The policies
Further guidance on specific operational issues is given in our policies. We have chosen 13 areas where mutual understanding will help us operate: bioethics, business ethics, communication, environment, finance, global health, information technology, legal, occupational health and safety, people, purchasing, quality and risk management. The policies give operational guidelines within these areas.
Bioethics Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will continuously improve our bioethical performance.
This means that we will:
- promote bioethical awareness throughout the company
- establish and ensure high ethical standards for:
|
- engage in stakeholder dialogue and partnerships, and report on our performance
- live up to the spirit, values, principles and content of relevant conventions, laws and requirements.
Business Ethics Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will conduct our business according to a high ethical standard, living our values and protecting Novo Nordisk’s reputation.
This means that we will:
- adhere to the principles of the UN Convention against Corruption
- conduct business with integrity, honesty and professionalism
- work against bribery in any form.
Communication Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will communicate effectively with all our stakeholders.
This means that our communication will be:
- clear – understandable and to the point
- credible – open, honest and timely, both when news is good and bad
- relevant – customised to meet the information needs of the people we communicate with
- consistent – aligned with the company’s vision, values and strategies
- respectful – to all the people we communicate with and about
- two-way – listening and facilitating dialogue with all our stakeholders.
Environmental Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will continuously improve our environmental performance.
This means that we will:
- promote environmental awareness and integrate environmental considerations into our business processes
- develop and apply sustainable processes and products
- reduce our use of resources and strive to prevent pollution
- monitor and evaluate environmental performance throughout the entire supply chain
- engage in stakeholder dialogue and partnerships and report on our performance
- comply with environmental legislation and relevant requirements.
Finance Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will grow as an independent company by maintaining our financial flexibility and by delivering a competitive shareholder return.
This means that we will:
- pursue challenging short- and long-term financial targets
- integrate a financial perspective in key business decisions
- ensure that financial resources are available to pursue business opportunities at a competitive cost of capital
- apply best proven financial methods by using global systems and processes
- pursue a competitive tax level in a responsible way
- comply with principles of good corporate governance.
Global Health Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will discover, develop and provide high-quality products and services, contributing to the well-being of people all over the world.
This means that we will:
- consider the World Health Organization’s platform of ‘Health for All’ an inspiring goal
- carry out research to make new and better therapies, products and services available, covering unmet medical needs
- take initiatives to make our products and services accessible to those who need them
- contribute to the development of sustainable healthcare systems
- advocate equal rights and accessibility to healthcare for people suffering from diseases within our areas of expertise.
Information Technology Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will apply the best and proven information technology to support our global competitiveness.
This means that we will:
- ensure business-driven, global IT strategies
- apply efficient IT governance practices to maximise benefits of projects, systems and infrastructure
- pursue global use of standard software from a limited range of suppliers
- manage IT costs by making them transparent and competitive
- mitigate IT risks by applying balanced security controls.
Legal Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will conduct our business in compliance with the letter and spirit of all laws and regulations governing the activities of the company.
This means that we will:
- comply with laws and regulations in all jurisdictions
- ensure high legal standards and good corporate governance practices
- work within the law to protect and benefit the business, assets and interests of the company
- preserve and protect free and open competition and avoid abusive behaviour which may distort competition, especially where we hold a dominant position in the market
- protect the integrity of our employees.
Occupational Health and Safety Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will continuously improve our occupational health and safety performance.
This means that we will:
- provide a safe and healthy working environment for everyone
- motivate and educate everyone to be accountable in all matters regarding occupational health and safety
- comply with occupational health and safety legislation and relevant requirements
- ensure that working environment is not compromised for economic or productivity reasons.
People Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will attract, develop and retain competent people globally.
This means that we will:
- stay attractive as a workplace through an engaging culture built on our values, social responsibility and global business results
- give equal opportunities to all present and future people, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, nationality, ethnic and social origin, disability, political or sexual orientation and family status
- offer a workplace that supports a healthy lifestyle
- ensure that our people have a clear understanding of the patients’ wishes, needs and expectations
- support our people to develop their qualifications, competences,employability and career opportunities
- offer competitive remuneration and employment conditions.
Purchasing Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will procure goods and services at best terms balancing price with quality and risk as well as social, environmental and ethical responsibility.
This means that we will:
- interact with our suppliers in a competent and proactive way
- establish close cooperation with suppliers that supply products or services of strategic importance
- purchase from approved suppliers
- comply with procedures and systems available for purchase of all types of products and services
- accept no hospitality or gifts that may influence business decisions.
Quality Policy
In Novo Nordisk we are committed to quality in everything we do.
This means that we will:
- set ambitious quality goals
- secure that all employees share the commitment to quality
- measure and evaluate the quality, in order to continuously improve our products, service to customers and the way we work
- maintain the Quality Management System building on relevant laws, requirements, ISO 9000 standards and Novo Nordisk’s Values and Fundamentals.
Risk Management Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will manage risks to enable continued growth of our business and to protect our people, assets and reputation.
This means that we will:
- utilise an effective and integrated risk management process while maintaining business flexibility
- identify and assess material risks associated with our business
- monitor, manage and mitigate risks.
