BE Group is supported by several policies and guidelines in its sustainability work: such as the Code of Conduct, core values, environmental policy, information policy, Safety first policy, anti-corruption policy, sanctions policy, the Code of Conduct for Suppliers and the whistleblower policy. Subsidiaries shall comply with these ethical guidelines and policies and the managing director of each company is responsible for their application in the operations.

Ethical guidelines

BE Group’s Code of Conduct is established by the Board of Directors and comprises all operations and employees within BE Group. The ethical guidelines provide guidance in the daily work to achieve the Group’s goals and point out everyone’s responsibilities towards business partners, owners, employees and society. The Code addresses issues of business ethics, anti-corruption, child labor, equality, work environment, career issues and competence development.

As a supplement to the Code of Conduct, an anti-corruption policy exist in which it is established that the company’s employees are not to pay, offer or accept bribes or other wrongful advantages, such as gifts or representation that are considered extravagant, with the purpose of influencing business decisions or securing undue benefits. In addition, BE Group shall not work with suppliers, sellers or partners that offer bribes or are involved in corrupt activities.

Respect for human rights is an important factor in achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals. Internally, the company’s Code of Conduct governs the rights of its employees, such as the right to be represented by a trade union in negotiations, reasonable terms of employment and pay, a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and zero tolerance of child labor.

Increased demands on suppliers

The company’s Code of Conduct for Suppliers addresses its minimum requirements and ambitions in areas such as human rights, health and safety, discrimination, working conditions, child labor, corruption, information on sanctions, import and export restrictions and environmental liability issues. The Code of Conduct is signed by the suppliers and is followed up by the purchasing organization. Part of the work for the future is introducing clearer processes for the screening and follow-up of suppliers.

BE Group’s sanctions policy covers the entire organization. It states that the company does not interact, directly or indirectly, with any person or entity listed as unauthorized on sanction lists and that the company does not conduct business, directly or indirectly, with countries or regions subject to sanctions.

All companies within BE Group are required to collect basic identification information about all business partners and to conduct sanction controls. If it is apparent, or there is suspicion, that a business partner has links to a high-risk country, is a listed person or that a transaction may otherwise violate applicable laws, this must immediately be reported and followed up.

External reporting channel

The company’s whistleblower service is published on the website and gives all employees the opportunity to anonymously report serious irregularities within the Group without risking retaliation or harassment. A whistleblower committee receives and handles possible cases together with an external advisory party. There is a whistleblower policy which is translated into the different languages. No qualified whistleblower cases were received during the year.

Risks and risk management

BE Group’s operations is affected by various external factors and is therefore constantly exposed to different risks. Effective risk management supports the company’s strategic targets and ensures business continuity even under changed circumstances. Group management reports ongoing risk issues to the Board, which has ultimate responsibility for the company’s risk management. This may apply, for example, to financial status and changes in the surrounding world.

Responsibility for risk management within the Group is governed by established policies and routines, which are continuously revised. By identifying, mapping and planning the Group’s risks, group management receives support in strategic decisions. Read more about the identified risks and risk management in the annual report on page 15-17.