Governance | Code of conduct
In April 2010 the Fibria Code of Conduct was concluded and approved by the Board of Directors. The document, which incorporates the ethical principles contained in the Company’s statements of Mission, Vision and Values, was prepared by a group made up of representatives of a number of different Fibria areas and applies to all employees, at all hierarchical levels, without exception. The full text can be encountered on the Company’s website: www.fibria.com.br. Every employee also receives a copy of the Code of Conduct and signs a protocol of receipt and understanding that is filed in the employee’s employment folder.
Seeking to improve governance and the application of the Code of Conduct, Management also approved the creation of the Fibria Conduct Committee. Made up of Company officers and managers, the Committee guarantees uniform application of the criteria used in resolving similar cases, verifies the validity of the issues that have been brought up, takes the necessary measures and replies to the complaining party, when identified. The Conduct Committee is responsible for dealing with the cases that have been sent to it, for establishing criteria for cases not foreseen under the Code and for the correct functioning of the Fibria Ombudsman’s system. Cases of fraud, diversion of funds and damages to property will be dealt with by the Internal Audit Committee. Impartiality in the carrying out of the issues in question and maintaining confidentiality of the identity of those who are involved are assured in all situations.
It is the role of all leaders in the Company, at all levels, to guarantee that their subordinates and contracted workers understand and apply the concepts of the Code of Conduct. Suggestions for improvements should be sent to the Conduct Committee through superiors or the Ombudsman’s channels. It is the responsibility of the Committee to analyze them and propose such suggestions to Fibria’s Board of Directors for inclusion in the next edition of the Code, if considered relevant.
‘How a company behaves is just as important or more important than how it is structured.’
Fibria’s Code of Conduct, among others, recommends the following attitudes:
- Ethical and honest conduct, including the ethical treatment of conflicts of interest, real or apparent, in personal and professional relationships, inside and outside the company.
- Behavior that is based on respect and the striving for the creation of value in the business relationships with customers, suppliers, neighboring communities, representatives of government, the advertising market and the press.
- Compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Immediate internal communication – to the appropriate people and hierarchical levels – of any violation of the Code of Conduct and the application of corrective treatment according to the case.
