OUR WORKING POLICY
GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Our good governance and management systems are the foundation of PSCI Principles compliance. They use appropriate systems to conduct due diligence on risks and impacts, monitor regulations, determine priorities, assign responsibilities, adopt risk mitigation measures, and facilitate continuous improvement and compliance.
Governance and Management System Principles:
Culture, Commitment, and Responsibility:
By allocating appropriate resources and identifying senior responsible personnel, a culture of commitment to the concepts outlined in this document and responsible practices will be established.
Legal and Customer Requirements:
Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accepted standards, and relevant customer requirements will be ensured.
Risk Management:
Mechanisms will be in place to identify and manage risks in all areas covered by these principles. A change management process will be implemented to evaluate and control risks associated with changes.
Traceability and Control:
Systems will be in place to conduct due diligence in supply chains, including traceability of raw material sources, to support legal and sustainable resource use.
Training and Competence:
A training program will ensure management and employees possess sufficient knowledge, skills, and competencies to meet expectations outlined in these principles.
Documentation:
Necessary documents will be maintained to demonstrate compliance with these principles and applicable regulations.
Continuous Improvement:
Continuous improvement will be demonstrated by setting performance targets and implementing action plans. Corrective actions for identified deficiencies will include near-miss situations, event recording and reporting, and internal or external audits and management reviews.
Emergency Preparedness and Response:
Effective emergency plans and response procedures will be in place.
Grievance Mechanisms:
Grievance mechanisms accessible to internal and external stakeholders will be established, encouraging their use to report concerns, illegal activities, or violations of these principles without fear of retaliation, intimidation, or harassment.
Response and Improvement:
Incidents or concerns related to these principles will be appropriately investigated, necessary corrective actions will be taken, and improvements will be provided when needed.
Effective Communication:
Effective systems will be in place to communicate these principles to relevant stakeholders, including employees, contractors, suppliers, and local communities.
ETHICS
We conduct our business responsibly and ethically, acting with integrity.
Patient Safety and Access to Information:
Adequate management systems will ensure minimizing risks that could negatively impact the rights of patients, volunteers, and donors, including their health rights and access to information.
Anti-Bribery and Corruption:
All forms of corruption, including bribery, extortion, and embezzlement, are prohibited. Bribes will not be given or accepted, nor will intermediaries be used to engage in corrupt practices in business, government relations, or obtaining undue advantages. Adequate systems will be in place to prevent corruption and comply with applicable laws.
Fair Competition:
Business will be conducted in a manner consistent with fair and robust competition and compliant with all applicable antitrust laws. Fair business practices, including accurate and truthful advertising, will be followed.
Animal Welfare:
Animals will be treated humanely, minimizing pain and stress. Animal testing will only be conducted after considering procedures to replace animals, reduce the number of animals used, or minimize distress. Alternatives will be used where scientifically valid and accepted by regulators.
Data Privacy and Security:
Confidential information will be protected and appropriately used to safeguard the privacy rights of employees, patients, subjects, and donors. Compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws will be ensured, and the security and lawful use of personal data will be maintained.
Avoidance and Management of Conflicts of Interest:
Reasonable care will be taken to identify, avoid, and manage conflicts of interest. If a real or potential conflict of interest arises, suppliers are expected to inform all affected parties.
Product Protection and Quality:
Management and security systems will ensure the protection of products, components, and ingredients against risks of tampering, adulteration, or theft for illegal resale purposes.
HUMAN RIGHTS
We are committed to respecting the human rights of internal and external stakeholders and treating everyone with dignity and respect. These Principles identify rights that may have the most widespread and direct adverse impacts on businesses. PSCI member companies are committed to regularly assessing any negative human rights impacts they may cause or contribute to through their business practices, including purchasing and other supply chain activities.
Forced, bonded, or indentured labor, involuntary prison labor, human trafficking, or any form of modern slavery will not be tolerated. No employee will pay recruitment fees or be deprived of their freedom of movement.
Child labor will not be used. Employment of young workers under the age of 18 will only occur in non-hazardous work and when they are above a country’s legal employment age or the age for completing compulsory education.
Efforts will be made to provide an equal working environment free from discrimination based on race, color, age, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, political opinion, union membership, or marital status.
A workplace free from harassment, harsh and inhumane treatment, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion, or verbal abuse, will be ensured.
Employees will be paid in compliance with applicable wage laws, including minimum wages, overtime hours, and mandatory benefits, in line with agreed employment contracts. Overtime work must be voluntary and comply with applicable national and international standards.
Open communication and direct participation with employees to resolve workplace and compensation issues (social dialogue) will be encouraged.
Respect will be shown to the rights of local communities surrounding facilities, including the right to a clean and healthy environment.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment while supporting the well-being of our employees.
Our health and safety measures extend to contractors and subcontractors working within our facilities.
Our Principles:
To ensure workplace safety, we have established appropriate risk assessments and emergency response plans.
Safety information regarding hazardous substances (including pharmaceutical compounds and intermediates) must be accessible to protect our employees from potential hazards and to provide necessary training.
Proper hygiene and cleanliness practices are fundamental in our work environments, and maintaining workplace safety and organization is an integral part of our corporate culture.
Our employees are protected from exposure to chemical, biological, and physical hazards. In line with occupational health and safety risk assessments, appropriate equipment, facilities, and services are provided.
Depending on our field of operations, we identify and mitigate risks associated with chemical and biological hazards to prevent catastrophic releases.
Both our company and our suppliers are responsible for identifying and assessing workplace emergency risks and implementing emergency response plans and procedures to minimize their impact.
ENVIRONMENT
We operate in an environmentally responsible and efficient manner to minimize our ecological footprint. With a life-cycle perspective, we encourage our business partners within the supply chain to adopt sustainable practices.
We take necessary measures to conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, protect biodiversity, and minimize the use of clean water and hazardous materials.
Our Principles:
We and our suppliers comply with all applicable environmental regulations. All necessary environmental permits, licenses, registrations, and restrictions are obtained and adhered to in accordance with operational and reporting requirements.
All waste, wastewater, and emissions that have the potential to adversely impact human health or the environment are managed appropriately, and necessary precautions are taken. This includes managing the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients into the environment (Pharmaceuticals in the Environment - PiE).
We monitor and actively work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging our suppliers to take similar actions.
By prioritizing renewable and sustainable resources, designing processes for circularity, implementing efficiency-enhancing measures, and reducing natural resource consumption (including water), we strive for optimal resource utilization.
Wherever possible, we assess our impact on biodiversity and take measures to reduce and mitigate our ecological footprint.
We implement the necessary systems to prevent and mitigate accidental spills and releases that could negatively impact the environment and local communities.
The Altis Code of Conduct includes:
The Employment Agreement, Code of Ethical Conduct, Altis and Responsible Supply Chain Management Principles, Environmental and Occupational Safety Policy, Disciplinary Regulations, and Personnel Management Guidelines.