Code of Ethics
ANNEX G
Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.
Code of Conduct and Policy
Regarding Reporting of Possible Violations
Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. (the “Company”) is committed to being a good corporate citizen. The Company’s policy is to conduct its business affairs honestly and in an ethical manner. This Code of Conduct (“Code”) provides a general statement of the expectations of the Company regarding the ethical standards that each director, officer and employee should adhere to while acting on behalf of the Company. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees, officers and directors of the Company. All of our employees, officers and directors must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. This Code of Conduct applies to all officers, full and part time employees, contract workers, directors and anyone who conducts business with the Company. Conduct in violation of this policy is unacceptable in the workplace and in any work-related setting outside the workplace. Any employee or contract worker who violates this Code will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of his/her employment or engagement.
Compliance with Laws
You must comply with all federal, state and local laws applicable to your activities on behalf of the Company and shall perform your duties to the Company in an honest and ethical manner. If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law; however, if a local custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor or the General Counsel’s office how to handle the situation.
Conflicts of Interest
You should avoid situations in which your personal, family or financial interests conflict or even appear to conflict with those of the Company or compromise its interests. You should handle all actual or apparent conflicts of interest between your personal and professional relationships in an honest and ethical manner. Conflicts are not always clear-cut. A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes action or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees and their family members may create conflicts of interest.
It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier. You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on the Company’s behalf. In addition, employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves personally any opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position, except with the consent of the Board of Directors. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. If you become aware of a conflict or potential conflict of interest, contact your own or any other Company supervisor for further guidance.
Disclosure
It is of paramount importance to the Company that all disclosure in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in other public communications by the Company is full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. All officers, directors, employees and contract workers must take all steps necessary to assist the Company in fulfilling these responsibilities, consistent with each person’s role in the Company. You should give prompt, accurate answers to all inquiries in connection with the Company’s preparation of public disclosures and reports.
Code of Ethics for Senior Officers
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Controller (the “Senior Officers”) each bear a special responsibility for promoting integrity throughout the Company. Furthermore, the Senior Officers have a responsibility to foster a culture throughout the Company as a whole that ensures the fair and timely reporting of the Company’s results of operation and financial condition and other financial information.
Because of this special role, the Senior Officers are bound by the following Senior Officer Code of Ethics, and each agrees that he or she will:
• Perform his or her duties in an honest and ethical manner.
• Handle all actual or apparent conflicts of interest between his or her personal and professional relationships in an ethical manner.
• Take all necessary actions to ensure full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, government agencies and in other public communications.
• Company with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and local governments.
• Proactively promote and be an example of ethical behavior in the work environment.
Reporting and Compliance
If you become aware of conduct by an officer, director, employee or contract worker which you believe in good faith is a potential violation of this Code of Conduct, you should notify your own or any other Company supervisor, the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel or the Chief Financial Officer as soon as possible. You should also report any complaint or concern regarding the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, or any concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Supervisors are required to refer all reports of possible violations to the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer or the Chair of the Audit Committee.
Alternatively, if you wish to report such matters anonymously, you may mail a description of the concern or complaint to the attention of either the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer or the Chair of the Audit Committee, at the following address:
No. 2 Disheng Middle Road, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, Beijing, P.R. China 100176
Persons outside the Company may also report complaints or concerns the Company personnel; such matters should be reported promptly on receipt to your own or any other Company supervisor, the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer, or the Audit Committee Chair. Supervisors are required to report such matters as noted above.
All reports of complaints or concerns shall be recorded in a log, indicating the description of the matter reported, the date of the report and a brief summary of the disposition. The log shall be maintained by the General Counsel and shall be reviewed periodically with the Audit Committee. This log shall be retained for five years.
Allegations of violations of the Code should be made only in good faith and not to embarrass or put someone in a false light. If you become aware of a suspected or potential violation don’t try to investigate or resolve it on your own. Prompt disclosure under this Code is vital to ensuring a timely and thorough investigation and resolution. You are expected to cooperate in internal or external investigations or alleged violations of the Code.
In response to every report made in good faith of conduct potentially in violation of the Code of Conduct, the Company will undertake an effective and thorough investigation, and if improper conduct is found, the Company will take appropriate disciplinary and remedial action. Compliance procedures are set forth in Appendix B to this Code. The Company will attempt to keep its discussions with any person reporting a violation confidential to the extent reasonably possible without compromising the effectiveness of the investigation. If you believe your report is not properly explained or resolved, you may take your concern or complaint to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Employees and contract workers are protected by law from retaliation for reporting possible violations of this Code of Conduct or for participating in procedures connected with an investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted by the Company or a government agency with respect to such complaints. The Company will take disciplinary action up to and including the immediate termination of any employee or contract worker who retaliates against another employee or contract worker for reporting any of these alleged activities.
Further Information
Please contact the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel or the Chief Financial Officer if you have any questions about this Code or require further information.
Any substantive amendment or waiver of this Code may be made only by the Board of Directors upon a recommendation of the Audit Committee, and will be disclosed, including the reasons for such action, on the Company’s website and by a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K within four days of such action. The Company will maintain disclosure about such amendment or waiver on the website for at least twelve months and shall retain the disclosure concerning the action for at least 5 years.