Home » Deontology, integrity and conformity

Deontology, integrity and conformity

Everything under control. #

OBJECTIVITY, ETHICS AND INTEGRITY ARE IN OUR DNA

At Vinçotte, we work according to sound corporate governance based on ethics and integrity, and we defend this under all circumstances.

We do everything possible to strike the right balance between dynamic enterprise and risk management. That is why we organise our activities according to a vision that is focused on growth and long-term success.

Each and every employee in our organisation strives for the optimal balance between risk and results in their day-to-day operations.

As a service provider for whom expertise is essential, we believe that a robust culture of sound policy and ethical behaviour is fundamental to the way we do business.

Objectivity declaration #

Impartial and objective: that speaks for itself. However, we go one step further by committing to an impartiality declaration based on our accreditations.

  • All our employees sign a document in which they commit themselves to remaining impartial and objective.
  • We actively enforce certification regulations. This is a document that contains general terms and conditions for the cooperation between Vinçotte and our clients.
  • Our impartiality committee guarantees our objectivity and impartiality at all times. After all, this committee comprises representatives from our clients, our clients' customers and other bodies who ensure that we take the right measures to guarantee objectivity and impartiality. This committee also acts as a control body.
  • The role of the audit team and certification committee in the certification process differs. It is the certification committee that decides whether or not to award the certificate. The certification decision is invariably taken by someone who is not a member of the audit team. We additionally analyse incompatibilities to avoid conflicts of interest. The audit process is continually assessed using various resources: verification of the audit documentation, assessment of the audit documentation used to make certification decisions, and witness audits via direct observation and internal audits.
  • We also consider accreditation requirements and analyse potential conflicts of interest in our collaborations with consultancy companies. Various control mechanisms limit and avoid partiality.

Feedback can be reported via our contact form in Dutch or in French.

Conformity and integrity #

Vinçotte commits to provide its clients at all time its services with trust and integrity. As part of the Kiwa group, we subscribe to Kiwa's Compliance Programme.

The Compliance Programme defines the main principles of professional integrity and expresses all core business values that are shared throughout the organization of Vinçotte. The Code of Conduct is the base of the Compliance Programme and is part of the employment agreement.

To ensure the effectiveness of its Compliance Programme, Kiwa is required to submit its Compliance Programme to an annual internal and independent external audit examination.

Each Vinçotte employee is required to read the Compliance Programme, including the Code of Conduct, and to uphold its principles. On a regular base, employees complete an interactive online training with regard to the Compliance principles and the Code of Conduct.

Employees and external parties can report at any time their concerns regarding the Compliance Programme as well as any suspicion that the Compliance Programme is being violated. Employees should discuss their concerns with their supervisor, the Human Resources department or the Legal department. Furthermore, Vinçotte has appointed a Compliance Officer, who can always be confidentially contacted within the framework of the Compliance Programme. If requested, anonymity will be guaranteed. Both an employee as an external party can contact the Compliance Officer by e-mail on compliance@vincotte.be.

Vinçotte ensures that no-one faces any form of retaliation or adverse consequences for having informed about or reported a violation of the Compliance Programme.

For more information regarding the programme, please visit Kiwa Code of Conduct and Compliance