD International
AB upholds various business relationships to offer third party verified EPDs as a service to its customers. EPD
International AB is licensor to and operates a strategic network of independent international hubs to offer
standardised EPD services on a global scale.
As one of the leading global program operators for EPDs, we at EPD International AB:▪ create value through enabling our business partners and ourselves to deliver innovative, high quality andtrusted verified EPD services in global and national markets;▪ have sustainability at the heart of our business model and treat all our business partners and otherrelevant stakeholders with respect and fairness;▪ develop collaborations that base on integrity/trust and fair competition principles;▪ have a personal responsibility to maintain the high ethical standards inherent in working for and with EPD
International AB.
Purpose and Scope
This is the Code of Conduct (hereafter the “Code”) that defines the minimum standards EPD International AB
demands from its employees and all its business partners to respect and adhere to when conducting businesswith EPD International AB. Please read the contents of this Code carefully. This Code is an important guide foryou to satisfy our high expectations on your standards of behaviour in an increasingly complex business world.
When this Code is inconsistent with your national laws and regulations or internal policies and guidelines,
please contact the Secretariat of EPD International AB for advice.
Applicability
All employees and business partners to EPD International AB irrespective of function, position and location are
via their undertakings with EPD International AB invariably subject to this Code. This Code is an integral part of
all contracts and supplements, all current and future EPD International AB policies, guidelines, etc. The Codesets forth how EPD International AB expects to cooperate with its partners in business dealings.
Reference to EPD International AB governance documents
EPD International AB manages a series of documents that further clarify and complement this Code. Specialattention shall be paid to its general programme instructions:▪

General Programme Instructions for the International EPD® System (GPI)

Compliance
All employees and business partners to EPD International AB shall comply with all applicable laws andregulations, the requirements set out in this Code and any contractual obligations with EPD International AB.
All partners to EPD International AB shall keep record of all relevant documentation and provide supporting
documentation upon request. EPD International AB reserves the right to verify compliance with this Code andits reference documents through self-assessments, and internal and external assessment mechanisms. In casesof non-compliance, EPD International AB will require implementation of progresses toward its internal
investigation and compliance procedures and offers support during remediation. The standards in this Code arein addition to, and not in place of, any provisions of any legal agreement or contract between EPD International
AB and its employees and business partners. In case any business relation fails to comply with this Codes
content, this may result in discontinuance of employment or business relationships.

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Page 2 of 3Business Ethics
Employees and business partners to EPD International AB shall conduct their business in an ethical and fairmanner, operate in full compliance with international, national and local laws and regulations that areapplicable to their business operations, and obtain all the necessary permits, also in relation to the inherent
activities set out in the license agreements.
They shall:
•••

•
•

adhere to free and fair competition and abide by relevant anti-trust and competition laws and regulations.
comply with all anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. They shall not engage in any form of active or passive
corruption, extortion, fraud, or bribery neither with public (officials) nor private parties.
comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the protection, use and disclosure ofproprietary, confidential, and personal information that belongs or is related to EPD International AB. In
case of sub-contracting, sharing of confidential information belonging to EPD International AB should bemade with the consent of EPD International AB, but EPD International AB may not unreasonably withhold
any such consent.
abstain from money laundering activities and maintain proper and accurate records (true and fair view)
governing all business transactions related to EPD International AB.
respect the applicable trade control regulations, embargoes and other restrictions and the requisite
compliance mechanisms in place.

Conflicts of Interest• All employees and partners to EPD International AB shall always act in the best interests of EPD
International AB and its customers.
• All employees and business partners shall avoid situations in which their own (direct and indirect) personal
interests, financial interests, relationships, and outside activities (may) potentially conflict with theinterests of the customers to EPD International AB.
Examples in which conflicts of interest (may) exist:
Secondary employment/assignments;
Contracting with a business managed by a close friend or family member;
Significant financial/ownership interests in a business partner to EPD International AB, and/or abusiness EPD International AB has an interest in acquiring;Use of EPD International AB’s property, labour, reputation or information in pursuit of personal (incl.
political) interests.
• In case there may be/is a potential conflict of interest, EPD International AB’s Secretariat shall promptly be
informed (report and disclose). Next, EPD International AB will determine in a just and equitable manner
whether a conflict exists, or not. To how best resolve the situation, EPD International AB transparently
provides a solution.
• Existing conflicts of interest shall be resolved without detrimental consequences to EPD International AB.
Confidentiality
EPD International AB is dedicated to protecting its own and third parties’ proprietary, confidential (e.g.
technical, commercial and legal) and personal information, and trade secrets.
• All business partners shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the protection, use
and disclosure of proprietary, confidential, and personal information, incl. the European Union’s General
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR1).
• Intellectual property (rights), such as patents, know-how and other third-party intellectual property is
crucial to the success of customers to EPD International AB. Employees and business partners to EPD
International AB shall protect and respect it in every case.
• Confidential and personal information, and business documents shall be suitably protected against
unauthorized access. EPD International AB and its business partners shall adopt and uphold any customer
data protection standard/guidelines where requested and relevant.
• Improper disclosure of confidential and personal information to unauthorized persons inside and outside
EPD International AB is strictly prohibited.
1 The General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679) is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individual citizens ofthe European Union and the European Economic Area. The GDPR also regulates the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas.

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All confidential information EPD International AB and its business partners learn about during theiremployment or contracts is subject to discretion during and after business.

Equity and fairness• In all its business relationships, EPD International AB prohibits all forms of discrimination on criteria such as
gender, age, religion, physical ability, national origin, sexual orientation, union membership, politicalaffiliation, marital status, race, or colour.
• In all its business relationships, EPD International AB is committed to fully respect human rights
throughout its operations, including ensuring the observance of human rights in all relationships involving
EPD International AB, and encourages its partners to constantly improve their human rights performance.
EPD International AB is committed, at a minimum, to uphold the principles set out in the International Billof Human Rights and the International Labor Organization’s core conventions.
Responsibilities and Consequences of Infringements of this Code• Compliance with this Code is the responsibility of each employee and business partner to EPD
International AB.
• EPD International AB is dedicated to building an open working environment and ethical culture that isbased on trust and not on sanctions.
• EPD International AB will investigate allegations of misconduct, including violations of this Code. EPD
International AB will not hesitate to take adequate and reasonable measures (disciplinary and correctiveactions) to ensure the proper implementation of and compliance with this Code.
• EPD International AB does not permit any measures against anyone who in good faith raises issues,concerns, allegations of compliance, violations or unethical conduct.
Consultation, Grievance Mechanisms and Access to Remedy
EPD International AB provides a company-based grievance mechanism for effective remedy to its internal andexternal partners and stakeholders. In the context of our relationship, if there is any believe that the terms ofthis Code of Conduct are not adhered to by its partners, or that EPD International AB acts in conflict with ititself, then EPD International AB encourages you to raise your concerns or report incidents via EPD
International’s reporting channel without retribution. All reported incidents are processed, investigated andfollowed-up (where appropriate) within a determined time frame.
Please visit www.environdec.com to learn more about your reporting options or contact us:
The International EPD System
Tel.: +46
Email: compliance@environdec.com
Declaration of Consent
At the request of EPD International AB, I undertake the obligations contained in this Code of Conduct.
Name in capitals………………………….
Signature……………………………………
Position……………………………………..
Date…………………………………………..

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