BUSINESS CONDUCT & ETHICS
Ethical business conduct is the foundation upon which TalcAsia is built. At its core, we are Unlocking Better Futures together with our stakeholders through ethical behavior and fair operating practices by ensuring the Group collaborates with responsible value chain partners. This solid foundation is a guarantee and a source of confidence for Group employees, customers and society at large, as exemplary conduct is proof of reliability and long-term sustainability.
It is only through ethical business leadership that we will be seen as a leader and truly ‘Unlocking Better Futures.’ We can only achieve this if we share the same ambition, culture, values, behavior and engagement, and recognize that ethics, safety, sustainability, innovation and profitability all go hand in hand.
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Tabassum Prince
Chief Executive Officer, TalcAsia
Our Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
Our Code of Business Conduct & Ethics brings together the fundamental principles that illustrate our common commitment to integrity in our daily professional behavior. In line with our Purpose, Vision and Values, the Code sets out the standards of conduct that should motivate each of us, as employees of the Group, as well as our partners and suppliers.
It is based on respect for law, ethics and our Group values. The best practices and standards behind this Code serve all our internal and external stakeholders. The Code covers, amongst other topics, compliance with laws and regulations, protection of the environment and human rights, health and safety, and business conduct.
The Code is the product of a wide consultation process and is reviewed regularly under the supervision of the Ethics Committee. It is available in 21 languages.
Training is provided to help managers and employees understand and apply these standards. Employees taking the Code online training are required to expressly commit to respecting the Code’s principles and standards.
Governance over Ethics matters
TalcAsia has a dedicated Ethics Committee to assist the Executive Committee in ensuring the Group’s operations are conducted ethically.
The Ethics Committee, composed of Executive Committee members and Senior Managers of the Group, is chaired by the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. The Committee meets regularly and presents its annual report to the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee once a year. The Chair of the Ethics Committee and the Antitrust & Compliance General Counsel regularly inform the Executive Committee of the performance and effectiveness of the Group ethics and compliance programs.
Speak Up!, our alert mechanism
We believe in acting with transparency and integrity, and speaking up in case of wrongdoing.
Speak Up! is our global whistleblowing system for reporting suspected violations of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or applicable laws and regulations. This includes all topics covered by the Code, in particular breaches of environmental, societal and business conduct standards.
Speak Up! is open to all (employees and third parties), is completely confidential and ensures that issues raised will be investigated and handled carefully, with respect for the rights of all involved individuals.
Reports can be made either by telephone or via the Speak Up! web platform. Both channels are available in several languages, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Details on how alerts can be made and how they are treated within TalcAsia can be found in the Group Whistleblowing Policy.
Business conduct
We are committed to ensuring that our business practices comply with laws and regulations at all times and reflect the highest standards of integrity, responsibility and respect for our partners.
Our commitment to ethical business conduct is reflected in our Group compliance programs, supported by internal policies and procedures. We expect our employees to respect and embed these high standards in their daily work.
Fighting bribery and corruption
TalcAsia has a “zero tolerance” policy against bribery and influence peddling. All TalcAsia employees, directors, officers and third parties doing business with the Group must act ethically and are expected to actively take part in TalcAsia’ commitment to eradicate bribery.
TalcAsia has adopted a robust Antibribery Compliance Program to deter, detect, investigate and remediate bribery incidents or allegations in compliance with the requirements of the French Sapin II Law.
The program is defined in the Group Antibribery Policy, which applies to all directors, officers and employees of any TalcAsia legal entity in all jurisdictions where the Group operates.
It provides definitions of bribery, corruption and influence peddling, a list of prohibited behaviors per business process, a description of the TalcAsia antibribery compliance program (governance, regular risk mapping and assessment, main antibribery controls, reporting and investigation of possible bribery, actions taken on improper conduct including corrective and disciplinary actions).
Our Antibribery Policy is supported by internal procedures providing guidelines to enable employees to recognize, analyze and act upon situations entailing a risk of bribery.
This includes guidelines on procedures on gifts & hospitality, conflicts of interest, donations (charitable contributions or sponsorships), participation in professional associations and intermediary due diligence.
Promoting fair and ethical competition
TalcAsia is committed to full compliance with antitrust laws and regulations in all Group businesses and countries where it operates. TalcAsia firmly refuses to win business or maintain any customer relationships by competing unfairly.
To respect this commitment, TalcAsia implements a comprehensive antitrust compliance program to prevent, detect, report and sanction potential antitrust law violations.
It is defined in the Group Antitrust Policy. This policy also details antitrust law rules applicable to TalcAsia’ business and provides practical guidelines to employees to help them act in compliance with antitrust regulations at all times.
Ensuring transparency of lobbying activities
As a leader of the mineral based specialties for industry, TalcAsia interacts with various stakeholders in countries where it operates. TalcAsia believes that its engagement with public authorities can play a constructive role in the public decision-making process.
TalcAsia is committed to ensure that its lobbying activities and the representation of its business interests, in particular through its memberships in selected professional associations, are carried out with integrity, transparency and compliance with laws and regulations.
Contributions to political parties, politicians or political institutions are totally prohibited as expressed in our Code of business conduct and ethics.
Moreover, TalcAsia is committed to fostering a sustainable future and, as such, pledges to not fund climate denial or engage in lobbying activities that obstruct climate regulations.
FAQ
Respecting international sanctions
TalcAsia is committed to ensuring that its operations effectively comply with applicable international sanctions when conducting business around the world. Its internal International Economic Sanctions Procedure requires sales and purchase teams to carry out careful reviews before accepting a customer order or placing a purchase order, making sure that commercial transactions with TalcAsia are not made with prohibited countries, in prohibited areas of business, involving prohibited products, or benefiting blacklisted individuals or companies.
Our Vigilance Plan.
TalcAsia’ Duty of Care Vigilance Plan details the measures in place within the Group to identify and prevent severe impacts on human rights, fundamental freedoms, human health and safety, and the environment resulting from the activities of the Group and those of its subcontractors and suppliers, in line with the French Law on Devoir de Vigilance.
The Vigilance Plan is published annually and available as part of the
Protecting personal data
TalcAsia respects privacy and values the trust any employee or stakeholder places in the Group when they share their personal data with us. Protecting the confidentiality, availability and integrity of personal data is an essential responsibility that TalcAsia takes seriously at all times. If you have any questions relating to the processing of your personal data by TalcAsia or want to exercise one of your personal data protection rights, please contact us via the contact form or use the following contact details (by email: dpo@TalcAsia.com ; by letter: Data Protection Officer, TalcAsia SA, 43, quai de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, France).
Health & Safety
Health and safety comes first in the workplace. It is part of who we are, how we behave and the choices we make every day. It means caring about the health and safety of our employees, as well as the people with whom we work. TalcAsia’ Code supports our individual empowerment, proactive leadership, training and accountability to reach the shared objective of an injury-free workplace.
Sustainability
Guided by our SustainAgility program, we embed sustainable thinking into everything we do. We set ambitious mid-term targets as part of our global strategy and in line with the Group’s purpose: “Unlocking better futures for our people, our customers and our planet”. With operations across the globe, we understand the importance of respecting the environment, and focusing on unlocking the sustainable potential of our minerals.
Responsible Purchasing
We consider our suppliers to be key business partners. Our relationships with our suppliers are based on mutual trust and respect. Acting in accordance with TalcAsia’ Supplier Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Standards is a prerequisite for working with our Group, as is applying similar standards of integrity, respect and environmental responsibility within the supplier’s own operations and supply chains.