INTRODUCTION
This Code of Ethics should be regarded as an appropriate conduct guide which, together with Grupo Lacasa's working rules and procedures, is intended to ensure that all members of the organisation establish appropriate relationships. At the same time, this Code expresses Grupo Lacasa's commitment to its stakeholders — namely its own employees, external suppliers and partners, shareholders, public and private institutions, and society at large — regarding the ethical model that guides its management and its efforts. All natural or legal persons who have employment, economic, social or industrial relationships with Grupo Lacasa will receive respectful, dignified and fair treatment, with reciprocity being required in turn.
MISSION
Grupo Lacasa works to create quality products, respecting the environment and acting ethically and responsibly. Since its origins, the making of delicious chocolates, always using the best recipes and carefully selected ingredients, has made the difference, bringing joy to the world through chocolate.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION
The Code of Ethics applies to the entire workforce of Grupo Lacasa, regardless of the position they hold or the place where they carry out their work. The guidelines it contains are mandatory, and their application will be promoted among suppliers, distributors and partner companies, with the aim of encouraging them to adopt similar standards of conduct. Likewise, both the Board and Senior Management of Grupo Lacasa must serve as a model of reference in their conduct and level of compliance, demonstrating an unequivocal commitment to and support for the Code of Ethics and the other instruments of the model, in order to create a genuine culture of ethics and compliance.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND VALUES
I. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES LONG-TERM ORIENTATION
As a family business, Grupo Lacasa aims for a stable, long-term future orientation, passing on its values from generation to generation.
QUALITY
A firm commitment to product quality, using the best raw materials in its production and the most advanced technology, while complying with the most demanding international certifications.
INNOVATION
A commitment to continuous improvement and technological innovation, in order to create unique products, stand out from the competition, and achieve excellence in management.
EXPERIENCE
Grupo Lacasa has more than 170 years of passionate work with chocolate. Through the acquisition of various companies, it has expanded its knowledge of a full range of cocoa-derived products.
WORK
Grupo Lacasa is committed to offering a pleasant and motivating working environment, in which professionals can feel proud of their contribution and of belonging to the organisation; to facilitating and promoting professional and personal development, equal opportunities and work-life balance; and to strengthening its actions in the field of occupational health.
ADAPTATION
Faced with the need to adapt to global change, Grupo Lacasa constantly monitors its environment in order to respond as swiftly as possible to society's demands. Sustainability, together with other trends, forms part of the set of guidelines to be considered both now and in the future for the developments to be carried out.
II. VALUES
RESPECT FOR THE LAW
Grupo Lacasa's main commitment is to establish and uphold, as one of the organisation's core values, that the actions of all its members always comply with the law, promoting an appropriate culture of compliance within the organisation. All members of the organisation must comply with current legislation, as well as with all internal regulations approved by the Board of Directors. They must also avoid any conduct that, even without breaking the law, could harm the organisation's reputation and negatively affect its interests. In its relationships with customers, suppliers and end consumers, Grupo Lacasa is committed to strictly complying with laws, rules and procedures, guaranteeing neutrality, objectivity and non-discrimination in its dealings with them.
GOOD FAITH
The conduct of all members of Grupo Lacasa must always adhere to the principles of honesty and good faith towards the company, their superiors, colleagues and the various partners with whom they regularly interact.
ETHICAL INTEGRITY
Ethics is not concerned with what "can" or "could" be done from a technical, legal, economic, social or cultural standpoint; rather, its fundamental aim is to establish what we should do so that individuals are respected in their dignity and the organisation achieves the purposes proper to its identity, contributing to its own good and to that of society as a whole. Ethics is concerned with determining the values and principles that ensure that both human beings and the organisations in which they carry out their activities achieve the greatest possible good and minimise any harm that may be caused to other people or to the organisation itself.
DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE
Grupo Lacasa rejects any conduct or manifestation of physical, psychological or moral harassment, or abuse of authority, as well as any other conduct that could create an intimidating or offensive environment with regard to people's rights. Treating the company's members and stakeholders with dignity means respecting their integrity, increasing their freedom or autonomy, and increasing their equal opportunities within the organisation.
RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Grupo Lacasa is committed to ensuring respect for the Human Rights recognised both in our Constitution and in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Grupo Lacasa is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, embracing the commitments arising from it in order to promote and raise awareness within the organisation regarding its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. The organisation may require suppliers to demonstrate respect for Human Rights as part of the due diligence process when selecting them for procurement.
CORPORATE IMAGE AND REPUTATION
All members of Grupo Lacasa, in carrying out their activities, must take the utmost care to preserve the company's image and reputation in all their professional actions. Likewise, they will ensure the correct use and respect of the corporate image and reputation by the organisation's suppliers and partner companies. Grupo Lacasa's use of social networks must be aligned with the values set out in this Code and with the provisions of the Code of Conduct.
RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
One of the company's main objectives is to help preserve the environment through effective and realistic actions and policies that go beyond mere compliance with regulations. All members of the organisation and its partners must strive to minimise the environmental impact arising from their activities and from the use of the facilities, equipment and work resources made available to them, seeking to use them efficiently. In its relationships with suppliers or external partners, Grupo Lacasa will convey these principles and will require compliance with the environmental procedures and requirements applicable in each case.
ANIMAL WELFARE
In the production of all its products, Grupo Lacasa ensures that all its suppliers commit to guaranteeing the welfare and protection of the animals involved in the process, in accordance with the provisions of its Purchasing Policy.
LOYALTY AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Conflicts of interest arise in situations where the personal interests of a member of the organisation, directly or indirectly, conflict with the interests of the organisation or interfere with the proper performance of their professional duties and responsibilities. In carrying out their professional responsibilities, members of Grupo Lacasa must avoid situations that could give rise to a conflict between personal interests and those of the company, acting with loyalty and upholding the defence of the company's interests. In cases that could give rise to controversy or doubt, queries should be made through the Ethics Channel, at [email protected]
COMMITMENTS
I. COMMITMENT TO QUALITY: Grupo Lacasa is firmly committed to the quality of its products, using the best raw materials in their production and the most advanced technology.
II. FIRM COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS Grupo Lacasa is a customer-oriented company that aims to offer quality products guaranteeing their safety and satisfaction, as well as to establish honest, respectful and lasting relationships with them, based on personalised, close treatment.
III. COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY In fulfilling its responsibility as a company, Grupo Lacasa carries out actions to improve social cohesion, cultural strengthening and environmental sustainability in the territories and communities where it operates.
IV. COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES Grupo Lacasa is aware that its main asset is its employees, and is therefore committed to maintaining appropriate and stable working relationships within a framework of equal opportunities that allow them to grow professionally, investing in their training and fostering talent. Grupo Lacasa is committed to ensuring that employees have an appropriate level of workplace safety in accordance with the Occupational Risk Prevention Act and the safety regulations established at any given time and place. The company also invests in risk prevention and assessment programmes.
V. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS Grupo Lacasa will foster employees' motivation, commitment and engagement, encouraging participation and teamwork in order to maintain a good working environment. Employees will act with due diligence and loyalty towards the company, customers and colleagues. All employees will assume the responsibilities inherent to their position. In accordance with their duties, employees will be familiar with and involved in the organisation's business project.
VI. PROPER USE OF INFORMATION Grupo Lacasa is committed to protecting its information systems and personal data, and has a Personal Data Management System that guarantees compliance with current data protection legislation across all areas of the organisation. The aim is not only to ensure compliance with data protection regulations, but also to implement good practices in the handling of data and information for which Grupo Lacasa is responsible. The proper use of information is directly linked to the proper use, by Grupo Lacasa's employees, of the devices provided to them by the company, guaranteeing at all times their right to digital disconnection and to privacy on their devices, in accordance with current legislation.
COMMITMENTS TO THIRD PARTIES Grupo Lacasa will foster relationships with third parties based on the values of transparency, commitment and loyalty.
I. RELATIONSHIP WITH CUSTOMERS Grupo Lacasa's workforce is committed to working towards excellence and offering high-quality services that guarantee customer safety and satisfaction. Grupo Lacasa's commitment to continuous improvement must be reflected in the treatment given by all employees to customers, which must be respectful, personalised, approachable and service-oriented. Depending on their role, employees must be familiar with the goods and services Grupo Lacasa offers its customers, so as to be able to provide clear and accurate information.
II. RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPPLIERS Grupo Lacasa seeks to continuously implement its commitment to international standards such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the main conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Global Compact, extending them, beyond its own activity, to every link in the supply chain, including plantations at origin. Grupo Lacasa expects its suppliers to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and, in particular, those relating to the pillars set out in this document, and to strive to comply with international and industry standards, as well as good practices. Acceptance of this Code is a prerequisite for all of Grupo Lacasa's contracts with suppliers. Grupo Lacasa also reserves the right to verify compliance with the Code through internal or external assessment mechanisms and to require the implementation of improvements. This Code, or evidence of compliance with it, does not confer any right upon suppliers. The standards of the Code do not replace, but rather supplement, the provisions of any legal agreement or contract between suppliers and Grupo Lacasa.
III. RELATIONSHIP WITH CONSUMERS Consumers hold great importance as the final recipients around whom the company's corporate purpose revolves. The main commitment to consumers is to defend their interests at all times, always prioritising their protection in accordance with applicable legislation.
COMMUNICATION TO STAKEHOLDERS
The purpose of this Code is to make stakeholders aware of the values and standards of conduct promoted by Grupo Lacasa. For this reason, any conduct that members of the organisation, suppliers, customers or even consumers become aware of may be reported through our Whistleblowing Channel at the following address: https://grupo.lacasa.es/canal-denuncias/ The use of this channel will guarantee the whistleblower's anonymity at all times and in accordance with current data protection regulations. The information will first be handled by an independent third-party expert, in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest, and subsequently by the internal Control Body appointed by the Board of Directors. Likewise, any update to the Code will be communicated immediately through the actions set out in the internal communication action plan.
BREACH OF THE CODE Breach of this Code will be subject to sanction as a serious offence, in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreements within the organisation, always safeguarding the legal guarantees of the persons affected and in accordance with current law.
ENTRY INTO FORCE The Code of Ethics shall enter into force upon its approval by the Board of Directors and shall be mandatory from that moment on. Grupo Lacasa ensures that it carries out the actions necessary to guarantee that the Code is known and applied by all members of the organisation, including employees, directors and Senior Management. This Code of Ethics shall be binding on third-party partners or suppliers of Grupo Lacasa who do not have their own code of conduct, through the corresponding clauses in the signing of the contract and in accordance with the supplier approval procedure.
The Code of Ethics will be reviewed periodically, and the means and instruments necessary for its dissemination, application, management and compliance will be implemented through its publication on the website https://grupo.lacasa.es/ This Code shall remain in force indefinitely unless its annulment is requested.