Anti Corruption Policy
Anti Corruption Policy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Leadership Message 3
2. Policy Owner 4
3. Applicability 4
4. Your Responsibility 4
APPENDIX B – Definitions 12
Prysmian Group is committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. Doing
business with transparency, fairness and integrity is the underlying foundation of our Code of
Ethics and our Values: we must always do the right thing. All Prysmian Group employees and
third parties representing us must conduct themselves ethically at all times.
Full adherence to Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Laws (hereinafter “ABAC Laws”), regulations,
and policies is mandatory: no bribes, kickbacks, or other corrupt payments may be offered or
received by any of our employees or third parties working on behalf of Prysmian Group
(hereinafter the “Company”).
As employees of a global organization, we must be diligent and aware of situations that could
put ourselves and our Company at risk of violating ABAC Laws. We work hard every day to
achieve Company goals and to build a solid business credibility … we must never jeopardize the
Company’s reputation by resorting to corrupt practices, which may result in significant fines,
penalties and irreparable damage of our reputation. We must always do business with ethics
and integrity.
In order to promote this message and raise the awareness around Prysmian Group’s zero
tolerance for bribery and corruption, the Company has developed and adopted this Policy as part
of its overall commitment to integrity and ethical conduct, consistent with our Code of Ethics
and Values.
Valerio Battista
The purpose of this Policy is to provide guidance and rules of conduct to ensure that all Prysmian
Group employees and third parties representing the Company:
• Understand their obligation to act ethically and to behave with the highest level of personal
and professional integrity;
• Comply at all times with Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Laws;
• Do not engage in any corrupt practice or behavior;
• Identify and report any bribery and corruption concern.
2. POLICY OWNER
Group Compliance owns this Policy and is responsible for periodically reviewing and updating it
to ensure it accurately reflects regulatory, best practice, or business developments.
For any questions or concerns, please refer to your Regional Compliance Leader or Prysmian
Group’s Ethics & Integrity Homepage: https://people.prysmiangroup.com/thematic-area/ethics-
integrity.
3. APPLICABILITY
This Policy applies to all employees, officers, directors, and legal entities of Prysmian Group.
When conducting business on behalf of the Company, third parties are required to observe the
same level of integrity, ethical conduct, and compliance with the law as Company employees.
In jurisdictions where local laws or regulations set stricter rules than those set out in this Policy,
the stricter rules must always prevail.
4. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
a) Read, understand, and comply with the requirements included in this Policy;
b) Comply with Prysmian Group’s Code of Ethics and any other applicable policy;
Prysmian Group, and Italian legal entities, are subject to Legislative Decree No 231/2001 of the
Italian Law, which holds companies accountable for acts of corruption committed by their
representatives.
2) Accounting and Recordkeeping Provisions – Require that all books, records, and accounts
include a reasonable amount of detail and accurately and fairly reflect all transactions of the
Company. This also includes the maintenance of a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient enough to provide reasonable assurance that all transactions are executed in
accordance with defined authorizations, proper delegation of authority, in compliance with
accounting principles, differences and fluctuations in accounts can be properly followed up on by
management, and audits are routinely completed.
Any form of bribery and corruption in favour of any individual is strictly prohibited.
• Offer, give, solicit or accept anything of value, either directly or indirectly through a third
party, to/from a Government / Public official, commercial entity, or any individual, with the
intent of influencing a business decision to obtain or retain an improper business advantage;
• Solicit or accept a bribe, kickback, corrupt payment or any other improper business
advantage;
• Engage in any corrupt practice or activity in violation of ABAC Laws and regulations;
• Authorize or condone any corrupt practice, behavior or activity performed by any Prysmian
Group employee or third party representing the Company;
• Undertake any action or conduct that may create the appearance of impropriety or corruption
(even the perception of a corrupt act could result in the damage of our reputation);
• Intentionally alter, omit, or falsify books or records of the Company.
There are many forms of corruption and they can take place in many of our business activities.
We must always be mindful and vigilant during our daily interactions with customers, vendors
and third parties.
Additional Considerations:
➢ No Prysmian Group employee will ever suffer any adverse or disciplinary action for refusing
to pay or accept a bribe or corrupt payment, even if it results in the Company suffering a
loss of business or a negative impact on productivity.
➢ Employee safety is our priority. In a situation where you believe that your life or safety is in
danger, take reasonable actions to remove yourself from danger and provide the person
making the demand or threat whatever is required to ensure your safety. Once you reach
safety and conclude that you are no longer in danger, you must immediately report the event
to your Regional Compliance Leader.
All Prysmian Group legal entities must comply with the following requirements:
2 – ABAC Laws require detailed and accurate accounting records for all transactions and the
maintenance of accurate books, records, and financial reporting.
3 – Each transaction must be timely recorded, properly authorized and accurately recorded in
terms of amount, accounting period, accounting classification, and business purpose.
5 – All Prysmian Group entities must implement and maintain an effective system of internal
controls and monitoring of transactions (such as timely and consistent account reconciliations,
proper delegation of authority and approval levels, etc.).
Any exception to the rules of conduct included herein requires written approval from your
Regional Compliance Leader.
Facilitating payments are prohibited, even when such payments are permitted or tolerated under
local law and jurisdiction.
Facilitating payments are unofficial payments of limited value made to a Government / Public
Official with the intention of expediting and facilitating the execution of an ordinary, routine and
non-discretionary activity or one that is required as part of the duties of the Government / Public
Official (for example, payments to expedite customs operations, obtaining documents, issuing
visas, etc.). Facilitating payments do not include payments that may be required under
applicable local legislation (e.g. payments required to be able to enjoy priority treatment).
The existence and use of a petty cash fund create a significant corruption risk, if not managed
according to adequate and strict internal controls.
1 – The existence of a petty cash fund must be formally approved by the Regional CEO or Global
BU CEO and Regional CFO.
2 – Any legal entity authorized to have a petty cash fund must develop a written procedure.
3 – The written procedure must include rules and internal controls such as, but not limited to:
- purpose to hold a petty cash fund;
- types of transactions permitted;
- adequate documentation/receipts required to support petty cash transactions;
- required approvals for petty cash transactions;
- replenishment process;
- process for count of petty cash at month end.
Any charitable donation or sponsorship granted to any entity, organization or individual with the
intention, either real or perceived, to influence a decision to corruptly gain a business advantage
These transactions represent a high corruption risk. Funds or assets may be misappropriated
for personal use or for the benefit of a Government / Public Official or a private individual.
Furthermore, even a legitimate contribution, when made in exchange for obtaining or sustaining
a business activity, or to secure an illicit advantage, may be considered a corrupt payment
pursuant to ABAC Laws.
The following key rules must be followed when granting a charitable donation or sponsorship to
an entity, organization, or individual (hereinafter “Party”):
1 – Must ONLY be made to a Party that has an excellent reputation in terms of integrity and fair
commercial practices.
2 – Party must undergo Due Diligence, as per Prysmian Group’s Third Party Program.
3 – Must be made ONLY to the bank account in the name of the beneficiary Party.
4 – Must NOT be made in cash, to a party other than the beneficiary Party, or to a bank account
in a country other than the one where the Party is headquartered or carries business.
5 – Must be recorded accurately and transparently in the Company books and records.
6 – The beneficiary Party must confirm that contributions it receives will be recorded in its own
books and records in an appropriate and transparent manner.
7 – Must comply with all applicable Prysmian Group policies and procedures.
To build goodwill with potential and existing customers and other business partners, or to
recognize and appreciate a positive and long-standing business relationship, offering and
receiving gifts and business courtesies may be an accepted business practice.
However, we must ensure that any gift, gratuity or business courtesy is not a bribe or corrupt
payment meant to improperly influence a business decision. Even the perception of a corrupt
practice may harm our reputation.
It is permissible to provide and accept gifts, gratuities or business courtesies that have a
business purpose and justification: they must be directly related to the promotion,
demonstration, or explanation of Prysmian Group’s products or services or to the execution or
performance of a contract.
You should consider whether you would be comfortable accepting/giving the gift or business
courtesy if your manager, a family member, or the public could become aware of it. The key is
to be transparent, use good judgment and common sense, and avoid any appearance of
impropriety.
The following key rules must be followed when giving/receiving a gift or business courtesy:
6 – Must not involve activities or behaviours that may be morally questionable or cause
embarrassment to the parties involved.
7 – Must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Prysmian Group policies.
It is essential that our business partners and third parties working on our behalf understand and
are fully aligned with Prysmian Group’s zero tolerance for bribery and corruption. ABAC Laws
may hold Prysmian Group accountable for a third party’s bribe or corrupt behaviour when the
third party is representing or acting on behalf of the Company or in connection to a Company
transaction.
To reduce the risk associated with engaging third parties, we must demonstrate we have
completed an appropriate level of due diligence to ensure these third parties comply with ABAC
Laws and Prysmian Group standard of ethical behavior.
All Prysmian Group employees are responsible for, and must closely monitor, the relationships
they have with our commercial entities, government entities, vendors, customers, and all other
third parties.
For further information and guidelines, please refer to Prysmian Group’s Third-Party Program.
Prysmian Group employees must be extremely vigilant to identify any corruption red flags and
steer away from any improper conduct. Some examples of instances to watch out for:
➢ Providing a Government / Public Official a gift or business courtesy, which in the private
industry might be common practice, might be strictly prohibited or appear as improper in
some jurisdictions;
➢ The involvement of a sales agent, third-party intermediary or consultant when participating
in a government project / tender.
As a Prysmian Group employee, you agree to uphold our commitment to ethical conduct,
integrity, and our Code of Ethics. Company employees who violate this Policy shall be subject
to disciplinary procedures, including possible dismissal, and any other legal action required to
protect the interest and reputation of Prysmian Group.
Business partners and third parties, working on behalf of the Company, which violate this Policy
shall be subject to business and legal consequences where applicable, including contract
termination as well as prohibition to engage in business relations with Prysmian Group.
The Group Compliance & Internal Audit Function will monitor the implementation of this Policy
and have the right to audit at their discretion any books and records of the Company at any time
to detect violations of this Policy.
As a Prysmian Group employee, you are obligated to report any Policy violation to:
Any form of retaliation is strictly prohibited. Prysmian Group is committed to ensuring that all
employees are free to disclose in good faith any Policy violation, either real or suspected. You
will not be adversely impacted or retaliated upon in the workplace, either personally or
professionally, for raising a valid and legitimate concern.
The following Policies are related to the Anti-Corruption Policy and must be consulted by all
Prysmian Group employees for further guidance. These Policies are available in the Ethics &
Integrity Homepage: https://people.prysmiangroup.com/thematic-area/ethics-integrity.
A) Code of Ethics
B) Third Party Program
C) Gifts and Entertainment
D) Conflicts of Interest
E) Prysmian Group Helpline
When engaging with customers, vendors, or third parties, Prysmian Group employees need to
be vigilant to identify any corruption red flags, which must be reported to your Regional
Compliance Leader immediately. Red flags are attributes or characteristics that may indicate an
illegal or corrupt practice, and should be considered and evaluated carefully. Examples of red
flags include, but are not limited to:
• Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Laws: Laws that prohibit corruption and bribery of
domestic or foreign government officials or of parties in private or commercial transactions. The
laws relating to bribery include but are not limited to the U.S Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
(FCPA), the U.K Bribery Act 2010 (Bribery Act), the Italian Legislative Decree No 231/2001, and
other applicable anti-corruption laws, such as the laws of Brazil, China, and the European Union.
• Anything of Value: Anything tangible or intangible, whether financial or not, that provides a
benefit or advantage to the recipient, including but not limited to, cash or cash equivalents,
purchase of property, goods or services at inflated or discounted prices, gifts, entertainment,
cars, home improvements, travel and accommodations, securities, job or internships, tips,
charitable donations, political contributions, sponsorships, etc.
• Bribery: Where a person either directly or indirectly promises, pays, solicits, requests, agrees
to receive, or accepts anything of value:
1) to / from another person with the intention to induce that person to perform a function or
activity improperly or to reward a person for the improper performance of a function or activity;
2) to / from another person knowing or believing that accepting or requesting anything of value
would be an improper performance of a function or activity;
3) to / from another person knowing or believing that a person will conceal the request, promise,
offer, or gift from his or her employer while he or she is required to disclose this information; or
4) to / from a government official to obtain or retain business or an advantage in business. This
also includes the inducement to do or refrain from doing an act in the conduct of business which
is in breach of that person’s duties to his or her employer or principal or is dishonest or illegal.
• Business Advantage: Anything that helps Prysmian Group achieve its business goals,
including but not limited to, winning a bid submission or contract, obtaining a sale, procuring
licenses, permits, or approvals, or obtaining confidential information, tax incentives, etc.
• Code of Ethics: This document sets forth the principles and behaviours that are expected of
Prysmian Group employees in the execution of job duties. These principles, combined with our
Values, must always guide employees’ conduct and activities.
• Commercial Entity: Any entity that is engaged in business (on a profit or not-for-profit basis)
and is not a government entity.
• Due Diligence: The gathering and analysis of independent data and information to assess the
corruption and Compliance risks associated with a third party. Due Diligence procedures must
be performed prior to entering into a business transaction with a third party.
• Employee: Individual with an employment contract with any Legal Entity of Prysmian Group.
The definition includes any contracted temporary resources.
• Ethics & Integrity Homepage: The Ethics & Integrity Homepage is the Compliance
homepage, available in the Company intranet at https://people.prysmiangroup.com/thematic-
area/ethics-integrity. This site serves as a one-stop shop for all Compliance Policies,
communications, training materials, and the Prysmian Group Helpline.
• Gifts, Gratuities and Business Courtesies: This is a generally used term that is all
encompassing of anything of value given or received as part of a commercial relationship,
PRYSMIAN Group Copyright.
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in any material form or electronically, whether wholly or in part, without the written consent of Prysmian Group.
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including but not limited to business hospitalities, gifts, entertainment, meals, travel and
accommodation expenses, sponsorships, charitable contributions, services, prizes, event
tickets/passes, promotions, reimbursements, loans, etc.
• Group Compliance: Prysmian Group function responsible for overseeing and managing all
compliance issues within the organization. This function develops programs to safeguard the
Company by ensuring all Prysmian Group employees comply with regulatory requirements and
internal policies and procedures. This function will provide guidance, training, advice, and
support on all compliance topics and is to be used as a resource for all Company employees.
• Government Entity: Any government (Federal, State, or Local government) agency, office,
authority, ministry, or instrumentality of any government (expressed or implied by statute,
action, or other governing authority, including but not limited to private prisons, private toll road
operators, government-owned utility, the legislature, judiciary, administration of a government,
or political entities), or any other entity in which a government owns a controlling interest
(whether or not such entity is used for governmental purposes).
• Retaliation: Occurs when an employer takes punitive actions that negatively impact an
employee for acting lawfully and according to Company policies and procedures. Retaliation can
include any negative job action, such as demotion, discipline, firing, salary reduction, or job or
shift reassignment.
• State-Owned Enterprise (SOE): Entity or enterprise where the state (government) has
significant control through full, majority, or significant minority ownership. An SOE can be owned
by a central or federal government; regional, municipal or local government; a sovereign wealth
fund; or any combination thereof.
• Third Party: Any entity or individual that Prysmian Group engages, as part of its business
operations, to provide services and/or support in the sale of products/services to a customer.
In general, a Third Party either provides vendor services required by Prysmian Group to conduct
its business or acts as a sales intermediary between the Company and an end user/customer.