The Code of Ethics transposes the mission, vision and values of Iren Group into conduct standards for all employees and for all those who work with and for the Group. It is also the cornerstone of the organisational model aimed at preventing the crimes laid down by Legislative Decree 231/2001, including the offence of corruption.
The Code of Ethics also focuses on the concept of sustainable development, considered fundamental by Iren Group, which believes that behaviours are becoming increasingly ethical and equitable starting from the pursuit of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Iren Group is committed to disseminate and promote awareness of the Code of Ethics to its employees and everyone who works for the Group. To this end, 400 employees were involved in training activities on the Code in 2021 and, following the update of the Code at the end of 2020, dissemination activity is ensured for all recipients, through the widest channels available, including the websites of Group Companies, the Intranet, notice boards and the suppliers’ portal.
The Code of Ethics defines the general conduct criteria regarding respect for the Constitution, laws, regulations and ethical principles, human rights and personal dignity, respect for and protection of the market, competition, and industrial property, protection of personal data, the correct use of technology and the computer system and environmental protection. The Code also regulates the criteria of conduct in relations with shareholders and personnel – with particular reference to personnel policies, occupational health and safety, duties of employees, conflicts of interest and use of company assets – in relations with customers, suppliers, external collaborators, public institutions, judicial agencies, public supervisory authorities, political and trade union organisations. Other specific rules of conduct concern confidentiality, internal management and communication of information, rewards and benefits, management of promotional activities, sponsorships and contributions, aspects of accounting, taxation and internal controls, reporting and whistleblowing.
Observation of the content of the Code of Ethics by all those who work on behalf of Iren is fundamental for the smooth operation, reliability and reputation of the Group.
Managers of corporate departments and units are committed to disseminate the knowledge and sharing of the rules of the Code of Ethics, to make employees and collaborators follow them, to encourage and protect reports of possible violations from any type of retaliation, as well as promptly reporting any reports received, taking the immediate and essential corrective actions required by the situation.
With regard to the external parties to whom the Code is addressed, the Group undertakes to introduce contractual clauses and/or to obtain signed declarations that formalise the acknowledgement, acceptance and compliance with the principles set out in the Code. Explicit acceptance of the Code of Ethics is required by all suppliers from the offer stage, without the possibility of exceptions or amendments. Companies participating in the tenders are required to report any attempt to disturb, any irregularities or misrepresentation by any competitor or party involved, during the tender and/or when performing the contract, to Iren Group company that calls the tender, as well as any anomalous request or demand from Group employees or anyone who can influence the decisions of the tender or the contract and its execution.
The Code of Ethics requires all the Group’s employees and collaborators to undertake to report to the Supervisory Body or their superiors or Iren’s Internal Audit and Compliance Department, depending on their area of competence, any possible violation of the Code of Ethics or any request for infringement that has been addressed to them. Such reports can also be made anonymously with all the guarantees provided by the law on whistleblowing.
The Group Companies and the Supervisory Bodies shall ensure that those who have made the reports are not subjected to retaliation, discrimination or, in any case, penalisation, whether direct or indirect, for reasons connected, directly or indirectly, to the report, thus ensuring the appropriate confidentiality.
Iren ensures the verification of each notice of breach of the Code of Ethics, received pursuant to the methods and through the channels specified by the Code, the assessment of the facts and the application of appropriate sanctions in case of breaches. In particular, it is the responsibility of the Supervisory Body to monitor, within the scope of its competence, compliance with the Code of Ethics, with a view to guarding against the risk of committing the offences envisaged by Legislative Decree 231/01 and formulate its own observations regarding alleged violations of the Code of Ethics of which it is aware, reporting any violations found to the competent company bodies.
Iren’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Committees Department has the task of promoting awareness, ensuring the updating, dissemination, interpretation and implementation of the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is available on the Group’s website in order to achieve maximum dissemination and understanding. Furthermore, to support ethical conduct and compliance with the law and Code of Ethics, Iren Group makes available information concerning laws, regulations and insights regarding quality, safety and environment to all stakeholders, both internal and external. This can be found on the company’s website and Intranet.
In 2021, five reports were made to some Supervisory Bodies of Iren Group, relating to possible violations of Model 231, which could also involve violations of the Code of Ethics. The checks carried out did not reveal any relevance of the reports, which were therefore archived.