CSR

CSR Policy
Cookson recognises that its operations impact a wide community of stakeholders, including investors, employees, customers, business associates and local communities and that appropriate attention to the fulfilment of its corporate responsibilities can enhance overall performance. In structuring its approach to the various aspects of corporate social responsibility, the Company takes account of guidelines and statements issued by stakeholder representatives and other regulatory bodies from around the world.

Social, environmental and ethical matters are reviewed by the Board, particularly as regards the impact such matters may have on the Group’s management of risk and the internal control systems in place for addressing any significant associated risks.

Code of Conduct
The Company has a Code of Conduct (“Cookson Code”) which has been distributed throughout the Group in 26 languages and by which all its businesses are required to operate. The Cookson Code emphasises the Company’s commitment to compliance with the highest standards of legal and ethical behaviour. The Cookson Code is reproduced in full on the Company’s website.

As stated in the Cookson Code, the primary goal of Cookson is the protection and advancement of the interests of investors by providing attractive returns on a long-term basis. In striving to achieve this goal, management must conduct its business in a responsible manner, while engaging in careful risk-taking as an essential ingredient of business success. The Cookson Code requires that particular care be given to the preservation and protection of Group assets by making prudent and effective use of resources. Long-term customer satisfaction is recognised as being essential to the attainment of Group goals, which means listening carefully to customers’ product and service requirements and maintaining a reputation for integrity in all business and other dealings.

The Group can only achieve its goals through the efforts of its employees. Cookson recognises that job satisfaction requires working environments that motivate employees to be productive and innovative, and which provide opportunities for employee training and development to maximise personal potential and develop careers within the Group. Cookson believes that wherever in the world they work employees have the right to be treated in good faith and on the basis of respect for the dignity of the individual. The Cookson Code requires all Group companies to ensure that recruitment, training, promotion, career development, termination and similar employment-related issues are based on individual ability, achievement, experience and conduct without regard to race, colour, nationality, culture, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other reason not related to job performance or prohibited by applicable law.

The Cookson Code requires all employees, officers and Directors to have a duty of loyalty to the Group. Individuals may not use their positions to profit themselves or others at the expense of the Group. Personal interests that do, may or might appear to conflict with Group interests, or improperly influence the performance of an individual’s duties, must be avoided at all times.

Cookson seeks to be a good corporate citizen wherever it conducts business. The Cookson Code requires employees to observe all national and local laws and never seek to gain any advantage through the inappropriate use of payments, business courtesies or other inducements. Bribery is strictly prohibited. Group businesses must respect and take into account regional and local concerns, customs and traditions.

A list of all the languages that the Code of Conduct is translated in is available from Cookson Group plc.

Code of Conduct (72KB PDF)

Helpline
Cookson has a 24-hour Employee Business Concern Helpline and e-mail facility. This is operated by a professional, external provider of employee support, counselling and business concern services, which provides Cookson’s employees and business associates with an independent and confidential service through which to register any concerns about any incorrect or irregular practices they perceive in Cookson’s workplace. With the express permission of the caller or e-mail correspondent, the service provider reports any matters raised to a designated team at Cookson’s Head Office for investigation.

Employee Business Concern (34KB PDF)

Health, Safety & Environment Policy

Health, Safety & Environment Policy (107KB PDF)