v 3.4
01/08/2025

HRV.SWISS: Company’s Code of Ethics

 

Since its establishment, HRV.SWISS Sagl has pursued its business activities in compliance with the Quality Management System guidelines of its various stakeholders and partners, with particular attention to the guidelines of the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS). The requirements and objectives are based on credibility, neutrality, independence, honesty and incorruptibility. Through this Code of Ethics, we intend to specify these principles and highlight their binding nature for all parties involved.

HRV.SWISS Sagl Code of Ethics describes the values and principles by establishing binding standards of conduct. It serves as a reference point for all activities and for our integrity both internally and externally. The Code of Ethics and the Staff Regulations, as complementary documents, create a framework for ethical conduct within HRV.SWISS Sagl.

If in doubt about the correct course of action, employees are required to contact a member of management or the independent compliance officer (RPCT). Everyone has a responsibility to make the right decisions and to be guided by the principles set out below.

The Code of Ethics is publicly available in English.

The principles set out below must be pursued by all stakeholders.

 

  1. Our main values

HRV.SWISS Sagl is committed to upholding its five core values and requires everyone to adhere to them, as these values have always shaped our identity and integrity:

  • Credibility: requires transparency, reliability, conscientiousness and professionalism. These aspects are crucial for building trust and maintaining long-term business relationships.
  • Neutrality: this is based on acting impartially and objectively, without personal bias, respecting principles, laws and regulatory requirements in order to carry out our tasks and put our skills into practice in a responsible manner.
  • Independence: being free from the interests and influence of specific interest groups and not being influenced by any dependence on shareholders, which allows us to make our own decisions and act exclusively in the interests of regulatory authorities, standardisation bodies and sustainable and ethical living.
  • Honesty: this is a fundamental prerequisite for trusting relationships. It is essential to be honest, upright and transparent, and we are committed to providing clarity and creating an environment in which trust can flourish, in order to build lasting, long-term relationships.
  • Incorruptibility: making our decisions with personal responsibility without compromising or being corrupted. We refuse any form of gift, beyond customary hospitality, to ensure our integrity, maintain the trust of our stakeholders and cultivate fair and ethical business relationships.

 

  1. Compliance to legal and regulatory requirements and to internal policies

Throughout all their activities, HRV.SWISS and its stakeholders comply with applicable laws, regulatory requirements and internal guidelines. Together, these form the cornerstone of our work and are a prerequisite for our market access.

 

  1. Competition and fair business practices

At HRV.SWISS Sagl, we are aware of the benefits of free competition. HRV.SWISS Sagl is able to compete successfully with other companies. We comply with federal and international laws on cartels and other restrictions on competition and unfair competition, as well as EU antitrust laws and competition rules, and we advocate fair business practices. We determine commercial agreements (written, verbal or otherwise) and prices independently. We have no formal or informal agreements with competitors or third parties on competition-related matters. The division of customers, territories or product markets between HRV.SWISS Sagl and competitors is not permitted. All our stakeholders are required to contact the relevant staff if they have any doubts in this regard.

 

  1. Corruption

We firmly reject any form of corruption. No one is interested in or encouraged to offer or promise financial or other benefits inappropriately in order to establish or maintain business relationships or other advantages with third parties. Similarly, such benefits must not be accepted in exchange for preferential treatment by third parties. Furthermore, HRV.SWISS Sagl undertakes and implements all measures to avoid even the appearance of such behaviour or attempts.

HRV.SWISS is ISO 37001 certified and adopts its policies to demonstrate the above.

 

  1. Discrimination and harassment

HRV.SWISS Sagl respects and supports personal dignity, privacy and individual rights of each and every stakeholder. The aim is to guarantee employment or a remunerated partnership without discrimination or harassment (discrimination or harassment based on origin, nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or other circumstances is prohibited). Those who believe that something is not in line with the principles outlined and declared can report their concerns to the person responsible or to an independent function (RPCT). Diversity, variety and inclusion in the recruitment of staff to include different perspectives and backgrounds are the goal of HRV.SWISS with a vision. Our goal is a team that fosters an atmosphere of openness, tolerance and mutual appreciation.

 

  1. Contributions to political parties, sponsorships

HRV.SWISS Sagl refrains from making donations to political parties or candidates, and in any case, all sponsorships must be free of conflicts of interest and must be in line with the stated objectives in terms of ethics and content.

 

  1. Acting in the interests of HRV.SWISS Sagl, avoiding conflicts of interest.

Conflicts of interest arise when personal interests or those of third parties are in conflict. HRV.SWISS Sagl avoids critical situations by applying its stated core values. If potential conflicts of interest arise, a specific issue management procedure will be activated and those responsible must be informed. The aim is to respond appropriately to the situation in order to find a suitable, fair and transparent solution.

 

  1. Family and kinship relationships

Close family members of stakeholders are not, in principle, excluded from employment or consultancy work for HRV.SWISS Sagl, provided that there is no direct subordination between the employee and the relative or partner. These principles apply to all aspects of the employment relationship, including remuneration, promotion and transfer. They also apply in cases where the relationship or family connection arises after the employee joins the company.

 

  1. Business opportunities

We are committed to developing and promoting our association and its affiliated companies. In this regard, we ensure that employees do not compete with HRV.SWISS Sagl. Employees are not permitted to exploit commercial opportunities arising from their work or certification mandates for personal or corporate gain. If employees identify commercial opportunities that could be of interest to HRV.SWISS Sagl, they inform the member of management to whom they report. The latter decides whether HRV.SWISS Sagl wishes to exploit these opportunities. If HRV.SWISS Sagl does not take advantage of an opportunity, employees may only pursue it if it is certain that this will not create any direct or indirect competition for HRV.SWISS Sagl.

 

  1. Confidential information

HRV.SWISS Sagl has always been committed to protecting confidential information (whether its own or belonging to partners and all stakeholders). Confidential information includes trade secrets, internal procedures and documents, data and information from IT systems, marketing plans, business plans, financial information, cost calculation systems and undisclosed financial data. Stakeholders are prohibited from disclosing confidential information unless required by law or authorised to do so. We respect the efforts of third parties to protect their confidential information and treat it with the same caution as our own confidential information. This obligation also applies after the termination of the employment relationship.

 

  1. Protection of company assets and management control

We acknowledge great importance to honesty and respectful treatment of HRV.SWISS Sagl’s assets (generally intangible) and property. Stakeholders are prohibited from participating in fraudulent or illegal activities, particularly those relating to the property, assets, financial reporting or accounting of HRV.SWISS Sagl or third parties.

The financial documents of HRV.SWISS Sagl are essential for the management of the business and for the fulfilment of obligations towards various interest groups. For this reason, all financial documents are accurate and comply with accounting principles. Responsibility extends to everyone’s awareness of the need to protect the tangible and intangible assets entrusted to them – including hardware, software, data, know-how, confidential information and information systems – from loss, damage, misuse, theft, fraud or destruction..

 

  1. Gifts, invitations and favours

Professional relationships must not be influenced by favours, nor should they influence others with related favours. Reasonable hospitality and small gifts may be accepted, but not gifts, hospitality or invitations that could give the impression of improperly influencing business relationships. It is forbidden to accept money from third parties or to offer it.

 

  1. Breach of the Company’s Code of Ethics

We base our work on the Company’s Code of Ethics and comply with its provisions. Making the right decisions and maintaining integrity is a personal responsibility that cannot be delegated. Violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal and, where appropriate, legal or criminal proceedings.

 

  1. Report illegal behaviour or behaviour that violates the Code

We all have a responsibility to act with integrity at all times. Everyone is encouraged to report any practices or activities that they believe to be potentially illegal or in violation of the Code or applicable laws. We manage complaints confidentially and, if requested, offer anonymity through the RPTC appointed by HRV.SWISS Sagl. Every complaint is thoroughly investigated. HRV.SWISS Sagl prohibits any form of retaliation against employees who make reports in good faith, while protecting the rights of those accused.

 

  1. Reporting portal

Anyone can report:

  • their dissatisfaction with the activities and services of HRV.SWISS Sagl using the form (form to request information) on its website: hrv.swiss
  • illegal activities or activities relating to anti-corruption (anonymously): Reporting form

 

  1. Stakeholders’ rights

The personal rights of those involved are protected at all stages of the procedure.