Ethical Business Policy

PURPOSE

The aim of the CHASE Ethical Business Policy is to define the guiding principles for CHASE in the conduct of its activities. It governs business decisions and actions throughout the UK and applies equally to corporate actions as well as the individual behaviour of Employees in the performance of their duties. The CHASE Ethical Business Policy is intended to be indicative of the minimum requirements for behaviour.

1. GENERAL COMMITMENT

1.1 CHASE wishes to be a responsible partner in society, acting with integrity towards its Customers, Employees, Suppliers, Competitors, Governments and the general communities in which it operates who can be affected by its activities. CHASE is committed to act fairly and responsibly. It endeavours continuously to assess its interests and those of affected persons or entities to ensure a healthy long term relationship with them.

1.2 Ethnic and cultural differences throughout the World enrich society. CHASE endeavours to adjust itself to local situations so as to choose a proper approach in coping with possible problems within the bounds of applicable law and responsible conduct. In this respect, CHASE supports the principle of dialogue and cooperation with all parties involved rather than taking a confrontational stance.

1.3 CHASE divisions are encouraged to promote, defend and support their legitimate business interests in the countries in which they operate with due regard to the Law and the interests of society.

1.4 CHASE supports the principle of fair competition as a basis for conducting its business and observes applicable competition Laws and Legislative Regulations.

1.5 CHASE aims at continuously supplying high-quality products and services.

2. COMMITMENT TOWARDS EMPLOYEES

2.1 CHASE values its Employees as a key resource. An atmosphere of good Employee communication, involvement and responsibility is of central importance. The personal development and optimum use of Employee talents is encouraged.

2.2 Within CHASE, every Employee has an equal opportunity for personal recognition and career development, regardless of personal background or belief. The same policy applies to the recruitment of Employees. No form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated. An important part of this policy is selecting, rewarding and promoting people who demonstrate entrepreneurial behaviour and show individual initiative in combination with a high degree of knowledge and experience of the products, local markets and culture.

3. EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT TO COMPANY ASSETS & RESOURCES

Each Employee is responsible for the proper use, protection and conservation of CHASE assets and resources. This includes CHASE properties, assets, proprietary interests, financial data, trade secrets, corporate information and other CHASE rights. CHASE assets and resources as well as corporate opportunities are to be used solely to pursue and achieve CHASE goals and not for personal benefit. A person who believes he or she might have a conflict of interest should discuss the issue with the next level of management.

3.1 EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT TO INFORMATION SECURITY
CHASE regards information for the purpose of its business as a corporate asset which must be protected against loss of availability, infringement and improper disclosure. Accordingly, CHASE has adopted policies to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that information is protected.

4. HEALTH & SAFETY

4.1 WORKING CONDITIONS: CHASE provides healthy and safe working conditions for its Employees and will do all that is reasonable and practicable to:

4.1.1	protect the health and safety of its Employees and minimise any adverse effects on the environment;
4.1.2	implement working practices to prevent personal injury and damage to property;
4.1.3	limit the potential harm from known hazardous processes by maintaining safe systems of work, and by planning for emergencies  which may reasonably be foreseen;
4.1.4	involve its Employees in carrying out the policy, and make them aware of their own responsibility for the health and safety of themselves and others;
4.1.5	provide appropriate training to ensure the competence of staff who advise on occupational health, safety and environmental matters;

Employees at all levels are encourages to secure the maximum benefit from experience gained within CHASE in dealing with health and safety hazards and to apply the knowledge for the good of the business as a whole.

5. INTEGRITY OF RECORDS

Records of transactions should be maintained in an accurate, complete, transparent and timely manner in accordance with CHASE accounting principles. No unrecorded funds or assets should be established or maintained.

6. BRIBERY

Bribes in any form are unacceptable. Employees should immediately reject any demand or offer for such a bribe.

7. GIFTS & FAVOURS

In general, personal gifts or favours of any material commercial value may not be made or accepted by any CHASE Employee. An exception may be made with prior approval of the next level of management on the rare occasion when refusal of the gift or favour would be to the detriment of the legitimate business interests of CHASE. In determining if the exception should be made, local customs and traditions will be taken into account.

8. OUTSIDE INTERESTS

CHASE expects its Employees to be fully dedicated to the proper fulfilment of their duties and to avoid any conflict of their personal or business activities and financial interests with such commitment. Any engagement outside CHASE and any financial interest (direct or indirect such as via a family member or acquaintance) which could give rise to a conflict of interest should always be promptly disclosed to the next level of management. Employees are not allowed to have a direct or indirect financial interest in a supplier or competing Company with the exception of a financial interest in a publicly traded Company.

9. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

In their capacity as citizens, CHASE Employees are encouraged to participate in community activities unless such participation is inconsistent with employment duties to CHASE.

10. MILITARY & DEFENCE CONTRACTS

CHASE divisions do not produce products or render services specially designed or developed for military or defence purposes. 

11. POLITICAL PAYMENTS

CHASE has adopted the policy that CHASE divisions shall not make payments or donations, in money or in kind, to political parties, political organisations or individual politicians. In exceptional cases where approval has been obtained, such payments or donations will be subject to full compliance with applicable Laws and Legislative Regulations including rules regarding public disclosure.

12. HUMAN RIGHTS

CHASE is committed to the prevention of any violation of established Human Rights of any kind, particularly where child labour or undesirable forced acts are involved. CHASE will not trade with persons or parties involved in such activities nor with Countries whose Governments, identified by the United Nations, support such behaviour.

13. OECD GUIDELINES

On 26th June 2000, the OECD Guidelines for Multi-National Enterprises (MNEs) were formally adopted by 33 Countries, including all major developed Countries. The Guidelines are recommendations addressed by governments to MNEs, providing voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct. Although the Guidelines are not legally binding, OECD governments are committed to promoting their observance. CHASE welcomes the Guidelines and sees them as an important aid to the further implementation of its Ethical Business Policy.

14. OBSERVANCE OF THE ETHICAL BUSINESS POLICY

CHASE considers it essential that all Employees understand and comply with the Ethical Business Policy in order to foster collective responsibility towards society in achieving CHASE corporate objectives. Due observance of and compliance with the Ethical Business Policy by all CHASE Employees is mandatory.

15. IMPLEMENTATION

CHASE requires compliance with the Ethical Business Policy at all levels. Violation may lead to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. 

16. MODIFICATION

CHASE reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any provision of this Policy at any time without notice.

17. JURISDICTION

This Policy shall be governed by the laws of Scotland the parties hereto agree to submit exclusively to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Scotland