As a global business that is passionate about improving quality of life and accelerating a planet positive future by developing sustainable long-term solutions, we have set out in the Arcadis General Business Principles our responsibilities and commitment to our people, clients, shareholders, business partners, society and governments.
The Arcadis General Business Principles (AGBP) reflect our commitment to comply with the laws, regulations and culture of the countries in which we operate. The AGBP apply to everything we do and form our code of conduct, guiding the behavior we expect of all our people when conducting business anywhere in the world. We also expect our business partners to live by these or equivalent principles. We believe that our shared core values ensure our mission is fulfilled: People First, Client Success, Integrity, Sustainability and Collaboration. These values are the foundation of our AGBP. Our behavior creates the integrity and compliance culture of our organization and a sustainable future. At Arcadis we work to the highest professional and ethical standards and establish trust by being open, honest and responsible.
Governance
The application of the AGBP is strengthened by a comprehensive compliance management system, which is designed to ensure that our people understand the principles and act in accordance with them. Arcadis acknowledges that the ultimate responsibility for the implementation and application of the AGBP lies with the Arcadis Executive Board and the primary responsibility with our people and management in the operating entities (first line of defense). The Global Compliance Committee is composed of the Executive Board, the Chief People Officer, Global General Counsel and the Global Compliance Officer. The Global Compliance Officer reports on AGBP integrity, compliance and related (alleged) issues to the Global Compliance Committee, to the Executive Board, the Arcadis Audit and Risk Committee of the Supervisory Board (AARC) or directly to the Supervisory Board. Both at GBA and at country level the Compliance function is composed of a Compliance Officer and a Compliance Committee. Each Compliance Committee includes the Compliance Officer as well as a Management Team representative, Legal and Human Resource/ People expertise. The Compliance function is the second line of defense that assists and supports the first line of defense with identification and analysis of key Regulatory & Policy Compliance risks, trend analysis, mitigation of compliance risks through policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines, providing training and awareness and with periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the risk mitigating controls. The Internal Audit function provides the third line of defense and the priorities for Internal Audit are defined in an annual audit plan which could include AGBP integrity or compliance related risks.
Anti-Bribery and Corruption
Specific Anti-Corruption Standards (SACS) provide guidelines related to gifts, hospitality and payments to third parties. Arcadis has embedded its commitment to the UN Global Compact principle on anticorruption by referencing the SACS in the AGBP and having a dedicated chapter on anti-bribery and corruption in the AGBP. Targeted anti-corruption training sessions by leadership and by Compliance Officers are held in various business areas and countries throughout the year, tailored to local laws and regulations.
Dealing with dilemmas
The AGBP and the related global and local policies and standards, cannot directly cover every situation or dilemma that may arise. We must therefore use sound judgement to take the right decision when being faced with specific situations and dilemmas. Arcadis encourages its employees to recognize and discuss integrity dilemmas with each other and with their management, enabling a safe speak-up culture. Real life AGBP related scenarios are worked into anonymized dilemmas and included in the annual training to raise awareness and encourage discussions about lessons learned. The AGBP includes an AGBP Decision Making Tool that assists employees in handling dilemmas by setting out the key questions to help determine whether a particular course of action is consistent with our core values and the AGBP.
Value for customers
We are a reliable partner for our clients and aim to deliver our services without jeopardizing stakeholder interests. We offer services under terms that do not compromise our independent professional judgment and aim to create value for clients. We are transparent with clients about conflicts of interest that could emerge during the execution of our services.
Responsible employment practices
Arcadis employees are key to its success, and we respect human and labor rights so that our employees may work in a safe, healthy, professional and supportive environment. We encourage engagement and support personal development through comprehensive policies and initiatives. Every Arcadis employee has an equal opportunity for personal recognition, advancement, career development and compensation, regardless of background or beliefs. No form of discrimination is tolerated. The Human Rights and Labor Policy applies equally to recruitment, our supply chains and procurement. This policy lays out Arcadis ambitions aligned with global expectations for our own operations, our supply chains, including procurement, and for the project work we do for clients.
Monitoring and accountability
Arcadis requires all employees to understand, sign off on and comply with the AGBP every year when Arcadis employees complete the online training aimed at increasing awareness of our AGBP and values. This training specifically addresses issues like corruption, bribery, conflicts of interest, anti-competitive practices, inappropriate workplace behavior and other risks to which our people may be exposed. It was rolled out in October 2023 and is available in 11 languages. Employees that join Arcadis must successfully pass the AGBP training within 30 days of joining. In 2023, a total of 97% of all active employees passed the AGBP training. Arcadis monitors compliance with the AGBP in all operating companies on a quarterly basis through reporting on AGBP (alleged) issues and mid-year reporting on progress against the annually established Global Integrity & Compliance Program. In addition, management of all operating companies certify compliance and the effectiveness of global controls relating to the Arcadis Risk Category of Regulatory & Policy Compliance through an annual Document of Representation.
Integrity Lines
Arcadis has a reporting procedure which includes an anonymous global Integrity Line hosted by a third party for the event people are uncomfortable reporting through their line manager or further in the line, to their Compliance Officer or the relevant Compliance Committee. The Integrity Line is available to our employees 24 hours/7 days a week. Reports of potential or suspected misconduct or other AGBP issues can be made in native languages. In 2023, a total number of 109 alleged breaches of the AGBP were reported through the various reporting channels, including to the Arcadis Corporate Compliance Committee (2022: 64). All alleged breaches were assessed and, where necessary, further (being) investigated or advised upon, In addition, there were 4 reports of alleged breaches from before 2023 which were still being assessed or, where necessary, investigated during the year. Inappropriate workplace behavior (employment related) was the category with the most reported issues. There were no confirmed corruption or bribery incidents in 2023 based on our assessment and/or investigation. Violation of the AGBP may lead to sanctions, up to and including termination of employment. Company-wide Arcadis had 11 dismissals on grounds related to breaches of the AGBP. Arcadis will not hold employees accountable for any loss of business resulting from compliance with the AGBP and its reporting requirements. Arcadis takes various type of actions to address insights from breaches, these actions range for example from refreshing controls and policies, identifying root causes, to translating lessons learned into AGBP training scenarios.
Arcadis has a reporting procedure available for its external stakeholders (suppliers, clients and other third parties) to report any concerns they may have that the AGBP and/or related policies are being breached. This procedure includes an anonymous global Integrity Line hosted by a third party. This anonymous external Integrity Line is available 24 hours/7 days for the event our stakeholders are uncomfortable raising a concern or reporting suspected misconduct or irregularities related to the cooperation with Arcadis directly with their contact person within Arcadis. The availability of Arcadis’ External Integrity Line also ensures our compliance with new regulatory requirements (incl. the EU W histleblower Directive) and UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. Reporting can be made in native languages and can be accessed through local telephone numbers or the internet. In 2023, a total number of 5 alleged breaches of the AGBP were reported through the external integrity line. All alleged breaches were assessed and, where necessary, further (being) investigated or advised upon. Among these, there were no confirmed corruption or bribery incidents in 2023 based on our assessment and/or investigation.
Arcadis will investigate, address and respond to the concerns of our stakeholders and will take appropriate corrective action in response to any violation. Arcadis recognizes that reported concerns may be about a third party or be in confidence and Arcadis assures it will be handled as such, without repercussions or retaliation for reports made in good faith. To report a concern, our stakeholders can also send an e-mail to compliance@arcadis.com. For information about how we process personal data or how to contact our Privacy Office please go to our Privacy Policy.
Last updated: 7 August 2024