Our principles
System Certifications Limited (SCL) general business principles apply to all our businesses within and outside Nigeria. The following are our unifying principles.
Our duties
At SCL these five areas of responsibility are seen as inseparable. SCL personnel must therefore continually assess the priorities and discharge their responsibilities as best they can based on that assessment.
- Shareholders: we are determined to protect their investments and provide acceptable returns.
- Customers: we shall continue to meet your needs by providing services of great value in terms of price, quality and safety, supported by the requisite technological, environmental and commercial expertise.
- Employees: we shall respect your human rights, provide you with good and safe working conditions, promote the best use of human talent, and encourage your participation in the planning and direction of your work at SCL.
- Business partners: we shall seek mutually beneficial relationships with our customers, contractors and suppliers and promote the application of these principles.
- Society: SCL will conduct its business as a responsible corporate member of society, observe the laws of the countries in which we operate, express support for fundamental human rights in line with the legitimate role of business, and give proper regard to health, safety and the environment, consistent with our commitment to contribute to sustainable development.
Business economics
SCL works in a wide variety of changing social, political and economic environments, but in general we believe that the interests of the community can be served most efficiently by a market economy. Criteria for investment decisions are not exclusively economic but also take into account social and environmental considerations and an appraisal of the security of the investment.
Business integrity
SCL insists on honesty, integrity and fairness in all aspects of our business and expects the same in our relationships with all those with whom we do business.
- The direct or indirect offer, payment, soliciting and acceptance of bribes in any form are unacceptable practices.
- Employees must avoid conflicts of interest between their private financial activities and their part in the conduct of company business.
- All business transactions on behalf of SCL must be reflected accurately and fairly in the accounts of the company, in accordance with established procedures, and be subject to audit.
Political activities
SCL acts in a socially responsible manner within the laws of the countries in which we operate in pursuit of our legitimate commercial objectives. We do not make payments to political parties, organisations or their representatives, or take any part in party politics. However, when dealing with governments, SCL has the right and the responsibility to make our position known on any matter which affects our employees, our customers, our shareholders or us. We also have the right to make our position known on matters affecting the community, where we have a contribution to make. Where individuals wish to engage in activities in the community, including standing for election to public office, they will be allowed to do so where this is appropriate in the light of local circumstances.
Community affairs
The most important contribution that companies can make to the social and material progress of the countries in which they operate is in performing their basic activities as effectively as possible. In addition, SCL takes a constructive interest in societal matters which may not be directly related to the business. Opportunities for involvement, for example through community, education or donation programmes, will vary depending on the size of the company concerned, the nature of the local society, and the scope for useful private initiatives.
Communication
SCL recognises that, given the importance of the activities in which we are engaged and our impact on national economies and individuals, open communication is essential. Refer to SCL-POL-NiNAS-003 Electronic Communication Policy, Rev. 1, and SCL-POL-NiNAS-007 Public Information Policy, Rev. 1.
To this end, SCL has comprehensive corporate information programmes and provides full relevant information about our activities to legitimately interested parties, subject to any overriding considerations of business confidentiality and cost.
Health, safety and environment
Consistent with our commitment to contribute to sustainable development, SCL has a systematic approach to health, safety and environmental management to achieve continuous performance improvement. To this end, SCL manages these matters as any other critical business activity, sets targets for improvement, and measures, appraises and reports performance.