Vertiv Pillars of Ethics & Compliance
At Vertiv, we are committed to doing business in accordance with the highest ethical standards, and we do that through living our core values.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct (our “Code”) is to guide all employees and members of the board of directors (“Board Members”) of Vertiv Holdings Co and its affiliates (collectively, “Vertiv”) around the world on how we do business. This Code outlines the actions and behaviors expected from every Vertiv team member so that all who interact with Vertiv can consistently rely on our integrity. Unless otherwise indicated in this Code, the term “employees” includes its officers.
Code of Conduct (French European)
Code of Ethics (German)
*Updates pending for Vertiv Integrated System GmbH and Vertiv GmbH.
Revised Code of Conduct
On November 24, 2021, the Company amended the Vertiv Code of Conduct (formerly titled the Vertiv Code of Ethics). This amendment did not change the values and principles of the Code; rather the Company revised the Code to:
- Reorganize the Code so as to more effectively group key concepts together to further enhance reader experience;
- Expand certain sections that are exceptionally nuanced and that continue to evolve from a regulatory perspective, to provide current guidance and additional real world examples;
- Provide additional specificity in certain sections based on the Company’s continued growth and areas of operational focus; and
- Further emphasize certain concepts that are important to the Company’s core values, including diversity and equal opportunity, corporate social responsibility, and protection against company waste of assets.
The updated Vertiv Code of Conduct has become effective for all Vertiv subsidiaries except for Vertiv Integrated System GmbH and Vertiv GmbH (both pending local approval). The full text of the Code has been posted to the Company’s website (http://www.vertiv.com).
Throughout my 20-plus years with the company, I’ve always been proud of belonging to an organization that puts uncompromising integrity at the center of how we conduct ourselves and our business. As Vertiv’s CEO, I want to vigorously protect and perpetuate that legacy by highlighting the importance of our Code of Conduct.
Vertiv’s Code of Conduct mandates that we treat our co-workers, partners and customers with respect and professionalism, and in compliance with laws, at all times. These clearly defined values and principles are also a promise to our customers. Through our commitment to unparalleled integrity, customers know they are dealing with a trustworthy company comprised of individuals who will do the right thing in the right way. This extends to all who do business with us and to everywhere we operate. I am confident that as Vertiv continues to grow and develop, our enduring commitment to uncompromising integrity will allow us to continue providing enhanced value to our customers while helping us create the high-performance culture that will not only support our business goals, but also make us a global employer of choice.
Anti-Corruption
Vertiv has established internal policies and controls that enforce compliance by all employees, officers, and directors with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.K. Bribery Act, the Brazil Clean Company Act 2014 (Law No. 12,846), and related anti-corruption laws of the countries in which we do business. Vertiv employees, officers, and directors are prohibited from directly or indirectly offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving any form of bribe, kickback, or other corrupt payment, or anything of value, to or from any person or organization, including government agencies, individual government officials, and private companies or their employees under any circumstances. This prohibition applies worldwide, with no exception to perceived customs, local practices, or competitive conditions. Further, this prohibition applies equally to any person or company acting on Vertiv’s behalf, such as sales agents, distributors, representatives, service providers, contractors, suppliers, and joint venture partners.
Fair Competition
Vertiv will succeed by its employees, officers, and directors competing fairly and living by the Vertiv core values. Representatives of Vertiv may not:
- discuss directly with a competitor of Vertiv any pricing or product information, such as manufacturing cost, production capacity, product roadmaps, bidding practices, or any nonpublic business information of Vertiv;
- use any improper means to obtain a competitor’s confidential information or trade secrets;
- knowingly use a competitor’s confidential information or trade secrets without express written permission from such competitor;
- use negative selling techniques, such as disparaging competitors by using false statements; or
- use tactics to eliminate competition in markets where Vertiv is a leader, such as selling below cost.
Vertiv is committed to conducting business fairly, responsibly, and in compliance with law in each country in which we operate.
We demand honest and ethical business practices from our employees, officers, and directors, as well as our distributors, agents, and business partners throughout the world.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Vertiv expects its suppliers to project its values and principles, to stay current with technology, to act with integrity, and to treat people and the environment with respect. These actions reflect Vertiv’s priorities. In this way, we partner with only the highest caliber suppliers that demonstrate social responsibility and a commitment to fairness and honesty.
Vertiv has established a Supplier Code of Conduct and we expect each supplier to adhere to its principles. Vertiv may discontinue its relationship with a supplier that fails to comply with the Supplier Code of Conduct.
Supplier Code of Conduct (PDF - English)
Supplier Code of Conduct (PDF - Mandarin)
Efforts to Prevent Slavery and Human Trafficking
Vertiv is committed to complying with all applicable laws and employment regulations where we operate and does not engage in forced labor or human trafficking. Vertiv’s policies oppose—and we prohibit our suppliers from using—any form of forced, bonded, or indentured labor.
Statement on Efforts to Combat Slavery and Human Trafficking
Conflict Minerals
Vertiv supports efforts to end the human suffering and environmental impact that have been associated with mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. Tracing the origins of minerals throughout a global supply chain is a complex process, and this can only be accomplished with the cooperation and support of a vast number of industries and stakeholders.
Vertiv continues to work with its suppliers and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies and systems to reduce the risk that minerals in our supply chain come from mines that finance or benefit armed groups in the DRC region, and Vertiv expects our supply base to acquire minerals from responsible sources.
Vertiv is committed to extending our values and positive impact of our operations to all communities in which we, and our suppliers, operate.
The Vertiv Supplier Code of Conduct applies equally to every one of our suppliers. We require that our suppliers adhere to the highest ethical standards, applicable laws and regulations, and flow the Vertiv values through our own supply chains.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Vertiv respects the dignity and human rights of individuals and requires that our suppliers and business partners do the same. Vertiv fully supports and seeks to adhere to the principles of both the United Nations Global Compact and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- We do not accept forced, indentured, or prison labor.
- We comply with local minimum age laws and requirements and do not employ child labor.
- We protect our employees from harassment and an offensive or hostile work environment.
- We will promptly investigate any reports of discrimination, harassment, or workplace violence and promptly take corrective action.
- We encourage employees who observe or experience discrimination, harassment, or workplace violence to report such behavior to management or the Vertiv global ethics hotline.
- We do not permit retaliation against employees that report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or workplace violence in good faith.
Environment
To the greatest extent practicable, Vertiv will avoid negative impacts to the communities in which it operates, including to the soil, air, and water.
Vertiv is committed to meeting the requirements of the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014. These Regulations require producers of electrical and electronic equipment to finance the takeback, for reuse or recycling, of WEEE resulting from products that we placed on the Irish market. In line with that commitment Vertiv will take back WEEE from you.
For product that we placed on the market after August 13th, 2005 you do not need to make a new purchase from us to avail of the offer. However, for product that was placed on the market before August 13th, 2005 we are only obliged take it back when you make a purchase from us of a similar type of product.
Quality
Vertiv's world-class leadership and focus on corporate responsibility are embodied in our continual enhancements to our quality management systems: https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/support/quality-policy-and-certifications/
A Commitment to Diversity
At Vertiv, we are a company engineered to deliver solutions for critical technologies. And those solutions often come from having a variety of viewpoints and perspectives at the table. So it should come as no surprise that there's a spirit of inclusion found in everything we do. Having a wider range of experiences to draw from doesn't just make us a diverse company. It makes us a better company.
Vertiv works hard to create a global workplace that supports and promotes diversity, embraces inclusion and cultivates respect for the individual. We believe that bringing together bright, enthusiastic, and talented people from various backgrounds promotes the birth of new ideas and an exciting energy level.
As a result, we have an active program to recruit and hire women and minorities to our management ranks. We seek to create an employer of choice environment in terms of promotions, transfers, compensation, benefits, career mentoring, company-sponsored training, tuition assistance and social and recreational programs for our employees.
Vertiv's Equal Employment Opportunity policy ensures that there will be no discrimination or harassment against an employee or applicant on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status or any other factor considered unlawful by applicable laws and regulations.
Health and Safety
Vertiv promotes safe and healthy work conditions for its employees worldwide, and encourages this effort through its supply chain.
Vertiv Corporate EHS Policy
Our corporate EHS Policy includes minimum requirements and standards for EHS across the company. It covers all Vertiv employees, as well as contractors and members of the public who are on company premises.
