Ubisoft 2016 Annual Report Download - page 102

Corporate social responsibility
4Independent third party’s report
❙ 4.4.6 FAIR OPERATING PRACTICES
4.4.6.1 Preventing corruption
The Group is working on defi ning clear guidelines to prevent
corruption, whether in the form of fraud, confl icts of interest or
money laundering. However, some procedures do already exist.
Each site has a formal expenditure process that defi nes the principles
for authorizing and signing off on expenditure depending on the
amount involved. In the case of the most signifi cant purchase
fl ows, these processes are realized directly within tools, such as
“Peoplesoft”, for purchases relating to the production of fi nished
products, or “Mint”, for marketing purchases.
Anti-corruption procedures can also take several forms:
♦
implementation of tender procedures that systematically require
at least three supplier tenders to be received above a certain
purchasing threshold (Quebec), or that require several approval
levels in order to validate tenders (Singapore, Newcastle, Pune);
♦
validation of all expenditure by the studio director (Pune,
Barcelona);
♦
nomination of an individual dedicated to monitoring money
laundering (in line with the local legislative system) – (Romania,
Bulgaria);
♦ offi cial Purchasing codes of ethics drawn up and implemented
by the Group to protect it from corruption. These codes of ethics
refer to the guidelines (fairness, impartiality, integrity, legality,
loyalty, honesty) and illustrate situations that may give rise to
confl icts of interest and Ubisoft’s policy with regard to buyers
(refusing gifts from suppliers above a certain amount).
4.4.6.2 Consumer health and safety
The Group is committed to earning players’ trust in its games. Ubisoft
has maintained its commitment to consumer health and safety
through its involvement with video game industry trade associations
such as SELL in France and the PédaGoJeux website.
During the life cycle of a game, the production and distribution teams
work closely with ratings and consumer protection organizations,
the most important of which are:
♦ PEGI (Pan European Game Information) for Europe;
♦
ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) for the United
States;
♦ OFLC (Offi ce of Film and Literature Classifi cation) or COB for
Australia;
♦
USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle – in English,
Entertainment Software Self-Regulation) for Germany;
♦
CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization) for Japan.
Through these independent organizations, consumers are informed
about the nature of the products and their recommended age based
on classifi cation systems designed to guarantee clear and transparent
labeling of the video game content according to its age rating.
Products in France also include a warning notice regarding epilepsy
risk, in accordance with the decree of April 23, 1996. Some “fi rst-
party” suppliers also request that information regarding similar
risks is relayed on their packaging or in notices attached to products.
This is the case for Sony and Microsoft.
❙ 4.4.7 OTHER ACTIONS TAKEN TO PROTECT
HUMAN RIGHTS
Actions taken to protect human rights are listed in this report under
anti-discrimination initiatives (see sections 4.2.2 and 4.2.3.3),
compliance with the ILO conventions (see section 4.2.5) and the
various examples of partnerships or sponsorships which aim to foster
the inclusion of disadvantaged persons (see sections 4.4.2 and 4.4.3).
4.5 Independent third party’s report
This is a free translation into English of one of the auditors, appointed independent third party, on the employee-related, environmental
and social information issued in French and it is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking readers.
This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional auditing standards
applicable in France.
To the shareholders,
In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Ubisoft Entertainment SA, the appointed independent third party, accredited by COFRAC under
number 3-1049 (1), we hereby present our report on the consolidated employee-related, environmental and social information for the
year ended Marc 31, 2016, set forth in the management report (hereinafter the “CSR Information”), pursuant to the provisions of Article
L. 225-102-1 of the French Commercial Code.
(1) The scope of which is available at www.cofrac.fr
- Registration Document 2016
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