Whistleblower Channel
2. WHAT KIND OF REPORTS ARE INVOLVED?
3. WHY SHOULD I MAKE A REPORT?
5. WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY REPORT?
6. HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS MY REPORT?
7. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY REPORT AFTER IT IS SUBMITTED?
8. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE AN ANSWER?
9. ARE MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST RETALIATION?
1. GENERAL
The new Law of 28/11/2022, the so-called Whistleblower Protection Act, has been in force since 15 February 2023. This legislation provides protection to individuals who report breaches of European or national law within a legal entity in the private sector.
All companies in the private sector with 250 employees or more must now have their own internal whistleblowing channel, which gives employees, suppliers, and customers the opportunity to report breaches of legislation, anonymously or otherwise.
Possible breaches can be reported via an externally-managed electronic whistleblower system (SD Worx), which guarantees the confidentiality of the identity of the whistleblower and the third parties mentioned in the report. This secure reporting channel enables dialogue between reporter and managers, and enables secure dialogue between the various managers. Reports can be made securely via this platform in your name or, if desired, anonymously.
2. WHAT KIND OF REPORTS ARE INVOLVED?
The whistleblowing system is intended for reporting breaches of European and national legislation regarding:
- government contracts;
- financial services, products and markets, prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing;
- product safety and product compliance;
- transport safety;
- environmental protection;
- radiation protection and nuclear safety;
- food and feed safety, animal health and welfare;
- public health;
- consumer protection;
- protection of privacy and personal data, and security of network and information systems;
- combatting tax fraud;
- combatting social fraud;
- antitrust and competition law.
3. WHY SHOULD I MAKE A REPORT?
Compliance with applicable laws and company rules, and the resulting ethical conduct, have the highest priority at Kaneka Belgium. That is why a whistleblowing system is provided for reporting serious breaches which are not followed up within Kaneka. It allows Kaneka Belgium to detect any abuses at an early stage, and to prevent or address any damage to employees and the company.
4. HOW DO I REPORT A BREACH?
The reporting process is simple. You may choose to disclose your name or to remain anonymous when reporting your complaint.
- You can report online by clicking on this link: https://kanekabelgium.sdwhistle.com
- N.B. This web page is hosted on a secure SD Worx server and is not part of the kaneka.be website.
5. WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY REPORT?
For Kaneka to conduct useful and effective investigations, it is important that you provide a detailed description of the incident, including supporting evidence where possible. Be sure to include the following:
- Subject (title of the incident);
- Description (who-when-where-why-how often).
6. HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS MY REPORT?
The reporter can choose to make their report anonymously or to reveal their identity.
The identity of the whistleblower who makes a report via the internal reporting channel will not be made known directly or indirectly without their explicit consent. This also applies to all other information on the basis of which the identity of the reporter might be determined directly or indirectly.
7. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY REPORT AFTER IT IS SUBMITTED?
Each report received is carefully investigated by the report managers. If your report is deemed credible with sufficient evidence, an investigation will be opened. If further proof is needed, the report managers will contact you through the tool.
8. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE AN ANSWER?
As required by law, the whistleblower will receive confirmation of receipt of the complaint within 7 days of the report. Subsequently the whistleblower will be kept informed of the status of the investigation and the consequences of the complaint. Communication in this regard will always take place via the secure chat function of the tool.
9. ARE MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST RETALIATION?
The law prohibits any form of retaliation by the company against a whistleblower who has reported potential breaches in good faith.
You will find more information about the use of the tool in the user manual.
10. USER MANUALS
Handleiding SD Whistleblowing NL
Date of issue 30 September 2023