Seltec Sales Corporation
Where product meets consumer.
Seltec Sales Corporation
Business Code of Conduct
Seltec Sales Corporation was founded in 1970, and since that time has embraced values of openness, honesty and social responsibility in its daily business operations and in its relationships with its vendors, customers and members. The Code of Business Conduct which is set forth below embodies these concepts as a guide for the Company’s officers, directors and employees. In almost every instance, the initial impressions of the Company by outside parties are based on their interaction with the Company’s employees, officers and directors, all of whom act as the Company’s ambassadors to our customers and whose adherence to this Code of Business Conduct will help assure a positive first impression. This Code of Business Conduct covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees and officers and directors of the Company and its affiliated entities and subsidiaries. All of the Company’s employees and officers must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. This Code should also be provided to and followed by the Company’s agents and representatives. In addition to this Code, other policies apply to various operations of the Company, and you need to know and follow those policies that apply to your area of work at the Company. If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law. Also, if a local custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor how to handle the situation. Employees and officers are responsible for understanding the legal and policy requirements that apply to their jobs and reporting any suspected violations of law, this Code or other Company policy. Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal. Furthermore, violations of this Code may also be violations of the law and may result in civil or criminal penalties for you, your supervisors and/or the Company. If you are in a situation which you believe may violate or lead to a violation of this Code, follow the procedures set out in Section 14 of this Code. The basic principles discussed in this Code are subject to any Company policies covering the same issues.
1. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations. Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which the Company’s business and success have been built. All employees and officers and directors are expected to respect and obey the laws, rules and regulations of the cities, states and countries in which the Company operates. Although employees and officers and directors are not expected to know the details of each of these laws, rules and regulations, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel.
2. Conflicts of Interest. A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way - or even appears to interfere - with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when an employee or officer or director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work for the Company objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee or officer or director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees and officers and their family members by the Company may create conflicts of interest and in certain instances are prohibited by law. It is a conflict of interest for a Company employee or officer or director to work for or be a member of the board of directors of a competitor, customer or supplier. You should avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except as required on our behalf or where the interests of the Company are consistent with those of our customers, suppliers, or competitors; i.e., participation in trade or industry groups or nonprofit endeavors. Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, except as approved by the Board of Directors. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with your supervisor or follow the procedures set out in Sections 14, 15 and 18. Any employee or officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel or consult the procedures provided in Sections 13 and 14 of this Code.
3. Corporate Opportunities. Employees and officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors. No employee or officer may use corporate property, information, or position for personal gain, and no employee or officer may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Employees and officers and directors are expected to advance the Company’s interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
4. Competition and Fair Dealing. At Seltec Sales Corporation, we seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. We seek competitive advantages through superior performance, never through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each employee and officer and director should endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee or officer or director should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other illegal trade practice. No employee or officer or director is permitted to engage in price fixing, bid rigging, allocation of markets or customers, or similar illegal anti-competitive activities. To maintain the Company’s valuable reputation, compliance with our quality processes and safety requirements is essential. All inspection and testing documents must be handled in accordance with all applicable specifications and requirements. The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any Company employee or officer or director or their respective family members or agents, unless it is approved by the Chief Executive Officer or your supervisor.
5. Discrimination and Harassment. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other protected class.
6. Health and Safety. The Company strives to provide each employee and officer with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee and officer has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees and officers by following environmental, safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions. Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees and officers are expected to perform their work at the Company in a safe manner, free of the influences of alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
7. Record-Keeping, Financial Controls and Disclosures. The Company requires honest, accurate and timely recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. All business expense accounts must be documented and recorded accurately in a timely manner. If you are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your controller. Policy guidelines are available from your controller. All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions, must be promptly disclosed in accordance with any applicable laws or regulations and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Business records and communications often become public, and we should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies that may be misunderstood. This applies equally to email, internal memos, and formal reports. Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult the Chief Executive Officer.
8. Confidentiality. Employees and officers must maintain the confidentiality of proprietary information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers or suppliers, except when disclosure is authorized in writing by an officer of the Company or is required by laws or regulations. Proprietary information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers or suppliers if disclosed. It includes information that suppliers and customers have entrusted to us. The obligation to preserve proprietary information continues even after employment ends.
9. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets. All employees and officers should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. All of the Company’s assets are to be used for legitimate company purposes. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation in accordance with the procedures in Section 14 below. The Company’s assets should not be used for business purposes that are not related to the Company. The obligation of employees and officers and directors to protect the Company’s assets includes the Company’s proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property, such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information is a violation of the policies of the Company. It could also be illegal and result in civil or criminal penalties.
10. Payments to Government Personnel. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. Never give or authorize directly or indirectly any illegal payments to government officials of any country. While the FCPA does, in certain limited circumstances, allow nominal “facilitating payments” to be made, any such payment must be discussed with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer before any such payment can be made. In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and regulations regarding business gratuities, which may be accepted by U.S. government personnel. The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only violate Company policy but is also a civil or criminal offense. State and local governments, as well as foreign governments, often have similar rules.
11. Trade Issues. From time to time, the United States, foreign governments and the United Nations have imposed boycotts and trading sanctions against various governments and regions, which must be obeyed. Advice regarding the current status of these matters must be obtained from the Chief Executive Officer.
12. Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior. Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about observed behavior, which they believe may be illegal or a violation of this Code of Business Conduct or the other policies of the Company or, when in doubt, about the best course of action in a particular situation, and to follow the procedures in Section 14 below. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation for reports made in good faith by employees of misconduct by others. Employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
13. Compliance Procedures. All Company employees, officers and directors must all work to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code. However, in some situations it is difficult to know right from wrong. Since we cannot anticipate every situation that will arise, it is important that we have a way to approach a new question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind:
(a) Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach the right solutions, we must be as fully informed as possible.
(b) Ask yourself: What specifically am I being asked to do? Does it seem unethical or improper? This will enable you to focus on the specific question you are faced with, and the alternatives you have. Use your judgment and common sense; if something seems unethical or improper, it probably is.
(c) Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This is the basic guidance for all situations. In many cases, your supervisor will be more knowledgeable about the question, and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making process. Remember that it is your supervisor’s responsibility to help solve problems. If you are uncomfortable discussing the problem with your supervisor you are advised to follow the chain of command up to the Chief Executive Officer.
(d) You may report violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If your situation requires that your identity be kept secret, every effort will be made to protect your anonymity. The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees or officers for good faith reports of suspected violations.
(e) Always ask first, act later: If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act.
(f) All employees and officers and directors are subject to the Company’s Code, which describes procedures for the internal reporting of violations of the Code. All employees and officers must comply with those reporting requirements and promote compliance with them by others. Failure to adhere to this Code by any employee or officer will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.