TOTAL's values

Our ethical commitment is based on three core values – respect, accountability and exemplary behaviour.

Our Code of Conduct

For 10 years, our entire organisation has been bound by Total’s Code of Conduct which sets the parameters for our corporate and personal behaviour. Respect between colleagues at work, respect for human rights, anti-corruption, anti-fraud, respect for free competition and financial transparency are the focus of ongoing efforts and continuous improvement, cascaded at the local level through each business unit. Our Code of Conduct is based on major international reference documents, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the principles of the United Nations Global Compact. To ensure our commitments are fully understood, the Code is translated into 24 languages and distributed throughout the 130 countries where we are present.

Compliance with the Code

Compliance with the Code is monitored by Total’s Ethics Committee which reports to senior management and is in charge of adapting and facilitating the ethics process at Total. In 2010, the Group’s Ethics Committee provided advice on 73 referrals/questions from employees. This small number of cases reflects Total’s policy of endeavouring to resolve issues locally prior to escalation to the Group’s Ethics Committee. In recognition of our engagement, Total was invited in late 2010 to join Global Compact LEAD, a select platform of companies dedicated to spearheading corporate sustainability.

A Much Stronger Governance of Ethics & Human Rights Process

Three external partners help assess our practices and provide information and ideas on how we can make continuous improvements. Collaborative Learning Project, an expert in economic, social development and local community relations, has created a programme to assist multinationals pinpoint the affects of their activities in host regions. A new relationship established in 2010 with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, designed to help align training with our businesses and local conditions particularly with regard to human rights and the supply chain. The GoodCorporation which assesses how our business units and subsidiaries comply with our Code of Conduct. These arrangements enable us to audit 12 to 14 subsidiaries/businesses a year and adopt new processes to further improve our compliance year on year.

A New Compliance Programme

In 2010 a new programme was introduced which is designed to expand on the principles previously set out in the Code that “Total rejects bribery and corruption in all forms, whether public or private, active or passive”. Its purpose is to ensure compliance by Total affiliates as well as their employees with the Code of Conduct and applicable laws prohibiting bribery.  Its deployment is underway. The key elements of the programme are:

Top Level Commitment

Clear prohibition of bribery and corruption in all forms is endorsed by the top executive management.

Audit and Monitoring

Regular verifications on the implementation of the programme are to be undertaken through audits and internal controls.

Risk-based Approach

Due diligence, appropriate risk identification and evaluation procedures are implemented in order to eliminate or adequately mitigate corruption risk.

Procedures

These include directives, compliance and business-line procedures and recommendations. Circulation of these internal rules and support for implementation of the compliance programme are monitored.

Communication and Training

Group-wide communication to raise awareness and provide appropriate training is aimed at targeted audiences. An e-learning on preventing corruption is mandatory for all managers and exposed disciplines (eg. finance, procurement…) worldwide. Dedicated training sessions are organised for compliance officers and lawyers.

Organisation

Implementation and supervision of the compliance programme are entrusted to the Group Chief Compliance Officer, supported by branch compliance officers and a network of local compliance officers.

The Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Executive Committee and to the Board of Directors.

Sanctions

Disciplinary action is called for (up to and including dismissal) in proven cases of violation in accordance with the applicable laws, company policies and procedures.

Books and Records

Reaffirmation that accurate and reasonably detailed records are to be maintained to properly reflect transactions; full internal controls are in place to monitor the accounting procedures.

TOTAL in the UK
Environment and Social Report 2010
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TOTAL
Environment and Society Report 2010
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Available in 24 languages, the Code of Conduct continues to be deployed
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Safety, Environment Health Safety Environment Quality Charter
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