Vertiv Pillars of Integrity & Compliance
Vertiv is committed to conducting business with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which we operate.
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.
Report a Code of Conduct Concern
Revised Code of Conduct
On November 24, 2021, the Company amended the Vertiv Code of Conduct. 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).
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 principles. 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 responsible 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 expect that our suppliers adhere to the highest ethical standards, applicable laws and regulations, and flow the Vertiv values through our own supply chains.
Human Rights
Vertiv respects the dignity and human rights of individuals and expects that our suppliers and business partners do the same. Vertiv 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 compliance and integrity hotline.
- We do not permit retaliation against employees that report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or workplace violence in good faith.
Vertiv's Commitment to Efficiency
- We improve product performance to help customers meet their objectives for conserving energy and water and reducing their carbon footprint.
- We implement processes and innovations in our facilities to conserve energy, water and other resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- We comply with all applicable laws and regulations and seek to reduce and, where possible, eliminate hazardous waste through source reduction and recycling.
- We conduct regular training to ensure our employees’ knowledge of updated laws and regulations, pollution-prevention and waste-minimization practices, and technological developments.
- We audit our operations to confirm compliance with these principles.
Foundations for Inclusion
In line with our commitment to integrity and compliance with laws, Vertiv’s Code of Conduct outlines the company’s expectations for employees and other stakeholders. This document encompasses various aspects of conduct, including key principles of inclusion, which are outlined as follows:
- We promote inclusion and equal opportunities with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation and occupational health, without discrimination.
- Employees are encouraged to expand the diversity of candidate pools and to be open and welcoming to a variety of different points of view and backgrounds.
- We wish to build and foster an inclusive culture where employees have opportunities to grow, develop, lead and effect positive change.
Embedded within our Code of Conduct is our Equal Employment Opportunity policy, which unequivocally asserts our commitment to preventing discrimination or harassment against any employee or applicant based on age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, disability or any other status or characteristic safeguarded by applicable law.
Quality
Quality remains a top priority throughout Vertiv’s design and manufacturing operations. Our quality management aligns with ISO 9001:2015 standards across all manufacturing facilities. Our Global Quality Policy underscores our dedication to maintaining stringent quality standards, and we provide an up-to-date list of our ISO certifications on our website.
https://www.vertiv.com/en-us/support/quality-policy-and-certifications/
Vertiv Corporate EHS Policy
Our Corporate Environment and Safety Policies establish comprehensive requirements and standards for Environment, Health and Safety practices throughout our organization. These policies apply to all Vertiv employees, contractors and visitors present on our premises or working elsewhere on our behalf.
To complement this policy, we have developed an EHS manual that offers detailed guidance on a wide range of EHS subjects, as well as site-specific policies and procedures.
The mission of Vertiv’s EHS Team is to protect Vertiv and Vertiv’s employees from environmental, health, and safety risks so they can be prosperous and achieve their goals.
A robust ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) system is critical to that mission while allowing Vertiv to be both commercially successful and socially responsible.