CEZ Group’s Anti-bribery Policy
GRI 3-3, 205-3
Since 2021, our anti-bribery management system (ABMS) has been certified according to ISO 37001:2016 in the Procurement and Compliance departments. We were the first company listed on the Prague Stock Exchange and the first energy company in Central Europe to meet the international standard.
In 2022, we successfully completed the first surveillance audit as part of the certification. It was reconfirmed that ČEZ, a. s., has set up and maintains a comprehensive and effective ABMS in accordance with the requirements of the standard.
The ISO certification is another step in our efforts to contribute to an ethical and transparent environment. Certification crowns the long-term development of a robust compliance management system based on zero tolerance for corruption. Furthermore, the internationally recognized certificate provides all stakeholders with a guarantee that we continuously take systemic measures to uphold ethical and lawful conduct. For example, we use the four-eyes principle, segregation of duties, limits on the value of gifts, third-party due diligence, a ban on facilitating payments, and rules for negotiating brokerage contracts.
No confirmed case of bribery or corruption was registered in CEZ Group in 2022.
CEZ Group upholds the highest standards of transparency and fully abides by its Code of Conduct. We maintain a strictly apolitical position: we do not engage in public politics, do not exert any political influence, do not provide any political contributions, and do not support any political parties, political events, and initiatives with political agenda. We do not provide any gifts, donations, or financial contributions to political parties, political movements, or political organizations, foundations, associations, or other political legal entities or political individuals. We do not grant any donations to trade unions or organizations promoting union interests. We do not support or give donations to the authorities, local administrations, and religious groups. We do not provide any financial contributions to organizations or persons in situations that might lead to a conflict of interest or an unfair gain or advantage.
CEZ Group promotes its interests in the European Union through the Public Affairs Office in Brussels, which has three employees. We are registered in the EU Transparency Register as ČEZ 429600710582-32. We abide by the rules of lobbying – a standard means of advocacy in a democratic legal environment.
We have zero tolerance for corruption and fraud. Our anti-bribery policy and anti-corruption management system is certified by ISO 37001:2016. We are the first company listed on the Prague Stock Exchange and the first energy company in Central Europe to meet this international standard.
We consider regulatory, legislative, and public administration bodies as our stakeholders. Our cooperation with authorities is based on correctness, transparency, and mutual respect.
Any civic or political engagement of our employees must not harm CEZ Group’s reputation. Our employees must refrain from any conflicts of interest or activities that conflict with their work and activities performed for CEZ Group.
We require our suppliers to abide by the legally binding Commitment to Ethical Standards, which prohibits bribery and corruption and demands the highest possible level of propriety and transparency when dealing with public authorities or politically exposed persons.