Code of Conduct

Ekan AB (hereinafter referred to as "Ekan") shall be a trustworthy actor and contribute to creating an improved and sustainable future with ethical, environmental and social responsibility.

Ekan's code of conduct can be summarized as

• We must always strive to contribute to improvement
• We must always be reliable and act in a way that inspires confidence
• We must never act in an offensive or discriminatory manner

Purpose

The purpose of the code of conduct is to concretize Ekan's expectations of employees and suppliers in order to ensure quality, follow up and constantly improve delivered services from an ethical, environmental and social perspective. In addition, we want to ensure that our work takes place in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.

Responsibility and follow-up

Ekan's code of conduct applies to everyone who performs services on Ekan's behalf: employees, company management, board and subcontractors. Everyone with designated responsibility must ensure that there are appropriate routines and processes within their own area of responsibility to ensure correct handling in accordance with this code of conduct.

The responsibility includes that all internal and external changes that affect the area of responsibility must be assessed with regard to the code of conduct. Changes may need to be adapted to the code, but changes may also mean that the code needs to be updated. Internal changes refer, for example, to the design of new tools, approaches, policies, instructions and processes. External changes refer, for example, to new environmental conditions and legislation, etc.

The responsibility also includes reporting any deviations.

Everyone is responsible for reading, understanding and following the code of conduct, as well as complying with applicable legislation. Everyone is responsible for acting according to the code and doing the right thing for all stakeholders, as well as asking for advice when in doubt. The person to whom the code of conduct applies is expected to act in accordance with the spirit that the code of conduct conveys in the scenarios for which the code does not provide clear guidance.

Overall responsibility for compliance and follow-up of this code of conduct rests with Ekan's CEO and management team. The CEO is responsible for revising and adjusting/verifying this code of conduct every 36 months.

Through information, communication and training, all personnel are made aware of and reminded of the content of the code of conduct, as well as other policies and instructions.

In the event of a reported deviation, the management team decides whether measures are required in our operations and/alternatively in the design of our current approaches, policies, instructions or processes.

Reporting of deviations

All employees are obliged to report deviations or suspected deviations against the code of conduct or violations of applicable legislation. All reporting must be considered as submitted in good faith – i.e. that the person who submitted the information considers it to be true, and no one should be worried about suffering reprisals when submitting a report.

Reports on non-compliance or suspicion of non-compliance are submitted to the nearest personnel manager, alternatively to Ekan's HR manager, or the CEO. Ekan also has a channel for anonymous reporting (whistleblower function) to an external board member via our website (www.ekan.com/kontakt). Whoever reports a deviation from the code of conduct must be kept anonymous as far as possible, as long as this does not prevent a fair, independent and equal handling of the matter.

The person to whom the report applies always has the right to explain his actions and his statement must be assessed in a fair, independent and equal manner.

For those to whom the code of conduct applies, an established violation may result in penalties.

Industry standard

Ekan is driving to strengthen the reputation of the profession as a management consultant in Sweden. As members of Sweden's Management Consultants (SMK), Ekan is bound to follow them Ethical guidelines as decided by the association. In summary, they mean that:

• ​We act in the best interest of the customer
• ​We have a professional approach
• ​We are transparent with all fees and financial interests linked to our assignments

Legislation

Ekan complies with the legislation and regulations that apply in the local markets where Ekan operates, in Sweden and internationally. This means that, among other things, we work in accordance with the State Value Foundation, which is the basis for good management culture in Sweden.

Social responsibility

Ekan supports and respects international agreements on human rights. We commit to comply The UN Global Compact's 10 principles to promote human rights, labor rights, the environment and strive towards goals for society's development. The 10 principles are divided into 4 areas:

• Human rights
• Labor law
• Environment
• Anti-corruption

Within environmental and social responsibility, we strive to contribute to the 17 global goals. Of these, we have identified the following goals as the most prioritized for us to contribute to, where we see that we have the best opportunities to benefit:

• Target 8 (Decent working conditions and economic growth)
• Goal 9 (Sustainable Industry, Innovations and Infrastructure)
• Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)

Environment

Ekan has an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system and must show environmental consideration in decisions made and actions carried out in accordance with the current environmental policy. Through measurable goals and a clear connection to our core business, Ekan contributes to a reduced environmental impact - not only from our own but also from our customers' operations. Environmental work must be characterized by environmental care and a holistic view. Every employee is encouraged to submit suggestions for improvements that can have a positive impact on the environment.

Quality

Ekan has an ISO 9001-certified quality management system and strives to ensure that decisions made, actions performed, services produced and results delivered are in line with the current quality policy. Through measurable goals and a clear connection to our core business, Ekan contributes to improvements and efficiency in our customers' operations. The quality work must be characterized by customer focus and a holistic view. Every employee is encouraged to submit suggestions for improvement that can positively affect quality.

Security and privacy

Ekan are proud suppliers to several operations within the Swedish state administration and other socially critical operations that are covered by security protection. We have therefore built up a qualified working method to be able to live up to the high security requirements of our customers and Swedish society. With the support of our information security policy, we ensure that different types of information are handled correctly and that it does not end up in the wrong hands.

Everyone who works in Ekan's name is subject to confidentiality and has signed a confidentiality agreement. In short, we have thereby committed ourselves not to talk about our customers' internal affairs with unauthorized persons.

A chain of responsibility

Ekan places the same demands on its subcontractors as it does on our own staff and operations. This means that Ekan shall not enter into an agreement with any subcontractor who does not undertake to comply with the requirements of this code of conduct.

Ekan shall not enter into an agreement with any supplier who does not undertake to comply with the requirements of this code of conduct regarding legislation and the environment.