Business ethics requirements
Ericsson places great emphasis on how we conduct business.
As a Supplier you must never offer, promise, give, request, agree, accept or receive any type of improper payments, gifts, sponsorships, donations, entertainment, hospitality, or improper benefits directly or indirectly to obtain or retain a personal or business advantage from or to any Public Official or Employee or representative of a state-owned or private enterprise. This may include payment requests related to fulfilment of legal requirements, like work permits.
We expect you to disclose to Ericsson if any Public Official or its family member has a controlling financial interest in your company or if you are in any other way affiliated with Public Officials.
Also, we expect you to disclose if you engage or employ any former employee of Ericsson to be directly involved in negotiating or fulfilling the contract with Ericsson or a family member of such employee, and of any other situation that may create a conflict of interest and cooperate with Ericsson to mitigate the potential conflict of interest.
Responsible sourcing of raw materials
The sourcing of raw materials is often connected to high-risk and conflict-affected areas. Specific due diligence measures are therefore required of you as a Supplier.
The due diligence shall be consistent with relevant parts of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, which means that all minerals and metals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas are covered by this requirement.
For more detailed guidance on how to fulfill this requirement, please find information on Responsible management of raw materials in our supply chain - Ericsson and Conflict minerals training - Ericsson
Anti-corruption
Ericsson has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of corruption and financial irregularity.
We expect our Suppliers to foster a culture of integrity based on transparency, compliance and ethical business practices.
Bribes and kickbacks
No one representing Ericsson may demand or accept any kind of bribe, kickback or any other unlawful or unethical benefit.
Gifts and entertainment
As a supplier, do not offer any gifts to Ericsson employees or any third party on the behalf of Ericsson that could be a violation of the Code of Conduct. Always be careful with business relations so that you do not get into situations with conflicts of interest.
Certain gifts or benefits are never allowed to be either offered or accepted; money, loans, gift vouchers, kick-backs, work for private purpose, unethical benefits, vacations, or similar benefits addressed to individuals.
Public officials
Stricter rules apply when we interact with government entities and their employees or representatives. Normally nothing of value should be promised, offered, or provided to a public official, either directly or indirectly.
Facilitation payments
Unofficial payments demanded by public officials intended to speed up or secure the performance of routine government actions (e.g. issuance of visas, permits or licenses) are not allowed by Ericsson.
Fraud and embezzlement
Ericsson does not accept any type of fraudulent behavior or embezzlement.
This means that no type of unfair or unlawful personal enrichment to the detriment of Ericsson is accepted. Such actions would normally be regarded as criminal.
Money laundering
Ericsson supports international efforts to combat money laundering and the funding of terrorist and criminal activities. It is therefore vital that employees are familiar with, and comply with all applicable laws related to such matters.
Questions
Before we conclude the Anti-Corruption area, please take a moment to think about what you have gone through. If necessary, go back to ensure you understood everything. You should see the questions as a guideline with selected examples and not a comprehensive list of items.
- Are your employees trained on the basics of Anti-Corruption and know how to recognize red flags of corruption?
- Does your Company provide guidance for employees about proper gifts and hospitality?
- Does your company have routines for preventing and handling corrupt behavior?
- How does your company manage expenditures relating to serving Ericsson’s contracts and ensure that they are accurately recorded in your books?