Code of Conduct and Ethics
Introduction and Purpose
At fr-8, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct in all aspects of our operations. This code of conduct and ethics serves as a guiding framework for our employees, partners, and stakeholders to adhere to our core values and principles.
Core Values
Integrity: We conduct our business with honesty, transparency, and ethical integrity, earning the trust and confidence of our clients, stakeholders, and employees.
Strong relationships, seamless customer support: We are committed to providing responsive and reliable customer support, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients at every stage of the logistics process. We prioritize building long-term partnerships based on trust, mutual respect, and open communication with our clients.
Flexibility, creative solutions: We adapt quickly to changing market dynamics and client needs, offering flexible solutions to meet evolving logistics challenges. We approach challenges with creativity and an open mind, developing customized solutions to address our clients’ unique logistics requirements.
Expertise and experience: We leverage our industry expertise and experience to provide innovative solutions and exceptional service to our clients. With decades of experience in the freight forwarding industry and frequent investments in education, we deliver reliable and efficient logistics solutions tailored to our clients’ needs.
Local Approach, Global Network: We combine a local approach of a family business with a global network to provide seamless logistics solutions worldwide.
Digitalization: We embrace digital technologies and innovation to optimize our operations and customer experience, enhance efficiency, and deliver added-value to our clients.
Value for Money: We deliver cost-effective solutions that provide value for money, optimizing efficiency without compromising on quality or service. Raising an invoice must be an act of pride, ensuring that we created our margin from our customer’s savings.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations: International freight is subject to a multitude of ever-changing standards, laws, and regulations, and global conflicts lead to frequent adaptation (e.g., sanctions, closed borders), sometimes overnight. We ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards governing international and domestic logistics operations. Employees are expected to familiarize themselves with relevant legal requirements and report any potential violations promptly. Furthermore, all involved parties of all shipments executed by fr-8 are screened through our TMS against a global list of sanctions to ensure compliance with all international sanction regimes.
Conflicts of Interest
Employees are required to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the course of their duties to the leadership team and take appropriate measures to mitigate such conflicts. We maintain transparency and objectivity in our dealings with clients, suppliers, and partners to avoid conflicts of interest.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
We safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of sensitive information entrusted to us by clients, partners, and employees. Employees must adhere to strict data protection protocols and refrain from disclosing confidential information without proper authorization. To uphold this promise, fr-8 collects and stores data on servers with the highest security rating.
Professional Conduct and Respectful Workplace
We operate in the multicultural world of international trade, working in international teams and with international customers and suppliers. Discrimination, harassment, or any form of disrespectful behavior is strictly prohibited, and employees are encouraged to foster a positive and inclusive work environment. We promote professionalism, courtesy, and respect in all interactions.
Ethical Decision Making
We conduct our business with honesty, transparency, and ethical integrity, earning the trust and confidence of our suppliers and customers.
Employees are expected to prioritize ethical considerations in their decision-making processes, guided by our core values and principles. We encourage open dialogue and consultation with colleagues or superiors when faced with ethical dilemmas to ensure fair and transparent decision making.
Gifts, Bribes, and Kickbacks
We prohibit the solicitation or acceptance of gifts, favors, or other forms of inducement that could compromise our integrity or impartiality. Employees must refrain from offering or accepting bribes, kickbacks, or other unethical incentives in their interactions with clients, suppliers, or government officials.
Environmental and Social Responsibility
We strive to make a positive impact on the communities we serve by promoting sustainable practices and ethical business conduct. We are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint and promoting sustainable logistics practices throughout our operations. We implement sustainable practices, reduce carbon emissions, and advising our customers on the most environmentally friendly freight solutions is part of every business transaction.
Compliance and Reporting Mechanisms
Employees are encouraged to report any violations or suspected breaches of the code of conduct and ethics to fr-8’s leadership. Reports will be handled promptly, confidentially, and impartially, with protection against retaliation for whistleblowers. Disciplinary action will be taken against individuals found to have violated the code.
Training and Awareness
We provide ongoing training and education on the code of conduct and ethics to ensure all employees understand their obligations and responsibilities. Regular communication and awareness campaigns reinforce our commitment to ethical conduct and promote a culture of integrity throughout the organization.
Review and Revision
We conduct periodic reviews and updates of the code of conduct and ethics to reflect changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards, as well as evolving ethical challenges and best practices. Feedback from employees and stakeholders is solicited to improve and refine the code over time.