Careers Investors Total Sustainability Media & Events Worldwide Intertek Industries About Us Knowledge Locations Home / About Us / Compliance and Corporate Governance Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Blog COMPLIANCE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE One of the Group's primary business objectives requires adherence to local, national and international laws, and the requirement that the Group's employees show integrity and honesty in all their dealings. Risk management and internal controls are therefore embedded throughout Intertek, assuring the accuracy and validity of reports and certificates that the Group provides to customers. The International Federation of Inspection Agents (IFIA) issues a Compliance Code which defines the standards of conduct and integrity with which IFIA members must comply. The Intertek Compliance Code is a document including the detailed set of principles and rules taken from this IFIA Code. The Group operates a 'zero tolerance' policy in regard to breaches of ethics and all employees are required to sign an agreement, confirming their understanding that any breaches of the Group's Code of Ethics will result in disciplinary action that may include summary dismissal of the employee concerned. Intertek is committed to maintaining a culture where issues of integrity and professional ethics can be raised and discussed openly. This is why we provide the online Hotline for all employees, contractors and others representing Intertek, to enable confidential reporting of suspected misconduct or breaches of the Code, or any of our policies (including our Labour and Human Rights Policy and Modern Slavery Policy). They can also call the telephone Hotline where calls are answered 24/7 in English by trained specialists and interpreters are available. Independently owned and operated by Convercent, reported concerns will be kept secure and confidential. All complaints are investigated thoroughly with action taken as appropriate. What are our compliance goals? To avoid conflicts of interest and to act openly, responsibly and within the confines of the law and internationally accepted guidelines. To implement current 'best practice' policies in all control procedures. To maintain a culture in which all employees know what is expected of them. To monitor adherence to organisational controls and reporting procedures. Who is responsible? The Intertek Group General Counsel heads the Group's Compliance team and reports to the Group CEO. Our corporate governance Intertek is committed to high standards of corporate governance, business integrity and professionalism in all its activities. The Board is responsible for the proper management of the Company and is also accountable to the Company's shareholders for ensuring that principles of good governance are applied. The Board comprises a balance of Executive and Non-Executive Directors who bring a wide range of skills and experience to its deliberations. The Non-Executive Directors fulfil a vital role in corporate accountability and bring independent judgment to issues of strategy, performance, resources and standards of conduct. The Board has established an Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, and Remuneration Committee (please click on the name of the Committee to see the Terms of Reference for that Committee) in accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Please click on this link to access the Board Approval Matrix. Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code For the financial year up to 31 December 2020, the Board is required to report on the operations of the Company by reference to the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (‘the Code’), which sets out standards of good practice in relation to board leadership and effectiveness, remuneration, accountability and relations with shareholders. A copy of the Code is available from the UK Financial Reporting Council at www.frc.org.uk. The Code applies to accounting periods on or after 1 January 2019. Intertek Group Annual Report and Accounts 2020 Corporate Governance Compliance Status (456 KB PDF) Intertek UK Pension Scheme (Scheme) defined benefits only – Statement of Investment Principles (SIP) The Trustees of the Scheme are responsible for the Investment of the Scheme Assets and under statutory legislation they have to produce a Statement of Investment Principles detailing their objectives and the parameters they work within which is made available on a website. Please click here for a copy of the SIP. The Implementation Statement The Implementation Statement (the “Statement”) provides information on how, and the extent to which, the policies of the Scheme’s Trustee’s, in relation to the exercising of rights (including voting rights), attached to the Scheme’s investments, and engagement activities, have been followed during the year ended 31 March 2021. In addition, the Statement provides a summary of the voting behaviour and most significant votes cast during the reporting year. Please click here for a copy of the Statement. Our internal controls and audits The Board is ultimately responsible for establishing and maintaining the Group's system of internal controls, and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a system can realistically only manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can only provide reasonable assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Board confirms that, in addition to internal compliance and quality audits, there is an on-going process for identifying, evaluating and managing any significant risks to the Group's short and long-term value, including those arising from social, environmental and ethical matters. The Audit Committee reviews the effectiveness of the system of internal control during the year. In particular, it reviews and continues to seek to improve the process for identifying and evaluating the significant risks affecting the business and the policies and procedures by which these risks are managed. This is reinforced by the Intertek Code of Ethics, which provides practical guidance and instruction for staff. Contact the Intertek Compliance Hotline Compliance Policies Intertek Code of Ethics Intertek Code of Ethics Agreement Intertek Compliance Hotline Intertek Anti-Bribery Policy Modern Slavery Act Statement Modern Slavery Policy Intertek Group Tax Strategy Intertek Occupational Health & Safety Policy Intertek Sustainable Procurement policy About Us About Us What We Do Our Mission, Vision and Values Our Brand Our History Compliance and Corporate Governance Our Responsibility Management Clients and Testimonials Update On COVID-19 Compliance Policies Code of Ethics (1.3 MB PDF) Code of Ethics Agreement (87 KB PDF) Intertek's Compliance Hotline enables confidential reporting of suspected misconduct or breaches of the Code of Ethics. 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