Code of Business Conduct

  • I. Statement of Directors
  • II. QUALITANCE mission
  • III. Fundamental values
  • IV. Purpose and scope
  • V. RBA requirements

    I. Statement of Directors

    QUALITANCE QBS S.A. (further referred to as QUALITANCE) puts great value on the provision of innovative and quality services done in a responsible manner, with respect for its employees, the community in which we are activating and the environment.

    We promote a work environment that offers employees satisfaction and progress, that minimizes effects on the environment. At the same time, we promote correct business relationships with all our partners, the maintenance of a responsible supply chain with suppliers, in line with our principles.

    QUALITANCE promotes a culture nurturing behaviors, attitudes, activities, and processes that offer value by satisfying the needs and expectations of clients and of other relevant interested parties, in compliance with all business ethics rules, customer requirements, as well as legal requirements at national and international level.

    QUALITANCE has adopted and implemented the Code of Conduct of RBA (the Responsible Business Alliance) upon which this document is based (further referred to as the “Code” or the “Code of Conduct”).

    The Code of Conduct includes and supports the commitment to social responsibility, occupational health and security, environmental protection, and business integrity. The code helps us solve ethical issues according to our basic values. Our collective responsibility is to raise up to the fundamental values that we can freely comply with when the law guides us so, as well as in any other situation.  Our reputation depends both on all the above and on how we act each day.

    The basic principles of our team are continuous training, innovation, permanent improvement of processes and services, optimum communication both at an internal and external level.

    This Code of Conduct stands as guidance to do things better, or a constant dialogue with colleagues and superiors. 

    In case you have any concerns related to this Code of Conduct and its applicability, or in case you notice any deviation from this Code of Conduct, do not hesitate to discuss it with our management. Your action will remain confidential as the management tolerates no repression over an employee who, in good faith, signals or participates in an investigation related to the breach of this Code of Conduct.

    DIRECTORS,

    RADU CONSTANTINESCU & IOAN IACOB

    II. QUALITANCE mission

    Being always up to date with the latest advances in our field, we offer simple, high-quality software solutions to complicated issues to improve the business of our clients, be they small, medium-sized or large enterprises.

    III. Our fundamental values

    Our fundamental values are a set of principles that guide us in our activity, in our relationships with clients and with everyone  interested in our business. Such values enable the relationship between us and are key to our business success. We are responsible for the management of our activity and for our behaviors subscribing to the following  fundamental values:

  • Simplification means breaking down issues and offering simple solutions to clients. By simplification, we mean a way of thinking cultivated by QUALITANCE teams while undertaking the fact that the easiest solution is not always the best.
  • Commitment means complying with the promise made to each client. This is determined by discipline and responsibility up to the level of each specialist within the QUALITANCE teams.
  • Empathy describes the ability to understand the concrete needs of each client. We nurture empathy by understanding the joint mission and the role of each employee in our organization.
  • Leadership is a defining characteristic for QUALITANCE by which the company understands the conscious undertaking of liability as part of any team and the growth of an environment that encourages learning and respect towards all team members.

  • IV. Purpose and scope

    This Code of Conduct allows us to make decisions and act by applying our fundamental values and the legal compliance requirements that are necessary in fulfilling the mission and objectives of our organization.

    The Code helps us identify and solve problems referring to our workforce, employees’ health and security, environmental protection, and business integrity. The Code is a reflection of how we do business and how we work each and every day.

    All our employees and subcontractors must comply with the requirements of this Code of Conduct. Some of the requirements within this Code of Conduct refer to the suppliers of the entire supply chain.

    The Code of Conduct responds to legal applicable requirements and even exceeds them.

    The Code of Conduct sets forth the rules that describe the responsible conduct of employees. Non-compliance with values and requirements may have various disciplinary consequences, including the cessation of our collaboration agreement under severe circumstances.

    V. RBA requirements

     

    A. Work

    QUALITANCE is highly considerate of human resources, commits to complying with human rights and to treating employees with dignity and respect.

    This is valid for all employees, whether temporary, immigrants, students, contractual employees or regardless of their affiliation.

    1) Free job selection

    A.1.1. QUALITANCE definitely rejects the use, for the carry out of its own objectives:

  • forced labor,
  • enforced work (including for the payment of debts),
  • prisoners’ work without their consent,
  • work of slaves and trafficked people.
  • In addition to the above-mentioned activities, we also forbid the following situations: transportation, sheltering, recruitment, transfer or receipt of people by threats, force, coercion, deception or fraud to obtain and use the workforce.

    Local workers will be informed by QUALITANCE about key employment conditions, verbally or in writing (contract) in their native language and work agreements may be terminated by employees without any penalties.

    During the recruitment process, in case of employing foreign workers, they shall receive from QUALITANCE an employment (agreement) contract in their native language, before leaving their home country. Such contract (agreement) shall include the general terms of employment and the provision that they can resign without any penalties. No amendment/replacement shall be done to the contract after arriving to the host country, except if such amendments are made in compliance with local laws and if they offer equal conditions or even better than the initial ones.

    Upon the employment of foreigners, they will be provided verbal explanations referring to contractual terms, in a language that they understand, about:

  • the nature of the work,
  • working hours
  • annual leave and public holidays,
  • days off,
  • benefits (accommodation, transportation, uniform)
  • taxes and legal duties as well as their amount
  • salaries and salary deductions (including all components of social insurances) as well as their calculation,
  • any benefits given that are not legally required.
  • QUALITANCE supports and ensures the free will of employees to work, as well as their freedom to leave the workplace at any moment or to establish a date for waiving the work commitment, without being applied any penalties.

    Should QUALITANCE offer any personal loans to employees, such loans must be paid back within a quantum of maximum 10% of the basic gross monthly salary of the employee (including interests), within a maximum 6 months therefrom.

    Education loans given to employees must not exceed 10% of their gross basic annual salary. No loan repayment term shall exceed 1 year.

    A.1.2. QUALITANCE shall apply the same employment and labor conditions both to employees directly employed and to those employed through intermediaries. Employees are not requested to pay legal contributions, deposits or debts as part of the employment.

    QUALITANCE employees may resign under the terms provided by the law, without being penalized and without any threat. In case of voluntary or involuntary termination of employment agreement, the employee will be paid for all worked hours.

    Compliance with work conditions will be monitored in a planned and periodic manner and analyzed during management analysis meetings.

    A.1.3. QUALITANCE does not require employees to pay expenses or other fees related to employment. In case of use of recruitment agents that may charge payments to the employer, as employment expenses or other fees, such payments will be repaid to employees by QUALITANCE.

    A.1.4. QUALITANCE shall not hold or will destroy, dissimulate, seize or refuse the access of employees to their identity documents or stay documents, such as identification documents issued by the State, passports or work permits, except if the holding by the employer of work permits is required by the law.

    QUALITANCE does not work with workforce recruitment agencies that do not comply with previous requirements referring to documents.

    A.1.5. The management of QUALITANCE does not impose unreasonable restrictions to the freedom of movement at the workplace or to the entry into and exit from offices and installations made available by the organization and does not limit the access to basic freedoms.


    2) Young workers

    A.2.1. QUALITANCE does not admit the use of child labor in any compartment of its activity. ”Child” means an employee below 15 years of age, or below the legal age limit for employment (in Romania, 16 or, by exception, 15 years with the consent of parents or legal representatives, according to art. 13 of the Labor Code).

    A.2.2. QUALITANCE monitors the requirements referring to child labor and applies proper procedures in this respect.

    A.2.3. If underage workers are employed (below 18 years of age), they must not carry out any activities to the detriment of their health, such as night shifts, overtime or working in risky areas for occupational health and security.

    A.2.4. Rights of those that study, be they interns or apprentices, are protected, according to all laws and regulations in force, and they receive remunerations equivalent to other beginner employees that carry out similar activities. QUALITANCE encourages and supports both the completion of basic studies and the permanent training of its employees.

    QUALITANCE keeps up to date records of students and has collaborations with partners in the education field.

    QUALITANCE undertakes to offer to students (or to possible apprentices) only internships and activities that supplement classes in their field of study or that help them study for a new vocation.

    Assuming that they will hire as apprentices, the maximum term of the apprenticeship will be of 6 months, should the worker be paid below the minimum wage.

    The use of an agency or intermediary to recruit, hire, control student employees, interns or apprentices is not allowed.

    The work of student employees, possible interns or apprentices is voluntary (including the selection of the learning location).

    QUALITANCE does not use, in any situation, student employees, interns or apprentices to cover the lack of workers in the workplace.

    3) Working hours

    QUALITANCE is interested in obtaining high productivity, low staff fluctuation, as well as in avoiding injuries and professional illnesses of employees. For this purpose, QUALITANCE has established the optimum working hours in compliance with the law and with the requirements of the RBA Code of Conduct.

    A3.1

    Weekly working hours of each employee shall not exceed the legal limit. The work duration of Qualitance employees is 8 hours/day, respectively, 40 hours per week.

    In exceptional situations, such as the need to carry out urgent works, upon the request of QUALITANCE, employees may perform overtime of maximum 8 hours/week, resulting in a maximum of 48 working hours each week.

    A.3.2. Every 5 days, employees are entitled to 2 days of rest, on Saturday and Sunday, according to the national law in force.

    A.3.3. QUALITANCE shall monitor and control employees’ working hours. The specialized Human Resources department shall precisely determine, communicate, register, manage and control working hours, including overtime, with detailed and trustworthy registrations of working hours within and outside business hours.

    When an act of non-compliance is detected, corrective action is implemented, and the progress towards the achievement thereof is documented.

    A.3.4. QUALITANCE employees are entitled to rest leaves, medical leaves, and maternity (or paternity) leaves, public holidays, days off, under the terms provided by the law and the Internal Regulation. Employees have the right to daily breaks for lunch and rest.

    4) Salaries and benefits

    QUALITANCE offers its employees remuneration and corresponding social advantages according to the law in force. All employees receive a remuneration above the minimum wage provided by the law.

    A.4.1. Salaries for normal working hours and overtime are correctly and timely calculated and paid.

    QUALITANCE ensures the payment of salaries at the deadlines provided in the individual labor agreements.

    The equal labor, equal payment principle is applied for any activity carried out at QUALITANCE.

    All employees are paid at least the value of the wage provided in the individual labor agreement for normal working hours.

    The time allotted to meetings, trainings, and other similar activities is paid at the same level as the basic activity.

    Overtime and other compensations and benefits are paid in addition to the normal working hours.

    The increment for overtime given to employees shall not exceed 75% of the basic salary.

    A.4.2. Each month, employees shall receive written and sufficient information to verify the compliance of the salary with the work carried out.

    For each monthly paycheck, employees shall receive a clear salary payslip that includes sufficient information to verify the accuracy of the compensation for the work carried out and all contributions according to applicable laws. 

    The remuneration for the temporary, delegated or subcontracted workforce shall be done according to the law in force.

    A.4.3. QUALITANCE shall not apply wage cuts for disciplinary reasons.

    A.4.4. QUALITANCE shall ensure to all team members the payment of social contributions according to the law.

    Wage cuts according to the law are properly calculated by the specialized department and notified to the National Agency for Fiscal Administration at the terms established according to the law.

    5) Treatment of humans

    A.5.1. Any maltreatment, inhuman and/or degrading treatment is forbidden. This category of forbidden behavior also includes sexual harassment, sexual abuse, body punishments, mental or physical coercion and any threat of such treatments. In case of misconduct, sanctions related to disciplinary misconduct provided by the Internal Regulation shall apply.

    A.5.2. All disciplinary procedures that sustain such requirements are clearly defined and communicated to employees. QUALITANCE management is extremely interested in assuring decent and human work conditions and a proper treatment of workers. Thus, it allots all necessary resources and has established a proper organizational framework.

    A.5.3 Disciplinary misconducts are registered, according to internal procedures, and are analyzed by the Disciplinary Research Commission of QUALITANCE.
    Registrations of disciplinary misconducts are communicated to the employee in a verifiable manner.
    Registrations of disciplinary misconducts are signed and confirmed by the employee.

    6) Non-discrimination

    A.6.1. QUALITANCE forbids staff harassment and discrimination. QUALITANCE shall not exercise and shall not allow any discrimination referring to: -race; -skin color; -age; -sex; -sexual orientation, identity and expression; -ethnicity or national origin; -handicap; -pregnancy; -religion; -political affiliation; -affiliation to a trade union; -status of war veteran; -protected genetic information; -civil status during employment; in human resources practices, such as salary, promotions, rewards and access to training.

    During the recruitment process, no improper or irrelevant questions to evaluate if the employee is fit for the job shall be addressed. The information found by the QUALITANCE recruitment team during the recruitment process, i.e. during the notice is exclusively based upon candidate’s ability to comply with the requirements of the desired job. Recruitment announcements and related information are not discriminating.

    Job descriptions can include references to occupational qualifications, and not to personal characteristics.

    Existing or potential employees are not subject to medical examinations that might be used in a discriminating manner.

    No employee or candidate for employment shall be subject to medical examinations (except for those expressly provided by the law in force), to pregnancy tests or physical skills tests that may be used in a discriminating manner.

    A.6.2. Internal policies and procedures of QUALITANCE are periodically analyzed and amendments thereto are communicated to employees and workforce collaborators.

    A.6.3. QUALITANCE shall make available to employees, upon request, a reasonably arranged area for religious practices.

    The reasonable area for religious practices and the adjustment to the work environment are ensured to allow the employee to comply with their religious beliefs, either at work or during the job recruiting process.

    QUALITANCE makes available to employees a mechanism for the receipt of requests for pray areas.

    7) Freedom of association

    A.7.1. QUALITANCE sustains and respects employees’ right to set up or to be part of trade unions, at their own discretion, to collectively negotiate and participate in peaceful meetings. Moreover, QUALITANCE respects employees’ right to refrain from participating in such activities.

    Employees and their representatives have the right to communicate and openly share with the management of the organization their ideas and concerns related to work conditions and managerial practices, without any fear of being subject to discriminations, punitive measures, intimidations or harassments.

    Workers can set up or register in a trade union, as they wish.

    QUALITANCE shall not interfere with the trade union or finance it.

    A.7.2 QUALITANCE respects employees’ right to collective negotiation or to refrain therefrom.

    Legal rights of all workers are complied with, either if they have been collectively negotiated or if they have refrained from such association.

    QUALITANCE participates in good faith in the collective negotiation process with employees’ representatives.

    A.7.3 QUALITANCE respects employees’ right to participate in peaceful meetings, as well as their right to refrain from such meetings, and makes available to them all the necessary premises.

    The individual or collective right of workers to express, promote, pursue, and defend their interests or ideas, or to refrain from this are guaranteed during such meetings.

    A.7.4 Representatives of employees and trade union leaders will not be subject to discrimination.

    QUALITANCE shall not dismiss, shall not take any disciplinary measures or threaten employees to encourage or discourage them to form or join a trade union or to refrain from doing so.

    B. Health and security

    To achieve organizational targets, to ensure a higher quality of offered services, to daily select and collaborate with the staff, QUALITANCE supports and implements any necessary measures which aim at minimizing the number of work accidents and professional illnesses and at ensuring a healthy and secure workplace. QUALITANCE puts great value on and encourages continuous employee communication and training, in order to identify and solve occupational health and security issues.

    1) Occupational security

    B.1.1 QUALITANCE controls occupational health and security risks. These have been identified and evaluated by qualified specialists. Moreover, QUALITANCE sustains the implementation of necessary administrative measures, the application of preventive maintenance, safe work procedures, as well as the signaling or closing of dangerous premises.

    Employees are periodically trained in occupational security and are encouraged to communicate to QUALITANCE any concern related to occupational security. 

    All authorizations and licenses needed by QUALITANCE must be obtained and updated within scheduled time-intervals.

    B.1.2. QUALITANCE ensures keeping under control of the exposure of employees to possible occupational hazards (e.g., electrical sources, fire, vehicles and fall hazards).

    B.1.3. If the periodical analysis of occupational health and security risks results in the need for personal protection equipment (PPE), the management of QUALITANCE shall ensure such equipment. 

    In the case of pregnant women and nursing mothers, QUALITANCE shall ensure additional protection as to the work conditions, according to the law in force. Under these circumstances, pregnant women and mothers of small children are ensured workplaces that are not dangerous for their health and security. QUALITANCE ensures, upon request, corresponding premises for nursing mothers, and nursing breaks are paid.

    2) Preparing for emergency situations

    B.2.1. QUALITANCE is concerned with potential emergency situations and events as well as with the organization’s ability to respond.

    In case potential emergency situations are identified and assessed, QUALITANCE will prepare emergency plans and related procedures that will decrease the impact of such emergency situations. Such plans are periodically verified through simulations of emergency situations.

    Employees are periodically trained for emergency situations, and QUALITANCE has implemented warning, notification, and evacuation means. Work areas have proper fire detection and extinction equipment, as well as properly signaled safety exits. 

    Upon the occurrence of emergency situations and events, QUALITANCE has prepared continuity plans which aim at minimizing human, environmental, material or computer losses. All permits and licenses for activities and equipment must be kept up to date.

    B.2.2. QUALITANCE offices have proper and efficient fire detection systems, alarm and firefighting systems.

    B.2.3. Possible emergency situations are identified and evaluated. Proper and efficient training and response to emergency situations programs and procedures are drafted.

    B.2.4. Emergency exits are easily accessible and properly signaled.

    B.2.5. Employees must carry out simulations of emergency situations, for which records must be kept, periodically and in a planned manner.

    B.2.6. An intervention team trained in emergency situations (ERT) and equipped with PPE (protection equipment) operates at the QUALITANCE office.

    3) Work accidents and professional illness

    To avoid work accidents and professional illness, QUALITANCE has ordered the issue and implementation of procedures and systems designed to prevent, manage, monitor and report possible incidents of this type. Such procedures include provisions referring to encouraging employees to notify such issues, to the classification and registration of accidents or professional illness situations, to ensure proper medical treatment, to analyze and apply corrective measures and to facilitate the return of affected employees to the workplaces.

    B.3.1. QUALITANCE holds all authorizations and licenses requested by law in order to be able to operate. Authorizations are periodically analyzed to be renewed.

    In case of work accidents or professional illness, trial reports are prepared.

    B.3.2. All incidents, accidents, and professional illnesses are investigated and corrective actions are taken by the competent departments of QUALITANCE.

    B.3.3. First aid is offered under optimum conditions and by a sufficient number of trained and identifiable persons (e.g. name tags).

    B.3.4. QUALITANCE offices are equipped with first aid kits which are verified on a monthly basis.

    4) Industrial hygiene

    QUALITANCE has ordered the identification and evaluation, respectively the maintenance under control of risks of exposing employees to chemical, biological and physical agents by specialists that are qualified in this respect. Possible risks identified are eliminated or controlled. If risks cannot be properly controlled, employees will be provided with individual protection equipment. Employees exposed to such risks are trained with regard to such risks by means of educational materials.

    B.4.1. QUALITANCE holds all the authorizations and licenses requested by law in order to be able to operate. If upon the evaluation of exposure risks of employees to chemical, biological, and physical agents there is sufficient probability of occurrence thereof, QUALITANCE will make the necessary verifications and will prepare trial reports for possible exposure to industrial hygiene risks.

    B.4.2. Controls concerning the exposure of employees to chemical, biological, and physical agents are properly implemented. Possible risks are eliminated or controlled through proper design as well as through technical and administrative controls.

    5) Challenging physical work

    QUALITANCE has ordered the identification and evaluation, respectively the keeping under control of risks of exposing employees to chemical, biological, and physical agents by specialists that are qualified in this field.

    QUALITANCE has evaluated and identified possible security risks associated with the work equipment used by employees and has ordered the keeping of such risks under control by implementing proper administrative measures.

    6) Protection equipment systems

    Work equipment used by QUALITANCE employees is verified in order to identify and evaluate possible security risks. Identified risks are kept under control through proper administrative measures.

    B.6.1. QUALITANCE will obtain the necessary authorizations for work equipment, which must be updated, if necessary.

    B.6.2. A proper and efficient security program is implemented so that employees can work under security conditions.

    7) Sanitation, food, and living

    B.7.1. QUALITANCE employees have access to clean sanitary installations, freshwater, proper installations and devices to keep and prepare food, proper locations for having lunch.

    B.7.2. The nature of the activities carried out by QUALITANCE does not require providing team members with access to sleeping facilities. However, it benefits from creating an adequate environment under the form of relaxation and recreation areas.

    Necessary licenses and authorizations are obtained by QUALITANCE, where necessary. If accommodation facilities are made available to employees, they shall comply with the corresponding hygiene conditions.

    B.7.3. QUALITANCE has no cafeteria. If commissioned, the cafeteria will be kept clean and will comply with hygiene conditions according to the law in force.

    8) Communication on security and health

    QUALITANCE ensures the periodical training of employees in occupational health and security. Relevant information concerning occupational health and security is displayed in the workplace.

    Employees are encouraged to express their concerns referring to health and security.

    C. Work environment

    The provision of world-class software-related services also involves environmental responsibilities. QUALITANCE acts to reduce negative effects on community, environment and natural resources through measures involving the optimum use of resources and management of wastes and emissions. For this purpose, the organization has established, documented, implemented, maintained, and improved an environmental protection management system according to SR EN ISO 14001 certified by Certind SA, an accredited certification organism.

    1) Environmental permits and reporting

    C.1.1. QUALITANCE holds all the necessary authorizations and licenses to carry out its activities. According to the law in force, the activities and operations carried out by QUALITANCE do not require an environmental authorization or a statement on the environmental fund.

    C1.2 QUALITANCE prepares and sends, within legal terms, all reports provided by the law in force.

    2) Preventing pollution and decrease of resources

    QUALITANCE sustains the optimum use of resources, the decrease of consumption of energy and water, the decrease of the waste rate, as well as the increase of recycling and reuse of materials. To comply with these objectives, QUALITANCE has approved, implemented, monitored and improved environmental management programs.

    3) Hazardous substances

    C.3.1. QUALITANCE is concerned about the possible danger of releasing into the environment certain chemical products or dangerous materials, even if, according to the nature of its activities, it does not use such materials throughout the provision of services.

    C.3.2. To avoid the release into the environment of certain substances included in electronic equipment of products that have been decommissioned, the equipment or products must be recycled or eliminated by specialized companies based upon service agreements. Until the takeover by specialized companies, decommissioned electronic equipment and products must be handled, stored, and transported in a controlled manner.

    4) Solid waste

    By implementing an environmental management system, solid wastes resulting from own activities must be identified, evaluated and managed.

    5) Atmospheric emissions

    C.5.1. QUALITANCE services provision processes release no polluting agents into the atmosphere.

    C.5.2. QUALITANCE services provision processes do not generate noise above the normal limits of office activities. The environmental noise on QUALITANCE premises is monitored.

    6) Restriction of materials

    The nature of the activities and operations carried out by QUALITANCE does not involve the manufacturing of products or the use of restricted or forbidden substances according to the law in force.

    7) Management of water resources

    Production processes of QUALITANCE do not involve the use of water for technological purposes. 

    For hygienic and food purposes, water in the urban network is used.

    QUALITANCE management is interested in avoiding access to the wastewater collection system of contaminated substances. 

    QUALITANCE controls possible wastewater contamination channels by ensuring the permanent cleaning of sanitary equipment and by training employees in this respect.

    8) Energy consumption and release of greenhouse gases

    C.8.1. Activities that directly or indirectly produce greenhouse gas are kept under control.

    C.8.2. Various measures to decrease the consumption of energy and fuels are applied in order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and their effects are visible at the level of costs.

    D. Ethics

    QUALITANCE management undertakes social responsibilities and the success of the organization on the market. Thus, the organization and employees will comply with the most exigent ethical rules.

    1) Business integrity

    QUALITANCE management and employees comply with the most exigent ethical rules in all business relationships.

    QUALITANCE management does not allow gifts accepted or offered in exchange of favors, corruption, extortion of funds, misappropriation of funds.

    QUALITANCE develops and maintains all its business relationships in a transparent manner and are accurately registered in the organization’s accounting records.

    QUALITANCE complies with the anti-corruption law.

    Small attentions will be accepted and/or offered strictly under procedural conditions and within the procedural amount.

    2) No undue advantage

    QUALITANCE employees must not promise, offer, accept or authorize gifts, bribe or other means to obtain undue or illegal advantages.

    It is also forbidden to promise, to offer, to authorize, to give or accept any object of value, directly or through intermediaries, to obtain or keep a market, to transfer the business to someone else or to obtain illegal advantages.

    3) Disclosure of information

    QUALITANCE management publishes, according to the law in force and to the RBA code requirements, information referring to:

  • the use of the workforce; 
  • legal practices related to occupational health and security; 
  • work environment;
  • commercial activities;
  • organizational structure;
  • financial status.
  • The forgery of registers, untruthful statements referring to conditions and practices used by the supply chain shall not be accepted.

    Public information never includes false statements about products, services, opportunities, QUALITANCE`s role and position on the market.

    Public statements of QUALITANCE are not false or misleading.

    4) Intellectual property

    QUALITANCE managers take information security management in all its aspects very seriously. Thus, the organization has established, documented, implemented, maintained and improved an information security management system according to SR EN ISO 27001 certified by Certind SA, an accredited certification body.

    We support compliance with intellectual property rights. Any transfer of technology or knowledge in which QUALITANCE is involved will be done so as to protect intellectual property rights.

    Information referring to clients is protected.

    5) Fairness of business, correct promotion, and faithful competition

    D.5.1. QUALITANCE management sustains the application of fairness in commercial practices. Hence relationships with suppliers and clients must be profitable for both parties.

    No misleading publicity practices or the publicity underlining the defects and real or supposed problems of competitors’ products are allowed for.

    Information referring to clients must be classified as confidential.

    D.5.2. No secret agreements with other companies are admitted. Any deviation from this by managers, employees, business partners shall result in the interruption of work or business relationships.

    6) Protecting the identity and fighting against punitive and discriminating measures

    QUALITANCE management promotes the compliance with ethical aspects by all employees, regardless of their position. Thus, analyzing and taking the proper measures in case of deviation from the code of ethics is very important. 

    All employees must inform QUALITANCE management as soon as possible about:

  • any deviation from ethical rules,
  • any reprehensible behavior,
  • any breach of occupational health and security procedures,
  • any deviation from environmental protection procedures,
  • any incident on information security,
  • any incompliant service or form of non-compliance,
  • which are observed throughout Qualitance activities at an employee or manager, officer or official court.

    QUALITANCE management guarantees the confidentiality, anonymity, and protection of the people that have disclosed the above-mentioned information or any other information relevant for the improvement of the organization’s activity and image.

    QUALITANCE management supports both employees and suppliers that share their preoccupations referring to the integrity of the organization and employees thereof and assures them that they will not be subject to punitive or discriminating measures.

    7) Responsible procurement of minerals

    QUALITANCE management is concerned with the breach of human rights by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries, financed from the production of tantalum, pewter, tungsten, and gold.

    QUALITANCE does not use such metals in the provision of services, yet takes reasonable notification measures in selecting suppliers of electrical equipment to comply with this requirement.

    8) Confidentiality

    QUALITANCE management undertakes to comply with reasonable expectations with regard to the personal information of business partners, including suppliers, clients, employees.

    QUALITANCE complies with the legal regulations and requirements of the international standard ISO 27001 on information security when personal information is collected, kept, processed, transmitted, and shared.

    E. Management systems

    QUALITANCE has established, documented, implemented, maintained, and improved an integrated management system in compliance with the requirements of SR ENISO 9001:2015; SR EN ISO 14001:2015; ISO EIC 27001: 2013 and RBA Code of Conduct, Version 6.0: 2018.

    As provisioned by  the requirements of RBA Code of Conduct, Version 6.0: 2018, the integrated management system ensures:

  • compliance with laws and regulations in force and with the requirements of clients referring to the supply and exploitation of QUALITANCE products;
  • the compliance with the requirements of RBA Code of Conduct, Version 6.0: 2018;
  • the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of operational risks related to the application of RBA code of conduct;
  • continuous improvement.

  • 1) Company commitment

    QUALITANCE management has made a statement of principles referring to social and environmental responsibility that also includes a permanent improvement commitment.

    The statement is periodically analyzed, communicated to employees, and displayed in the workplace.

    2) Management responsibility and liability

    QUALITANCE management has appointed representatives to apply, maintain, and improve the management system and related programs. For the purpose of permanent compliance and consistent improvement, QUALITANCE management regularly analyzes the management system of the 4 components (Work, Health and Security, Environment and Ethics).

    3) Legal and client requirements

    QUALITANCE has documented and implemented procedures for the identification, communication, and compliance with the applicable law, with the clients’ requirements and with the requirements of RBA Code of Conduct. Such procedures are periodically analyzed and updated.

    4) Risk management and evaluation

    QUALITANCE has documented and implemented procedures for the identification, evaluation and diminish of risks associated with the compliance with the law, environmental protection, occupational health and security, work and ethical practices related to own activities. They are periodically analyzed and updated.

    Depending on the relative importance of risks, diminishing, supervision and control measures were adopted.

    The areas where the evaluation of occupational health and security risks and environmental risks applies are production, sanitary installations, kitchen, dining room.

    QUALITANCE has documented and implemented procedures for the evaluation of compliance with legal requirements.

    5) Improvement objectives

    QUALITANCE management has established and applied a system of documented objectives and targets to improve the social and environmental performance of the organization. During the management analysis meetings, the status of such objectives and targets is periodically analyzed.

    6) Training

    QUALITANCE management has established and documented training programs for managers and employees. Such programs refer to professional activities, principles, and procedures of the integrated management system, improvement objectives, compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. They are periodically analyzed and updated.

    7) Communication

    QUALITANCE management has established and documented clear and precise procedures for the communication of policies, practices, expectations and organizational performances of employees, suppliers, and clients. Such procedures are periodically analyzed and updated.

    8) Feedback, participation, and claims of workers

    QUALITANCE management permanently evaluates how employees understand the practices and requirements of this code. They also ask for the employees’ opinions related to this code, encouraging and sustaining their permanent improvement.

    9) Audits and assessments

    QUALITANCE management has established and documented integrated management system auditing procedures. Such procedures are periodically analyzed and updated.

    The audit schedule evaluates compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements of this code and of the clients’ contractual requirements with regard to social responsibility and environmental protection.

    10) Procedure for taking corrective measures

    QUALITANCE management has established and documented correction procedures and corrective actions of non-compliances identified during evaluations, inspections, investigations, as well as during internal and external audits. Such procedures and corrective actions are periodically analyzed and updated.

    11) Documentation and archiving

    QUALITANCE management has established and documented procedures for the control of documents and registers regarding the compliance with confidentiality legal requirements imposed by data protection and privacy policies. Such procedures are periodically analyzed and updated.

    12) Responsibility of suppliers

    QUALITANCE management will communicate to suppliers the requirements of this code and will verify their compliance with these requirements.