Alcan’s Worldwide Code of Employee and Business Conduct helps ensure both ethical business behaviour and comprehensive respect for human rights across Alcan’s business activities. As well, Alcan supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

An effective ethics policy must be current and specific, in addition to being visible and known. Alcan’s Code of Conduct is shared with all employees, including those new to Alcan, through specific communication and training efforts. It is also made available to Alcan consultants and suppliers, all of whom are bound by its principles in their dealings with or on behalf of Alcan. Alcan endeavours to require compliance in every joint venture in which it participates, as the principles in the Code of Conduct are universal.

The Worldwide Code of Employee and Business Conduct is supplemented by a Policies Manual available to employees on the Company’s Intranet site. Existing and new employees benefit from an online Code of Conduct training tool launched in 2005 to maintain a high level of employee awareness and familiarity with it. The interactive program demonstrates how the principles embodied in Alcan’s Code of Conduct relate to the everyday work situations of individual employees.

A Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (including the CEO, CFO and Controller) is a further indication of Alcan’s commitment to sound corporate governance.

In 2002, Ombudsmen positions were established for Alcan Inc. and within each business group as a contact point for employees. The Ombudsmen serve as an additional resource for interpreting the Code of Conduct and reporting breaches. The Office of the Ombudsman also has an established procedure for reporting any suspected violations of securities laws (“whistle-blowing contacts”). The Code of Conduct is enforced through regular reviews and visits by senior and executive management to operations around the globe.

Figure 1: Alcan’s Governance and Management Framework
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