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Compliance
Conducting responsible business
A strong compliance setup is necessary for conducting responsible business. The cement and mining industries entail compliance-related risks. To prepare for and mitigate risks in an optimal way, we continuously work to fully understand and act in compliance with laws and issues related to anti-corruption, international sanctions and human rights.
Acting in accordance with the law, following our Code of Conduct and adhering to applicable policies forms the basis of the way we do business. We work with stakeholders through our compliance programme, and we expect everyone affiliated with us to do the same. We recognise that working in the cement and mining industries implies operating in countries with compliance-related risks, which is why we constantly monitor our business and implement mitigating actions to reduce those risks.
We stress the importance of our Code of Conduct across the organisation, and each employee receives training on how to apply anti-corruption legislation applies in our business conduct and in our day-to-day operations. Download the Code of Conduct →
Focus areas
Encouraging transparency and awareness
For FLSmidth, compliance means focusing on four core areas of operation:
Our activities involving compliance include the six elements of the UK Bribery Act’s guidance document: Risk assessment; policies and organisation; top-level commitment; due diligence; communication; and training, monitoring and review.
We believe that broader coalitions can make the greatest impact in avoiding corruption. We are a founding member of Compliance in Mining Network (CiMN), which is a collaboration between companies in the mining industry. CiMN aims to improve compliance standards within the industry. In addition, FLSmidth is a member of the Fight Against Facilitation Payments Initiative (FAFPI), which is a collaboration between Danish companies aiming at stopping the use of facilitation payments.
Whistleblower hotline
FLSmidth maintains a global whistleblower hotline that allows employees, business partners and other relevant stakeholders to anonymously report potentially serious allegations concerning financial crimes, such as bribery or fraud, environmental violations, breaches of competition law and human rights violations. The whistleblower hotline is hosted by a third party and allows for fully anonymous and encrypted reporting in several languages.
- Risk assessment
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In our approach to compliance, we take risks to our business very seriously. This means that we regularly conduct assessments of the compliance-related risks, including those related to human rights, as well as social and labour rights, that we face, and adjust the focus and resources accordingly. We use an inclusive approach that engages our employees, focusing on data and adjusting our program as needed.
- Policies and organisation
- As an organisation, we must ensure that a clear direction is set and that our business is equipped with appropriate compliance tools. Our team of 13 regional compliance representatives are all company lawyers trained in key compliance skills, and they are responsible for implementing compliance skills in their respective regions. A group of key finance and HR managers are trained to be responsible for investigating relevant whistleblower cases in their fields of work in certain regions of the world.
- Top-level commitment
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Our Board of Directors and Executive Management are highly engaged in the compliance programme. Their direct involvement has been expanded as has the level of reporting. Group Compliance reports on a regular basis to the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Group CEO.
Our Board of Directors oversees and approves key strategic decisions, such as long-term target setting and incentive schemes and, through the technology committee, oversees our R&D strategy to support our MissionZero sustainability programme. The Board receives quarterly updates on the progress of the programme. Our Group Executive Management (GEM) is responsible for the progress of MissionZero and our performance with environment, social and governance (ESG) matters. It plays an active role in developing the strategic direction of the sustainability programme and cascading priorities across the organisation. Sustainability is therefore also an integral element of the long-term incentive plan for our senior management.
Read more about our company governance.
- Due diligence
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Due diligence is one of our major focus areas within compliance. For many years, we have screened relevant business partners, and our due diligence programme provides a framework for doing so. All sales agents, as well as many customers and contractors, go through a rigorous due diligence screening and approval procedure. The screening covers trade sanctions, corruption, human rights violations, environmental issues, litigation cases, adverse media, basic company registration documentation, and much more. Due diligence is an integrated part of the sales process in FLSmidth. All projects over a certain threshold undergo a due diligence screening, with a strong focus on human rights violations. The process involves a presentation of the findings and reaching an agreement with the relevant business colleagues in FLSmidth on mitigating or remedial actions.
In 2023 we conducted 111 due diligence screenings. Find out more in the latest Sustainability Report.
- Communication
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Good communication is key to the successful implementation of compliance initiatives and to ensuring that the whole company understands the need for them. Further, communication can also help employees maintain a positive work environment. Our whistle-blower hotline is a tool for employees to report concerns in a confidential manner. It strengthens our ability to conduct internal investigations.
More people feel comfortable using the formal hotline rather than email or similar channels, and the whistle-blower policy protects reporters against retaliation. It is a priority to us that our employees feel comfortable at work, and that includes feeling comfortable speaking up about any concerns they may have.
- Training
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Training continues to be one of the top priorities for us. Employees are trained in our code of conduct on a biannual basis, and as a part of this training we focus on ensuring that our employees are aware of our whistleblower hotline and how to use it. Approximately 95% of all white-collar employees have been trained in the Code of Conduct in-person or online together with e-learning, and key employees have been trained in trade compliance and human rights. By training new employees, we are able to maintain awareness about compliance and ensure that we conduct business in a responsible and sustainable manner.
By the end of 2023, 82,8% of employees have been trained in anti-corruption. Find out more in the latest Sustainability Report.
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