Scope of application
Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A. (hereinafter, “Fidia” or the “Company”) is an Italian multinational company founded in 1946, a world leader in the research, development, production, and marketing of innovative products primarily based on hyaluronic acid and its derivatives. Fidia distributes its products in over 120 countries worldwide, thanks to a consolidated network of partners, distributors, and commercial subsidiaries in strategic markets. Fidia’s business is characterized by a strong focus on safety, ethics, customers, people, processes, results, and efficiency.
To this end, Fidia has implemented an Ethics & Compliance system designed to prevent and combat active and passive corruption by establishing, among other measures, a Supplier Code of Conduct. This code aims to establish and strengthen relationships with its Suppliers, who are expected to promote its adoption within their organization and across the entire supply chain in which they participate.
This Supplier Code of Conduct sets out the principles and behaviours required of Suppliers from whom Fidia directly and indirectly purchases goods, services, materials, and technical-industrial products. Suppliers are required to comply with all applicable international, EU, national, regional, and local laws and regulations relevant to the execution of specific contracts and to reference, where feasible, the highest internationally recognized standards. Compliance with these standards is essential for establishing and maintaining a long-term relationship with Fidia. The standards of conduct outlined in this Supplier Code of Conduct supplement any agreements, understandings, or contracts entered into with individual Suppliers. Fidia reserves the right to conduct periodic checks to ensure compliance with the fundamental principles governing this document. In cases of serious non-compliance, Fidia may unilaterally terminate the contract.
Compliance with laws, regulations, and group internal procedures
Suppliers are required to comply with all applicable international, national, EU, regional, and local laws and regulations in the countries where they operate.
Suppliers must adhere to applicable laws and regulations concerning anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism, as well as all applicable employment laws, injury assistance, social security, child labour laws, and those relating to non-discrimination of their employees and associates. Suppliers must, in all cases, respect the values and requirements outlined in Fidia’s Code of Ethics and Organizational, Management, and Control Model 231.
Supplier conduct
Fidia seeks to promote responsible conduct throughout its supply chain, recognizing that sustainability commitments can only be achieved with the involvement of all stakeholders in the value chain, as well as by encouraging its Suppliers to adopt behaviours aligned with its principles and values. The Company is committed to establishing third-party relationships based on fairness and transparency. Therefore, Fidia requires its Suppliers to act in full compliance with applicable regulations, refraining from offering, promising, giving, paying (directly or indirectly), or accepting goods or benefits to public or private entities for illegal purposes.
More generally, Fidia requires its Suppliers to maintain complete transparency regarding information necessary for procurement processes, refraining from providing false or misleading information or omitting relevant details that could influence decision-making processes related to supplier prequalification, contract awarding, or subcontracting authorization.
Whistleblowing
Fidia has a Whistleblowing system in line with the regulatory requirements of Legislative Decree 24/2023, which, among other things, provides for the reporting of incidents of corruption, fraud, or other illegal activities, such as violations of human rights, environmental laws, health and safety regulations, or other non-compliance issues, while respecting whistleblowers’ confidentiality. For reporting methods, please refer to the Whistleblowing Policy available on the Fidia institutional website in the Governance section.
The Company also requires its Suppliers to provide their workers and third parties who interact in Fidia’s interest with reporting channels that allow for anonymous submissions.
Privacy protection
Suppliers must handle personal data and confidential information in compliance with data protection and confidentiality laws, as well as Fidia’s privacy procedures. Suppliers must protect the privacy rights of their counterparts, using collected data for legitimate, defined, and appropriate purposes. To ensure privacy protection, Suppliers must implement adequate technical and organizational measures, ensuring that authorized personnel are appropriately trained, and that privacy roles are clearly defined in performing their activities and services.
Disciplinary system
Proven non-compliance with the principles and rules of this Supplier Code of Conduct may result in removal from Fidia’s Supplier Register, as well as temporary suspension and/or termination of existing contracts with Fidia. Suppliers accept and commit to upholding the principles outlined in this Supplier Code of Conduct.
Intro
Inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its values, and its Code of Conduct, Fidia is committed to fostering a peaceful, participatory, fair, and professional work environment, free from any form of harassment, sexually inappropriate behaviour, and bullying, and based on respect for equal treatment and dignity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, skin colour, nationality, citizenship, political opinions, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and any other legally protected category.
Equal opportunity
Fidia promotes equality in all its forms. From candidate status to collaborator and throughout the employment relationship, all individuals are entitled to the same opportunities and protections regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, citizenship, migratory background, religion, age, and any disability.
Discrimination and harassment
Fidia believes that any act of harassment, bullying, or sexually inappropriate behaviour is a threat to the dignity of the individual subjected to it, potentially compromising their health, confidence, morale, work motivation, performance, organizational climate, and Fidia’s reputation. Harassment, sexually inappropriate behaviour, and bullying are, therefore, not tolerated in any form.
Diversity and inclusion
Fidia believes that individual differences are an added value and that everyone can contribute and express their opinions and ideas. Fidia is committed to creating an inclusive environment where mutual respect, psychological safety, and a collaborative spirit are essential elements, and where interpersonal relationships are based on trust and the ability to give and receive transparent and honest feedback.
Human rights
Fidia recognizes and respects the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Suppliers must exercise due diligence to identify, prevent, mitigate, address, investigate, and remedy potential or actual human rights violations in their activities or in those directly linked to their operations, products, or services acquired through their business relationships.
Child labour
Fidia implements policies and procedures to exclude the use of child labour. Suppliers must not employ child labour, including any work performed by individuals under the age of 15, or below the minimum legal working age established by local laws, or younger than the age required for completing compulsory schooling, whichever is highest.
Forced labour
Fidia does not use forced or involuntary labour. Forced or involuntary labour includes any work performed under threat of penalty or coercion, or work that a person has not offered voluntarily. Examples include forced, compulsory, or punitive labour. Forced labour is any labour obtained through exploitation of a worker’s vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, isolation, physical or sexual violence, intimidation, threat, withholding of identity documents, wage withholding, debt bondage (including recruitment fees or degrading work or living conditions), or excessive or forced overtime. Suppliers employing migrant workers must ensure they are not recruited through fraudulent practices aor charged recruitment fees.
Freedom of association and collective bargaining
Fidia respects workers’ rights to choose to join, associate, organize, or participate in collective bargaining legally and peacefully without penalty, harassment, discrimination, or interference. Suppliers must respect this principle.
Environment: generic guidelines and continuous optimization
Fidia promotes environmental protection as a shared resource to be safeguarded for the benefit of society and future generations. Suppliers are required to comply with all environmental compliance obligations, with a commitment to protecting the environment and biodiversity by minimizing negative environmental impacts through the adoption of an environmental sustainability strategy. Suppliers are required to conduct their operations in a manner that actively manages environmental risks within their operations, products, and supply chain. Fidia expects Suppliers in its supply chain to avoid, where possible, the use of substances of concern and extremely high concern (SVHC), to ship products while reducing single-use plastic, and to promote reusable/recycled packaging materials. Fidia also promotes and encourages responsible environmental management and resource consumption. On request and if available, Suppliers must be able to provide Fidia with the carbon footprint of their organization. The implementation of certified environmental management systems in line with international standards, such as ISO 14001, ISO 50001, or EMAS, is strongly recommended for processes with significant environmental impacts.
Health, safety, and prevention, risk mitigation, and standards to be followed
Health and safety in the workplace for its employees and workers throughout the value chain is a priority and ongoing commitment for Fidia.
Fidia requires Suppliers to adopt conduct aimed at:
- implementing effective measures to identify, prevent, monitor, address, minimize, or eliminate potential risks that could cause actual and/or potential harm to people in the workplace;
- adopting behaviours in line with legislation and best practices regarding workplace health and safety.
“Commitment to the Planet,” current or upcoming initiatives
Fidia is committed to protecting the environment and conserving global resources.
Fidia requires its Suppliers to commit to the following:
- avoiding waste;
- ensuring responsible management of resources such as water, energy, and materials;
- working on measures to improve the reuse and recycling of products and materials;
- reducing environmental impacts (energy consumption, emissions, and waste);
- qualifying its supply chains.
Respect and protection of the community in environmental terms
Fidia protects the environment from damage and degradation related to its activities, making efforts to reduce pollution and environmental risks and continuously improving environmental protection within its sphere of influence. It also asks its Suppliers to adopt measures and behaviours to pursue the same purpose in relation to their activities.
Abano Terme, 03/07/2024