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Demant was founded on high ethical standards. Through our business ethics programme, we contribute to eliminating bribery and corruption, and our business areas and company brands are guided by individual quality policies and robust processes that ensure the highest level of product quality and safety.

 

business-ethic-ambitions

The business ethics programme reflects our commitment to a high level of business ethics and it lays the foundation for Demant’s larger sustainability agenda. The programme contains our Demant Group Code of Conduct, a global whistleblower system and a portfolio of global policies and guidelines in the business ethics area.

 


It is part of Demant’s responsibility to ensure the quality of our products and that they are safe to use. Working with quality is therefore vital for us to sustain the high standards and reliability of our products and to ensure the safety of our customers and users. We ensure that the Group complies with relevant regulations related to specific substances. All relevant substances, which are banned or restricted, are listed in the restricted list.

Relevant business areas within the Demant Group report individually on quality management in our Sustainability Report 2022. Please find publicly available quality policies below. 

Hearing Aids quality policy

Diagnostics quality policy 


Restricted list
We ensure that the Group complies with relevant regulations related to specific substances. All relevant substances, which are banned or restricted, are listed in the restricted list.

The restricted list is based on the following regulations:

  • Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS)
  • Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) directive
  • Toys directive

As far as conflict minerals are concerned, which are subject to the requirements of Dodd-Frank Section 1502 or Regulation (EU)2017/821, suppliers are requested to declare content.

On top of the mandatory legal requirements, we have imposed extra restrictions on our use of substances, e.g. a ban on the use of all phthalates and natural rubber latex.

 

 


Our Tax Policy ensures that we are tax-compliant and that we abide by domestic and international tax legislation, while securing a competitive tax rate for the Demant Group. The Policy applies globally. In accordance with the Demant Group Code of Conduct that reflects our commitment to a high level of business ethics, it is mandatory for Management and all employees in the Demant Group to comply with the Tax Policy.

In compliance with section 161, paragraph 19(2) and 22(2) of schedule 19 of Finance Act 2016, Demant confirms that the Group Tax Policy meets requirements with regard to the UK tax strategy, UK taxation and the HMRC. This Group Tax Policy applies to all UK sub-groups and qualifying UK companies, which are not part of a UK sub-group within the Demant Group, and is published on behalf of the following Demant company brands:

UK Sub-groups
Hidden Hearing International Plc
WDH UK Limited

Other qualifying companies directly owned by overseas parents
Oticon Limited
Bernafon (UK) Limited
Hidden Hearing (N.I.) Limited
EPOS Audio UK Limited

 

As a global business with suppliers all over the world, we are very aware of how we deal and interact with our suppliers. Demant’s direct suppliers are mainly linked to manufacturing. To ensure compliance, we require that agreements with direct suppliers are concluded under the Third Party Compliance Code.


The Code describes international standards and specific criteria that govern aspects of human and labour rights, including forced labour, child labour and young workers, freedom of association and non-discrimination, health and safety measures, environmental protection as well as privacy and ethics, including bribery and corruption.


Given their differences, relevant business areas report individually on how they work to ensure a responsible supply chain in our sustainability report.