Code of Business Conduct
We are proud of our contribution to the communities in which we operate and, at a broader level, the societies of which we are a part. Wherever we operate we want to do so integrity - making the right decisions and doing things the right way.
The BHP Billiton Code of Business Conduct sets the standard for our commitment to working with integrity. Specifically, it provides guidance for everyone who works for or on behalf of BHP Billiton on how to conduct their business activities, placing a priority on upholding a high ethical standard and establishing trust with our stakeholders.
Download the Code in English (PDF 2MB)
Descargar el Código en Español (PDF 2MB)
Download the Code in French (PDF 2MB)
Download the Code in Chinese (PDF 2MB)
Raising a business conduct concern
As part of our commitment to working with integrity, we want a workplace where people ask if they are unsure what to do. We also want those outside the company to be able to raise queries and concerns about the business conduct framework that underpins how we do business.
The Business Conduct Advisory Service is an impartial and confidential service that provides a multi-lingual service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world. Employees, contractors or external parties can ask a business conduct question or raise a business conduct concern from any country where we have an operational asset or a major office. Issues can be raised by phone, lodged on line through an interactive portal site at: www.BHPBbusinessconduct.ethicspoint.com or sent by fax or post. Contact details for the BCAS are available on the back cover of the Code of Business Conduct.
While we always encourage business conduct issues to be raised and resolved locally we also know it is important to have a highly accessible service to ensure that queries or issues can be raised outside of line management.
If an issue remains unresolved you should contact the Business Contact Advisory Service, an impartial and confidential service where you will be asked a series of questions to help address your concern in the most appropriate way. In some cases, Group Business Conduct will respond directly to your concern or question, while in other cases the matter may be referred to a member of the leadership team of the business or group function. Anyone who raises an issue has the option to remain anonymous.
Managing business conduct
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible to the BHP Billiton Board for the ethics and culture of the BHP Billiton Group. Supervisors and managers have a responsibility to support the CEO in upholding a high standard of business conduct. To further assist the CEO in meeting his responsibilities, a Global Ethics Panel has been appointed. Read more...
Annually, we publicly report our activities to communicate and train our people on appropriate business conduct. We also report the number and type of enquiries lodged with our Business Conduct Advisory Service. Read more...
Speeches and presentations
Peter Beaven, President, Manganese, addressed the International Society of Business, Economics and Ethics (ISBEE) World Congress 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday, 16 July 2008.
During his presentation, he outlined BHP Billiton's perspective on the business case for voluntary codes including the UN Global Compact, the Voluntary Principles of Security and Human Rights and the Global Reporting Initiative. Read his speech (PDF 47KB)
