1. MEC Group Code of Conduct The focus of our strategy is to consistently add to the value of the company by laying the cornerstones of the further prosperity and by targeting profit growth in our core markets. MEC Group, including all consolidated Group companies, it’s Directors, Managers and employees (hereinafter: “MEC”), has given a mission statement which shall be used as the guide to all employees for working together in an efficient and harmonious fashion, while taking into account at highest priority our customers and other interested parties. As a global Group of companies the trust of our business partners, customers, suppliers, authorities and the public in a responsible and lawful conduct of all the companies employees is of essential significance for the reputation and success of our companies. The Directors and Managers have a model role; they are expected to have a high level of social and ethical competence. In relation to employees, Directors and Managers shall observe within their responsibility their duties regarding an appropriate organisation, control, communication, selection and direction. We conform to our global responsibility not least by our affirmation of democracy, tolerance and equal opportunities beyond all boundaries. Our most vital resources in reaching our company goals are the expertise and the entrepreneurial spirit of our employees. We appreciate the dedication and fervour with which the employees contribute to the company. Therefore, it is essential that each individual person is entitled to be treated in a fair, human and dignified manner that is based on mutual respect, trust and integrity. With this present body of rules and regulations we want to create for the Directors and Managers and employees of MEC a mission statement that is uniform and mandatory worldwide, based on a high degree of integrity and consistency in all our actions, that is intended to help cope with ethical and legal challenges in daily work. Because conducting ourselves towards people and the environment in a manner that is responsible and in compliance with the law is regarded as self-evident in light of our historical sense of values, this guideline does not contain any unknown provisions, but makes clear and illustrates the legal and ethical demands that are made on the manner in which our employees conduct themselves while performing their tasks. MEC observes internationally recognized human rights and the general ethical principles which reject child-and compulsory labour. Therefore this Code of Conduct is binding for all MEC companies and its employees, Managers and Directors even if applicable international or local law is less extensive. The whole purpose is to create a work environment that is conducive to the success of the individual and the company. The challenges to our company have increased in the past and will continue to do so. We are also aiming by this means to do everything necessary to increase sustained enterprise value and to develop in the interest of us all a high added value, so that thereby MEC’s economic success will be ensured in the long term. 1.1.
Conduct towards one another We perceive the diversity of people who work for MEC as the strength of our company. The differences in origin, culture, language and way of thinking of our employees give us a competitive edge, by contributing to new ideas and innovations through their readiness and openness vis-à-vis the novel. Every employee has to be aware that their conduct is imputed at all times to the company and that thereby the latter’s external and internal reputation depends on the conduct of the individual. Therefore, the company expects that every employee will treat colleagues