Compliance

GeoVille´s commitment to legal compliance and ethical standards 

GeoVille and its employees are committed to upholding responsible and sustainable business practices, strictly avoiding any involvement in illegal activities, bribery, or corruption. We operate in full compliance with applicable laws and license obligations and adhere to international guidelines, such as those from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), to prevent corruption and bribery.

The following guidelines are intended to help identify, prevent, and respond to instances of corruption or bribery. They are based on the regulations of national bodies and international organizations, such as the Austrian Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption and relevant OECD standards.

1. Legal requirements and social responsibility

GeoVille is dedicated to maintaining high ethical and legal standards in corporate governance. We adhere to applicable laws and respect the rights of our employees, partners, and the environment. Our ethical behaviour guidelines (see Section 3) are binding for all employees and outline compliance measures aimed at preventing and detecting foreign bribery. These guidelines address areas including:

• Gifts
• Hospitality, entertainment, and expenses
• Customer travel
• Political contributions
• Charitable donations and sponsorships
• Facilitation payments
• Solicitation and extortion

GeoVille extends these standards to its business partners, including agents, consultants, representatives, contractors, suppliers, and joint venture partners (detailed in Section 6). Legal obligations relevant to GeoVille’s business as a private limited company are monitored and regularly reported to ensure ongoing compliance.

2. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery policy

GeoVille supports and complies with national and international anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and guidelines, such as those issued by the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption in Austria and international bodies like the OECD and the United Nations. These standards are incorporated into GeoVille’s ethical behaviour guidelines.

3. GeoVille ethical behaviour guidelines

Our ethical behaviour guidelines provide clear instructions to avoid involvement in corrupt practices and ensure lawful conduct. The core principles include:

• Act in accordance with the law: Comply with all applicable laws and publicly reject unethical practices.
• Maintain objectivity: Consult with colleagues or superiors regarding concerns about partner or customer behaviour, report issues promptly, and ensure transparency.
• Reject gifts that compromise Integrity: Politely decline any gifts or advantages intended to influence decision-making and act independently.
• Prohibit improper financial conduct: Do not offer, promise, or authorize payments or advantages to secure business or improper benefits.
• Exercise professionalism: Lead by example, maintain professionalism in all situations, and use social networks responsibly.
• Respect human rights: Treat colleagues with fairness, respect open communication, support constructive feedback, and protect human rights at all times.
• Environmental responsibility: Act responsibly toward the environment by reducing pollution and adopting sustainable practices.

4. Compliance monitoring and ethical behaviour assessment

GeoVille regularly assesses compliance with legal and ethical standards during project and management reviews, ensuring transparency in business practices. GeoVille has implemented financial and accounting controls designed to maintain fair and accurate records and prevent the concealment of illicit activities.

In the event of suspected legal violations or bribery, employees are required to inform management immediately, and GeoVille may take preventive or remedial action as necessary.

5. Awareness and Consequences

GeoVille actively communicates its compliance and ethical behavior guidelines through regular training and awareness-building measures, including staff meetings and intranet updates. New employees are introduced to these guidelines, and all staff are notified of updates. Violations of these standards or related laws may lead to disciplinary measures.

GeoVille regularly reviews and updates its ethics and compliance programs to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

6. Expectations for stakeholders’ legal compliance

GeoVille expects all stakeholders, including suppliers and contractors, to uphold similar ethical and legal standards in line with the conventions of the International Labour Organization, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the OECD guidelines, and the UN Global Compact principles. Non-compliance with these principles by stakeholders or their subcontractors may lead to a termination of the business relationship.