Human rights violations

Refers to violations of fundamental freedoms and universal and inalienable human rights as set out in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. These rights include the rights to freedom, security, privacy, freedom of expression, religion, assembly and association. Also refers to violations of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work adopted in 1988.
Examples: slavery, forced labour, degrading treatment.

Conflict of interest

Refers to a situation in which an individual, such as a public official, employee or professional, has sufficient private or personal interest to give the appearance of seeking to influence how he or she discharges his or her duties.
Example: An employee who is also an elected official for a local authority deciding to use his or her influence in a public tender process of that authority in order to access the content of the bids submitted by competitor companies and so optimize the bid of his or her employer.

Discrimination and harassment at work

Refers to inappropriate and improper verbal or physical conduct against an employee due to their sex, age, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or political or philosophical opinions.
Examples: prejudice in the recruitment process, promotions, unfair dismissals, derogatory comments.

Discrimination and harassment at work

Refers to inappropriate and improper verbal or physical conduct against an employee due to their sex, age, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or political or philosophical opinions.
Examples: prejudice in the recruitment process, promotions, unfair dismissals, derogatory comments.

Favouritism

Refers to instances of obtaining or attempting to obtain from others an unwarranted advantage through an action that is unlawful or in contravention of regulations aimed at ensuring free access and equal playing field for those bidding for public tenders and public service contracts.
Example: The inclusion of specific clauses in the specification intended to favour a particular company.

Facilitation payments

Facilitation payments refer to the unofficial payment of small sums in exchange for performing a simple procedure or necessary action that the payer is entitled to expect, whether this entitlement is on legal or any other grounds.
Example: Payment intended as an incentive to public officials to issue a permit.

Restrictive practices

Refer to any discussions or agreements with competitors as to the price or terms of credit, bids, the awarding of contracts or clients, restricting production or distribution or boycotting suppliers or clients, any abuse of a dominant position, or any other conduct or transaction in contravention of competition law.
Example: Imposing different conditions on different commercial partners for equivalent services.

Environmental protection

Punishes the contravention of any environmental law or regulation, the contravention of Socotec's environmental and sustainable development policies, including the objectives of Socotec's Sustainable Development Charter, or a procedure relating to environmental concerns.
Example: Products or manufacturing processes used or implemented by the company that represent a serious risk in terms of public health or the environment.

Personal Data Protection - GDPR

Refers to the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR No. 2016/679), whereby no employee may gather, copy or use data without the prior authorisation of the data subject and without ensuring such collection is necessary.
Example: The distribution of personal data to a third party who does not have the authority to process it.

Trademark protection

Punishes the use or reproduction of SOCOTEC trademarks in an unofficial capacity, an act which constitutes infringement

Health, Hygiene, Safety and quality of life at work

Refers to any failure to meet the necessary standards in terms of performing one's duties in a healthy environment, including any threat to the health of employees, service providers or the public. Any breach of rules on health, safety and the environment or of standards for working in a safe environment.
Example: Non-compliance by the company with obligations to implement occupational risk prevention measures.

Influence peddling

Refers to instances of either directly or indirectly soliciting or offering tenders, promises, donations, gifts or benefits of any kind, at any time, for oneself or others, in order to abuse or having abused one's real or supposed influence with a view to obtaining from an authority or public administration preferential treatment, jobs, contracts or any other favourable decision.
Example: Making a promise to a judge in exchange for his or her use of influence, thus securing a favourable ruling or opinion.