Sustainability Report 2012 - Generali Versicherung AG

Relationships with contractual partners are governed bya specific document, the Ethical Code for suppliers ofthe Generali Group, approved by the Parent Company’sBoard of Directors in December 2011. The main purposeof the Code is to define the methods for dealing withand managing the risks and opportunities relating tothe management of relations with suppliers, in order toguarantee the integrity of the supply chain in relation tothe principles concerning human and labour rights, thefight against corruption and the environment that theGroup commits to complying with in all of its operations.To this end, the Ethical Code for suppliers outlines thegeneral principles that have to underpin fruitful relationswith contractual partners: correctness and honesty,the rejection of any type of corruption, transparencyand impartiality, preventing conflicts of interests, faircompetition, and confidentiality, and protecting workersand the environment.Suppliers are required to follow the Group’s policies whileperforming business and to ensure compliance also withall the levels of the relevant supply chain. Specifically,suppliers are required to comply with all national andinternational applicable rules and regulations, includingthe International Labour Organization’s Declaration andthe UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.In the countries in the Sustainability Report scope andin other European countries, clauses in supply contractsexpressly require compliance with laws on labour,health and safety in the workplace and environmentalprotection. For violations, sanctions are also envisaged,which can even result in contract cancellation if it is notpossible to resolve the problems through dialogue withsuppliers.For greater control over the supply chain, the use ofsubcontracting is governed by contract, and suppliersare requested to report any use of third parties in carryingout their services.regulation of the acceptance/offer of gifts of any type,which are permitted only if they relate to work and theirvalue is under a reasonable limit, also taking account ofthe local regulations and practice.PURCHASING MANAGEMENTIn Italy and Germany, purchasing procedures, fromsearching for a supplier to entering into the contract,are carried out by a common services company, whilein Austria, France, the Czech Republic and Spain theyare conducted by a purchasing service centralised at theholding companies. Lastly, in Switzerland, purchasing iscarried out by the individual companies.In consideration of the specific nature of the business,which envisages the direct involvement of suppliersin the service provided to the client throughout thearea on a local basis, previous contacts with suppliersand management of supplier relations are particularlyimportant to companies of the Europ Assistance group.Also for this reason, Europ Assistance companiesindependently make their own purchases, and onlycertain countries, such as France and Italy, have apurchasing service centralised at the local holdingcompany. Supplier information is shared at national level,through a database accessible to all group companies.Un Campione per amico (A champion as a friend), ItalyTo govern relationships with suppliers in detail, severalcountries (Italy, Austria, France and Germany) haveadopted specific codes or documents in line with theEthical Code for suppliers of the Generali Group, whileothers have formalised purchasing procedures andpractices in internal circulars and regulations. The newCode of Conduct also sets forth provisions concerningrelationships with suppliers, which specifically coverthe prevention of potential conflicts of interest and theThe Ethical Code for suppliers ofthe Generali Group is available onthe website of the Generali Groupwww.generali.com/Sustainability106 | Assicurazioni Generali - Sustainability Report 2012