Careers Investors 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. 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 Combined Code on Corporate Governance. Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code The Board is required to report on the operations of the Company by reference to the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the Code’), which sets out standards of good practice in relation to board leadership and effectiveness, remuneration, accountability and relations with shareholders. To demonstrate the Board’s proactive approach to corporate governance, the Company has sought to apply the latest update of the Code, released in April 2016. A copy of the Code and the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code are available from the UK Financial Reporting Council at www.frc.org.uk. Intertek Group Annual Report and Accounts 2016 Corporate Governance Compliance Status (361 KB PDF) 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 and Risk 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 About Us About Us What We Do Our Mission, Vision and Values Our Brand Reinvention Our History Compliance and Corporate Governance Corporate Responsibility Management Clients and Testimonials 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. Helpful Tools To view some of the content on this site, you may need to have the latest version of the following: Adobe Reader Adobe Flash Player Industries & Services About Us Knowledge & Education Locations & Contacts Search © Intertek Group plc Disclaimer Terms Privacy Cookies Client Portals Modern Slavery Act Statement