Corporate Social Responsibility Review 2002/2003

Ethical Policy

A reputation for integrity has been a cornerstone of Johnson Matthey’s business since it was founded by Percival Norton Johnson in 1817. It gives customers the confidence that the company’s products meet the standards claimed for them and that they may safely entrust their own precious metals to Johnson Matthey for processing and safe keeping. Employees at all levels are required to protect Johnson Matthey’s reputation for integrity.

The company strives to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and corporate responsibility worldwide through the application of the following principles:

Compliance with national and international laws and regulations is required as a minimum standard.
Reputable business practices must be applied worldwide.
Conflicts of interest must be declared and appropriate arrangements made to ensure that those with a material interest are not involved in the decision making process.
Improper payments of any kind are prohibited, similarly no gift whose value is material or which may be interpreted as a form of inducement should be accepted or offered by Johnson Matthey employees.
Reporting of business performance should be undertaken in such a way that senior management is fully and properly informed concerning the business’ true performance, risks and opportunities in a timely manner.
Ethical issues must be dealt with in an efficient and transparent manner.
A positive contribution to society as a whole, and specifically the communities in which we operate, must be ensured.
We must seek to influence our suppliers to operate to similar high standards as ourselves.

International Business

The majority of Johnson Matthey operations are conducted in developed nations. However, in recent years a small number of ‘at risk’ countries have emerged as significant growth opportunities for our business. Whilst the protection of human rights and enhancement of labour conditions is largely the responsibility of governments and international bodies we recognise our responsibility to conduct our business so as to protect the rights of individuals. Whilst we are confident of the performance of our own operations, we recognise that business practices in the supply chain are not always transparent and represent a risk that must be managed, when it is within our ability to influence matters.

We support the principles set out within the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organisation Core Conventions.