Introduction
The Code of Ethics is the fundamental charter of moral rights and duties that defines the ethical-social responsibility of each member of the company organisation of ‘SANTAGATA 1907 S.p.A’ (hereinafter referred to as the company or corporation).
It proposes to constitute an effective means of preventing irresponsible, or possibly unlawful, behaviour by those who operate in the name of and on behalf of the company by introducing a clear and explicit definition of the responsibilities of each company operator towards those who are involved directly, or indirectly, in the company’s activities such as customers, suppliers, employees, collaborators, public institutions and anyone else affected by the company’s activities. Its addressees are called upon to strictly comply with the values and principles proposed and contained therein and are required to protect and preserve, through their conduct, the respectability and image of the Company, as well as the integrity of its economic, social and human assets.
The Code of Ethics does not, however, replace existing laws and does not override the existing National Collective Labour Agreement.
Through the Code of Ethics, the company intends, in particular:
- define and make explicit the values and general ethical principles that support its business activities and relations with customers, suppliers, partners, employees, collaborators, administrators, public institutions and any other party involved in the company’s activities;
- formalise the commitment to behave on the basis of the ethical principles of moral legitimacy, fairness and equality, protection of the person, diligence, transparency, honesty, confidentiality, impartiality, and protection of health;
- indicate to its employees, collaborators and directors the principles of conduct, values and responsibilities respected in the course of their work;
- define implementation tools and methodology.
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Santagata 1907 S.p.a. has been active in the edible oil sector for more than a century. The company, dedicated to the selection of high-quality olive oils and extra virgin olive oils, which are then distributed in Italy and around the world, was founded by Giovanni Battista Santagata in 1907 in Camogli, a small fishing village on the Ligurian Riviera. Today, five generations later, after being listed in the Italian Historical Companies Register (2012), the Santagata family continues to operate with the same passion, dedication and professionalism shown by the founder.
Attention and respect for all those who come into contact with the Company have led Santagata to develop a particular sensitivitỳ regarding its social responsibility, prompting it to adopt reference standards for the market sector in which it operates, capable of measuring its performance and evaluating it in the light of the ethical principles expressed thus far.
The company has obtained the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), both IFS (International Featured Standards) and BRC (British Retail Consortium) certifications, based on an evaluation method shared throughout the world to qualify and select food suppliers that respect parameters of excellence in relation to food quality and safety. It has also obtained organic product conformity (ICEA), Kosher approval, registration by the US Food and Drug Administration and, finally, Halal certification (World Halal Authority).
With this Code of Ethics, the company wanted to clearly express the values, faithfully followed over time, that have inspired the Santagata family’s entrepreneurial choices for over 100 years.
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This Code of Ethics is an integral part of the Organisational and Control Model adopted by Santagata. It is intended to crystallise procedures and conduct inspired by the required principles of fairness and diligence, which have always governed the actions of every member of the organisation, and disseminate externally the rules of ethical conduct that have made it a respected company in its sector and in the national economic panorama, with the aim of clarifying its own modus operandi and making its suppliers aware of the need to align themselves with these principles.
The Company’s design is to ensure that the principles, values and rules set out in the Code inspire future generations and, today, all those who operate, internally or externally, in Santagata’s sphere of action: its stakeholders. In particular, the addressees of the rules identified in the Code of Ethics are all members of the Board of Directors, employees and professionals who collaborate with the Company.
Everyone is required to observe the principles contained in the Code of Ethics and, at the same time, to ensure that they are observed by anyone operating with Santagata. The Company’s commitment to ensure that this happens, as has always been the case, takes shape in its willingness to disseminate the Code, making it available to all, as a useful tool for everyone to understand how the claim to act in the interest of the company can never justify the adoption of conduct in contrast with the principles herein.
Santagata hopes that the dissemination of the principles addressed here will reach its employees, such as suppliers and professionals engaged by the Company, who are required not only to observe the Code of Ethics but to bring it to life in every manifestation of their will as in the exercise of their duties.
To view the entire Code of Ethics of Santagata 1907 S.p.A., you can download the file here.