Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions about integrity at ABB. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of ABB's integrity officers.

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• What are the ABB business principles?

  The ABB business principles are responsibility, respect and determination. Assuming responsibility, and acting with respect and determination makes it possible to nurture ABB’s traditional strengths – our technology leadership, our pioneering spirit and our ability to be at home everywhere. That is our legacy, and our future.

  The key to success lies in how well all of us understand and apply the business principles – demonstrating personal, professional and corporate responsibility, showing respect for the views and needs of others and applying our shared determination to win.

• Does ABB have a Code of Conduct?

  Yes, ABB has a Code of Conduct based on the company principles of responsibility, respect and determination. The ABB Code of Conduct is the framework that explains the behavior ABB expects of every employee and stakeholder around the world.

• Who is expected to follow the ABB Code of Conduct?

  We expect all of our employees to read, acknowledge and follow the ABB Code of Conduct which is in sync with local laws. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action, and may lead to termination of employment with ABB.

  Additionally, we expect ABB third parties, consultants, contractors, and anyone assigned to provide temporary work or services for ABB, to follow the ABB Code of Conduct in connection to their work for our company. Failure to do so may result in termination of their relationship with ABB.

• Does ABB have a supplier Code of Conduct?

  Yes. The ABB Supplier Code of Conduct is integrated into our day-to-day operations and is a fundamental part of our supplier qualification, development, and evaluation requirements.

• When did ABB change from compliance to integrity and what does it mean?

  For many years, the compliance program built a strong foundation of uncompromising insistence that we comply with the law wherever we do business and always abide by the rules. The change from compliance to integrity in 2011 marks a significant next step in our maturity as a company, reflecting our aspiration to embrace standards of conduct that are even higher compared to our old compliance requirements which always incorporated integrity.

  From strict compliance with the letter of the law driven by top-down communications, we are now evolving toward a business driven model supported by individual accountability and personal ownership of our business principles while fully complying with all applicable local laws.

• Where can I report integrity concerns?

  Reports may be made to a supervisor, a regional or country integrity officer, the chief integrity officer, an ombudsperson, or the ABB Business Ethics Hotline.

  Employees are not just encouraged but required to speak up and to report any suspected or observed violations of the law, the ABB Code of Conduct or if they are asked to do something that might be a violation.

• Who can report integrity concerns?

  All employees can report integrity concerns. Additionally, any stakeholder that has a business relationship with ABB can report integrity concerns as well.

  Some of the European business ethics hotlines are restricted due to local data privacy legislation. France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and Spain hotline reports can only be made to the integrity office through the local hotline if the scopes of the allegations are limited to:

  • serious breach of occupational health and safety or environmental hazard
  • financial security in financial markets
  • prevention of fraud
  • accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing
  • bribery
  • banking and financial crime
  • insider trading
• What type of concerns can be reported?

  All ABB Code of Conduct violations may be reported, including but not limited to:

  • Ethics and compliance issues, fraud, misconduct, corruption, financial issues, conflicts of interest, insider trading or antitrust regulations, theft, embezzlement
  • Employee relations and human resources issues, such as harassment, discrimination, improper workplace conduct or immigration issues
  • Loss prevention and asset protection
  • Workplace violence and alcohol/drug abuse
  • Environment, health and safety, such as occupational health and safety violations
  • See the full list of classifications of issues
• Will my report remain confidential?

  ABB will take all reasonable steps to ensure confidentiality throughout the reporting process, so people filing reports should not fear that their identity or issue will be improperly disclosed or abused. Complaints made in good faith will not expose any reporter to sanctions. However, knowingly providing false or misleading information will not be tolerated by ABB and may lead to sanctions.

• What type of information should I include in my report?

  When making your report, please be aware that the information you provide or the allegations that you make could result in decisions that affect employees of ABB and other third parties involved in the matter. We therefore kindly ask you to provide us only with information that is accurate to the best of your knowledge.

  We also ask that you provide all relevant facts, dates, persons, details and explanations in relation to your report that could assist the ABB integrity office in their investigation of the matter. Reports which cannot be substantiated will not justify further investigation or review.

• Who will investigate my report?

  All reports come into the office of special investigations, a function of the integrity team reporting to the chief integrity officer at ABB headquarters in Zurich which is tasked with investigating integrity concerns.

• Who determines the appropriate disciplinary action to resolve my issue?

  The office of special investigations is in charge of collecting all relevant facts and substantiating any integrity reports that come into the ABB integrity office.

  ABB applies the Human Resources Disciplinary Action Protocol to deal with individual consequences of integrity and compliance matters. ABB employs Human Resources Disciplinary Committees at headquarters and in the regions to implement disciplinary decisions based on investigative results.

• Does ABB have a policy regarding gifts, entertainment and expenses?

  Yes. Our group directive on gift, entertainment and expenses covers both giving and receiving. As a company, we respect a global thresholds and approval processes, taking into consideration local standards in the various regions in which we do business.

  Read about your gifts, entertainment and expenses policies

• Does ABB have a policy regarding political and charitable contributions?

  Political contributions shall only be made when in-line with ABB’s business principles, acceptable under applicable law and when deemed appropriate for the benefit of the community. Strict approval procedures must be observed under all circumstances before a political contribution is made.

  ABB supports charitable contributions that encourage economic, environmental, social and educational development. It is imperative however, that all charitable contributions made in cash or in kind, whether large or small, are approved in accordance with our group directive on charitable contributions before they are offered or made. There are no exceptions to this rule.

  We recognize the importance of promoting and participating in community engagement activities that foster economic, environmental, social and educational development as part of our commitment to the communities in which we operate. It is imperative to remember, however, that charitable contributions are often subject to special legislation that varies from country to country. In some countries certain contributions may even be strictly prohibited by law and may in fact constitute a bribe under applicable legislation.

  A charitable contribution may only be given for public benefit (ie, social, educational, environmental and cultural purposes) to an organization or association.

• Does ABB report about its charitable contributions?

  Yes, please visit the Annual Sustainability Performance Report for additional information about ABB’s charitable contributions.

• Who should I contact to ask questions about integrity at ABB?

  You may send a letter to:
  ABB Group Legal and Integrity ABB Ltd.
  Affolternstrasse 44, P.O. Box
  CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland
  
  

• Is there an overview of ABB's Integrity Program available to download?

  Yes, you can download an overview of ABB's Integrity Program here.