This Business Code of Conduct (“Code”) outlines the principles and standards that govern Famic Technologies Inc.’s (“Famic”) interactions with suppliers, customers, employees, distributors, resellers (“Partners”) in Canada and abroad. It is designed to ensure that all parties uphold ethical behaviour, integrity, and compliance with Canadian laws and regulations in our business dealings. Adherence to this Code fosters transparency, trust, and mutual respect across our business relationships.
Famic is committed to conducting all of its activities in the areas of legality, integrity and transparency, as well as developing and maintaining specific policies, procedures and internal controls for the prevention and detection of corruption and influence peddling. This Code is thus one of the instruments of Famic's compliance commitment for the prevention and fight against corruption and trading in influence.
This Code applies to Famic’s Partners and their employees, subcontractors, or affiliates who engage in business with Famic. By conducting business with Famic, you agree to abide by the terms outlined in this document.
Famic is a global group operating in many countries either directly or through distributors where the culture and regulations for preventing and combating corruption can be more or less restrictive. However, Famic believes that the rules in the Code are based on good business ethics practices that go beyond national boundaries. Notwithstanding the different laws on the conduct of business enacted in different countries, this Code prevails over such laws.
Fairness and Non-Discrimination: Famic is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its business practices. Famic expects its Partners to uphold equal opportunity principles, ensuring that all their employees and partners are treated fairly, without discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
Social Media: All social media activities, including but not limited to LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram and Facebook, of Famic representatives and/or its Partners must be conducted with respect and not cause prejudice to Famic and/or its Partners.
Respect for Human Rights: We expect our Partners to treat people with respect and dignity, encourage diversity and diverse opinions, promote equal opportunity for all, and help create an inclusive and ethical culture.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations: All parties are expected to comply with applicable local, provincial, and federal laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to:
Competition Laws: Partners must avoid anti-competitive behaviour, including price-fixing or monopolistic practices.
Labour Laws: Compliance with labour laws, including fair wages, working hours, workplace safety, and the prohibition of child or forced labour.
Environmental Regulations: Adherence to all environmental laws, ensuring that business operations minimize negative environmental impacts.
Partners must establish and maintain fair employment practices, including providing equal opportunity in employment regardless of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, handicap, disability, genetic information, status as a veteran, military service or obligation and other characteristics protected by law. Partners must ensure fair wages, working conditions, and freedom from harassment or abuse in the workplace.
Freedom of Association: Famic expects Partners to respect the rights of workers to associate freely and communicate openly with management regarding working conditions without fear of harassment, intimidation, penalty, interference or reprisal. Famic expects Partners to recognize and respect the right of workers to exercise lawful rights of free association, including joining or not joining any works council, union or worker’s association of their choosing.
Fair Treatment of Employees: Partners’ employees shall be treated with respect and dignity and the Partners’ disciplinary policies and procedures shall be clearly defined and communicated to employees before application. There shall be no harsh and inhumane treatment, including any physical, sexual, psychological, verbal harassment or abuse, or corporal punishment; nor is there to be the threat of any such treatment.
Prohibition of Forced or Child Labour: There shall be no use of forced labour, including prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour, or other forms of forced labour. All work shall be voluntary, and workers shall be free to leave upon reasonable notice. No persons shall be employed under the age of 14 or younger than the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture, whichever is higher. Workers under the age of 18 shall not perform work that is likely to jeopardize the health or safety of young workers.
Health and Safety Standards: Partner shall provide a safe and healthy working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health rising out of, or linked with, or occurring in the course of work or because of the operation of the Partners’ facilities. Workers must have health and safety training, access to clean washroom facilities, and potable water.
Working Conditions and Hours: Partners must prioritize the health and safety of their employees and the communities they operate in. All Partners must adhere to occupational health and safety regulations, ensuring a safe work environment for all employees.
Product Safety: Partners must ensure that any goods provided meet all applicable safety standards and do not pose any undue risk to consumers or the environment.
Waste and Resource Management: Famic is committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices. We expect our Partners to support this commitment.
Environmental Protection: Partners should minimize waste, reduce emissions, and use resources efficiently in accordance with environmental best practices.
Sustainable Practices: Famic encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources, waste reduction programs, and eco-friendly packaging.
Famic has a zero-tolerance policy toward bribery and corruption. Famic holds to high standards and expects its employees and distributors who work on its behalf to meet the standards Famic sets for itself. To Famic, corruption relates to the offer, promise, donation, acceptance or solicitation of an undue advantage of any value (financial or non-financial), directly or indirectly, whatever the location, in violation of applicable laws, to encourage or reward an individual for acting or not acting within the scope of his/her functions. Famic expects its employees to systematically and categorically refuse all requests or offers of bribes, irrespective of their amount or value, by clearly stating the position and commitment of Famic regarding the prevention and fight against corruption.
Gifts, Hospitality, and Entertainment: Any exchange of gifts, hospitality and entertainment must be reasonable, transparent, and not intended to influence business decisions.
Prohibited Practices: Offering, giving, soliciting, or accepting bribes, kickbacks, or any form of unethical payments is strictly prohibited.
Famic is committed to maintaining the highest standards of business ethics, and expects the same from its Partners.
Honesty and Integrity: All transactions and communications must be conducted with honesty and transparency.
Fair Dealing: No Partner shall engage in unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices. This includes providing accurate information and maintaining the integrity of any financial, operational, or promotional data.
Conflicts of Interest: Partners must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could affect business decisions or relationships.
Maintain Accurate Records: Partners must maintain accurate and complete business records and must not alter any record entry to conceal or misrepresent the underlying transaction represented by it. All records, regardless of format, made or received as evidence of a business transaction must fully and accurately represent the transaction or event being documented. Records must be retained for the duration of the Partner’s relationship with Famic and for such additional periods as may be required by law, contract or policy.
Confidentiality: Any proprietary or sensitive information shared between parties must be treated as confidential and only used for its intended purpose.
Protecting Confidential Information: Partners must follow all applicable principles for confidential data protection and use personal data only when lawful and necessary to fulfill legitimate business purposes.
Respecting Intellectual Property Rights: All parties must protect sensitive and confidential information in compliance with Canadian data privacy laws such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Partners are expected to protect and respect all intellectual property belonging to Famic which shall include but not be limited to all of Famic’s patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how and other confidential or proprietary information. Partners have no right to use any intellectual property or other proprietary information belonging to Famic without prior written authorization from Famic.
Famic expects its Partners to demonstrate accountability and maintain a system to monitor compliance with this Code.
Internal Controls and Audits: Partners are encouraged to continuously strive to improve business practices in line with the evolving expectations for ethical, environmental, and social responsibilities.
Compliance Monitoring: Partners must have appropriate systems in place to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and this Code. Famic’s representatives must at all times strive to comply with all this Code as well as all other applicable Famic policies and all applicable laws, rules and regulations, violations of which by a Famic representative are grounds for disciplinary action including but not limited to termination of employment, directorship or contract.
Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with this Code may result in the termination of contracts, suspension of business relationships, or other appropriate actions. We reserve the right to audit our Partners' compliance with this Code and to take action where necessary.
Any violation of this Code should be reported promptly to the appropriate contacts within Famic. Famic encourages open communication and offers protection against retaliation for those who report concerns in good faith.
Reporting Mechanisms: Subject to legal restrictions applicable to such reporting, Famic expects its Partners to report illegal or unethical behaviour.
Protection Against Retaliation: Privacy and integrity are of the greatest importance to Famic at all times. This is particularly relevant when a Partner steps forward to report a concern or suspected breach of the Code, policies, or the law. Famic does not tolerate any retaliation against representatives from a Partner or Famic who, in good faith, voices their concern.
Handling Complaints: All reports that are submitted into are kept in a highly secure system and only a small team of trained investigators have access to the reports. The process follows all applicable whistleblowing and data privacy laws and personal data is deleted, all to ensure the reporter’s personal data is kept safe. All reports that are received will be evaluated and an internal investigation will be conducted if required. Relevant case details the reporter provides are recorded in a case management database and an investigator may contact the Partner or Famic for further details. The information provided is kept confidential. The reporter can be anonymous if local laws permit, however, all reporters are strongly encouraged to identify themselves to help facilitate an investigation.
Regular Review of the Code: Periodic control and compliance confirmation focusing on the deployment and execution of the Code will be requested by Famic to ensure the proper understanding and application of the said Code. Remedial actions will be applied if required.
Amendments and Updates: The Code may be subject to updates or amendments at any time. In any such event, the amendments and/or updates will be published through Famic’s website www.famictech.com.
By engaging in business with Famic Technologies Inc., you agree to abide by the principles and standards outlined in this Code of Conduct.
Distributor Periodic Declaration