WG Chairs and Vice-Chairs' Code of Conduct Go back »
2013-02-05 | Beijing, Shanghai
CODE OF CONDUCT
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China(“European Chamber”) serves as the voice of European business inChina and provides an avenue of communication with high-level Chinese and European political and economic circles. In order to ensure that all elected officers of the European Chamber exercise their duties based on the highest standards of commitment and professionalism, the Executive Committee of the European Chamber has adopted this Code of Conduct.
This Code of Conduct applies to the Members of the Executive Committee of the European Chamber and of the local chapters’ Boards (such individuals collectively referred to as “Board Members”) as well as to the chair and co-chair of the Working Groups, Sub Working Groups and Forums (such individuals referred to as “WG Heads”). Terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the By-Laws and the Articles of Associations of the European Chamber of Commerce inChina. Individuals are deemed to be bound by this Code of Conduct automatically by way of their appointment as Board Members or WG Heads and signature of the Code of Conduct.
1. In addition to other qualification requirements as set out in the Articles of Associations and By Laws of the European Chamber, Board Members and WG Heads shall be individuals in good standing, dedicated to the promotion and protection of European business inChina.
2. Board Members and the WG Heads shall ensure the level of commitment to the European Chamber necessary to perform their duties and to ensure continuity and consistency in the activities of their respective Board or Working Group (see Job Description for WG Heads for more info).
3. Any Board Member or Working Group Heads who has failed to attend three consecutive meetings of the relevant Board and Working Group shall be deemed to have resigned unless the absence has been permitted by and subsequently ratified by the Executive Committee or local Board by majority vote.
4. Board Members and WG Heads shall not make use of their position to unduly favor the Member they represent in a manner detrimental to other Members’ interests.
5. Board Members and WG Heads shall be individuals who have adequate knowledge of the business environment in China and shall use their knowledge and special skills to establish and foster relationships with PRC government officials, the EU Commission and Member State officials, the media, and other key stakeholders (associations, institutes, think thanks etc) in order to promote the objectives of the European Chamber. WG Heads shall have at least one area of competence of their respective Working Group.
6. When performing their duties on behalf of the European Chamber, Board Members and WG Heads shall not use any improper or illegal means to establish and maintain relationships with any aforementioned key stakeholders in point 5.
7. Board Members and WG Heads are expected to use good judgment when assessing proposals for seminars and events organized by the European Chamber in order to ensure that the topics meet the expectations of the Members and that Members’ participation as speakers to such events is balanced in order to ensure broad participation and the highest quality and professionalism of the speakers.
8. When acting in their capacity as representatives of the European Chamber, Board Members and WG Heads are required to coordinate their liaison activities with PRC governmental authorities at all levels with the European Chamber Secretariat. In principle, all contacts with governmental authorities related to the European Chamber activities shall be made through the Secretariat and in particular the Government Liaison Officer and other dedicated staff of the European Chamber.
9. Board Members and WG Heads are required to channel any media statements or press release through the European Chamber Press Officer. Any comment related to the European Chamber activities made by Board Members and WG Heads in public shall to the maximum extent possible be respectful of the European Chamber as a whole and in line with the messages of the Position Paper.
10. Board Members and WG Heads shall not engage in discussions, agreements or other arrangements, during Board meetings or when discharging their duties as Board Members or WG Heads, which could result in a breach of either the PRC, Anti-Monopoly Law or the PRC, Anti-Unfair Competition Law. WG Heads shall be responsible for ensuring that such discussions, agreements or other arrangements do not take place during Sectoral Working Group meetings. Where a Board Member or WG Head is in any doubt as to the compatibility of a proposed discussion, agreement or arrangement with the afore-mentioned laws, he/she must immediately raise his/her concern with the other attendees at the meeting.
11. During their tenure with the European Chamber and afterwards, Board Members and WG Heads are expected to refrain from making any disrespectful comments or observations in public that may negatively affect the reputation and image of the European Chamber.
12. Should a board member or WG Head leave his/her company, this information should be communicated to the Chamber Secretariat within five working days.
* * *
This Code of Conduct is adopted by the European Chamber Executive Committee on the 26th of January, 2010.
Full Name, Position, Date