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Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2018
Management Overview Foreword
of sustainability
Responsible
banker
Fair partner –
Human Resources
Fair partner –
Inhouse ecology
Engaged
citizen
GRI index and
Assurance report
RBI as well as all other business partners are expected to apply rules and standards that are identical or comparable
to those set out in the Code. It is based on the fundamental Raiffeisen values and is oriented towards the specific
requirements of everyday business at home and abroad. This includes observing laws including supporting the
fight against money laundering and terrorism, implementing financial sanctions, prohibiting fraud, corruption and
bribery, as well as respect for the fundamental rights of employees and environmental legislation.
The Management Board of RBI AG has the ultimate responsibility for the CoC; the Chair is also the highest
authority on issues of sustainability. Operational responsibility for implementing the CoC in all global group units
lies with the respective competent management bodies. The division head responsible for compliance is tasked
with coordinating the activities in connection with the CoC. This person is also responsible for all issues relating to
compliance with selected legal requirements. In addition, all members of management are responsible for ensuring
compliance with the CoC in their own areas of responsibility.
Human rights violations may generate illicit profit, support slavery and human trafficking, promote
the continuation of poor working conditions, and lead to other abuses. RBI strives to further
improve the implemented controls concerning financed projects and corporate customers as well
as concerning existing and potential suppliers. RBI also does not directly or indirectly finance any
businesses, projects or parties in which human rights violations are discernible. Our employees have been
instructed to take information on forced or child labor into account and, in case of doubt, to involve Compliance.
The CoC was revised in 2017 and adapted to improved standards according to international
practices and the “ethical bank” concept. The current version was the focus of extensive consultation
with various stakeholders and was approved by the Management Board of RBI AG in January
2018. The content was restructured to be more readable and transparent. The new wording is
more principle-based, and clearer requirements and obligations have been established. The previous text was
rephrased and explanatory elements were reduced. A number of existing and otherwise binding elements
were merged together under new headings. New topics were added in accordance with internal and
external developments (such as with regard to sustainability, social media, financial crime, corporate
governance, internal control system). With regard to the sensitive business fields of “Nuclear Energy”, “War
Materials”, and “Gambling”, internal policies were passed, which must be adhered to by all employees.
Furthermore, RBI is one of the signatory companies of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and is
therefore committed to consistently complying with the ten UNGC principles of responsible
business. These principles include the core areas of human rights, labor standards, environmental
protection and combating corruption. The concomitant attitude of global responsibility is
expected of all staff and managers as well as of partners and suppliers (see also page 11).