Governance
Compliance
To ensure compliance with the policies that the Company has in place, an Employee Orientation and Code of Conduct Manual and a Safety, Health, Environmental and Community Relations Policy Manual are disseminated to all its employees.
The Employee Orientation and Code of Conduct Manual has a formal “Whistleblower Policy” concerning the reporting of any known or suggested violations of the law, governmental regulations, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct or the Company’s manuals. The policy also contains procedures that allow directors, officers and employees to confidentially and anonymously submit their concerns, without fear of retaliation, to an independent third party regarding questions of accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.
Whistle Blower Policy
Introduction
ZEN Graphene Solutions (the “Company”) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct and ethics, as well as full compliance with all applicable government laws, rules and regulations, corporate reporting and disclosure requirements, accounting practices, accounting controls, auditing practices and other matters relating to fraud against shareholders (collectively, “Accounting Concerns”).
Pursuant to its Charter, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) is responsible for ensuring that a confidential and anonymous process exists whereby persons can report any Accounting Concerns relating to the Company and any subsidiaries. In order to carry out its responsibilities under its charter, the Committee has adopted this Whistle Blower Policy (the “Policy”).
For the purposes of this Policy, “Accounting Concerns” is intended to be broad and comprehensive and to include any matter which, in the view of the complainant, is illegal, unethical, contrary to the policies of the Company or in some other manner not right or proper.
- Violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation that relates to corporate reporting and disclosure;
- Violation of any corporate policies, including health, safety, environmental, operational or ethical policies;
- Fraud or deliberate error in the preparation, evaluation, review or audit of any financial statement of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
- Fraud or deliberate error in the recording and maintaining of financial records of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
- Deficiencies in or noncompliance with the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ internal policies and controls;
- Misrepresentation or a false statement by or to a director, officer or employee of Company or any of its subsidiaries respecting a matter contained in the financial records, reports or audit reports;
- Deviation from full and fair reporting of the Company’s consolidated financial condition.
Communication of the Policy
To ensure that all directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors of the Company are aware of the Policy, a copy of the Policy will be distributed to all directors, officers and employees, or alternatively they will be advised that the Policy is available on the Company’s website for their review or upon request made to the Chair of the Audit Committee. All directors, officers and employees will be informed whenever significant changes are made. New directors, officers and employees will be provided with a copy of this Policy and will be educated about its importance.
Reporting Alleged Violation and Complaints
To ensure that all directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors of the Company are aware of the Policy, a copy of the Policy will be distributed to all directors, officers and employees, or alternatively they will be advised that the Policy is available on the Company’s website for their review or upon request made to the Chair of the Audit Committee. All directors, officers and employees will be informed whenever significant changes are made. New directors, officers and employees will be provided with a copy of this Policy and will be educated about its importance.
Reporting Procedure
Any person with an Accounting Concern relating to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company may submit his/her concern to the Chair of the Audit Committee (the “Chair”) in writing, or email as follows:
In Writing: | Eric Wallman Maple Avenue, Toronto Ontario, M4W 1T6 |
By Email: | ewallman@zengraphene.com |
Confidentiality
All submissions to the Chair shall be treated on a confidential and anonymous basis.
No Adverse Consequences
A submission regarding an Accounting Concern may be made by an officer or employee of the Company without fear of dismissal, disciplinary action or retaliation of any kind. The Company will not discharge, discipline, demote, suspend, threaten or in any manner discriminate against any person who submits in good faith an Accounting Concern or provides assistance to the Committee, management of the Company or any other person or group, including any governmental, regulatory or law enforcement body, investigating an Accounting Concern.
Anyone filing a complaint under this Policy must be acting in good faith and have an honest belief that the complaint is well-founded, including a reasonable factual or other basis. Any complaints based on allegations that are without basis, that cannot be substantiated, or that are proven to be intentionally misleading or malicious will be viewed as a serious offence.
Treatment of Accounting Concerns Submissions
Accounting Concerns will be reviewed as soon as possible by the Committee with the assistance and direction of whomever the Committee thinks appropriate including, but not limited to, external legal counsel and the Committee shall implement such corrective measures and do such things in an expeditious manner as it deems necessary or desirable to address the Accounting Concern.
Where possible and when determined to be appropriate by the Committee notice of any such corrective measures will be given to the person who submitted the Accounting Concern.
Retention of Records
The Committee shall retain all records relating to any Accounting Concern or report of a retaliatory act and to the investigation of any such report for a period judged to be appropriate based upon the merits of the submission. The types of records to be retained by the Committee shall include records of all steps taken in connection with the investigation and the results of any such investigation.
Policy Review
The Committee will review and evaluate this Policy on an annual basis to determine whether the Policy is effective in providing a confidential and anonymous procedure to report violations or complaints regarding Accounting Concerns.
Queries
If you have any questions about how this Policy should be followed in a particular case, please contact the Chair or legal counsel of the Company.
Access to The Policy
This Policy will be made available upon request made to the Chair and will be posted on the Company’s website at: zengraphene.com
Governance
Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
This Code of Business Conduct & Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of ZEN Graphene Solutions (collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”). This Code embodies the commitment of the Company to conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and high ethical standards. The actions of all of the Company’s employees, officers and directors shall reflect honesty, integrity and impartiality that is beyond doubt and that all business should be done in a manner that:
- Complies with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
- Avoids conflicts of interest;
- Protects confidential information, in accordance with the Company’s Confidentiality &
- Securities Trading Policy; and
- Adheres to good disclosure practices, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
The Company encourages all employees, officers and directors to submit good faith complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Concerns (as defined in the Whistle Blower Policy presented in this Manual) without fear of reprisal.
Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. If a situation exists or arises where an employee is in doubt, the employee should seek advice from the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
The Company is committed to compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it does business. All employees, officers and directors must respect and obey the laws, rules and regulations of the cities, states and countries in which we operate. Employees, officers and directors should educate themselves on the laws, rules and regulations that govern their work, and seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate individuals at the Company.
Employees, officers and directors who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. All non-public information about the Company (or about any other company) should be considered confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others, including family members, who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information, is not only unethical but also illegal. The Company has adopted a Confidentiality & Securities Trading Policy in order to prevent improper trading of securities of the Company and the improper communication of undisclosed material information. All employees, officers and directors are expected to thoroughly understand and comply with such policy.
Conflicts of Interest
All employees, officers and directors have an obligation to act in the best interests of the Company. Conflicts of interest can occur when an employee, officer or director has a private interest in the outcome of a decision, or takes actions that make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director (or immediate family member), receives improper personal benefits as a result of the position of such employee, officer or director with the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees, officers, directors and their family members may create conflicts of interest. All employees shall not engage in any outside work or business undertaking that interferes with the performance of their duties as employees of the Company, and are not allowed to work for a competitor or potential competitor as an employee, consultant or board member unless specifically authorized by the Lead Director of the Board.
The Company respects the right of officers and directors to take part in financial, business or other activities outside of their position with the Company; however, the Company’s officers and directors must not serve as officers or directors, or work as employees or consultants for, a direct competitor or an actual or potential business partner of the Company without prior approval of the Lead Director of the Board.
The Company’s employees, officers and directors may not invest in or trade in shares of a direct competitor or an actual or potential business partner of the Company where such investment or trading may appear or tend to influence business decisions or compromise independent judgment. This prohibition does not apply to shares of a publicly traded company where such investment or trading relates to less than five percent of its issued shares. However, investing or trading in the Company’s competitors or business partners remains subject to applicable laws and regulations regarding insider trading, including prohibitions against trading while in possession of material non-public information regarding such companies, whether such information is gained in the course of employment with the Company or otherwise.
If a conflict of interest exists, and there is no failure of good faith on the part of the employee, officer or director, the Company may allow a reasonable amount of time for the employee, officer or director to correct the situation in order to prevent undue hardship or loss. However, all decisions in this regard will be at the discretion of the Lead Director of the Board, whose primary concern in exercising such discretion will be the best interests of the Company.
If you are aware of a conflict or potential conflict of interest, as an employee you should bring the matter to the attention of a supervisor or manager. If you are aware of a conflict or potential conflict as an officer or director, you should promptly bring the matter to the attention of the Board, the Lead Director of the Board or the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Confidentiality
To avoid a breach of confidentiality, all employees, officers and directors should maintain all confidential information in strict confidence, except when disclosure is authorized by the Company or legally mandated. Confidential information includes, among other things, any non-public information concerning the Company, including its business, financial performance, results or prospects, and any non-public information provided by a third party with the expectation that the information will be kept confidential and used solely for the business purpose for which it was conveyed. The obligation to keep information confidential also extends beyond your term with the Company.
Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves, personally or for the benefit of others, opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position, except to the extent that a waiver has been granted under Section 9 of this Code. No employee, officer or director may use corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain or for the improper personal gain of others, and no employee, officer or director may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance the Company’s interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
All employees, officers and directors should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. The Company’s assets should be protected from loss, damage, theft, misuse, and waste. Company assets include your time at work and work product, as well as the Company’s equipment and vehicles, computers and software, trading and bank accounts, corporate information and reputation, trademarks and name. The Company’s telephone, email, voicemail and other electronic systems are primarily for business purposes. Personal communications should be kept to a minimum. Unauthorized use or distribution of corporate information would violate Company policy. It is also illegal and could result in civil or even criminal penalties.
Competition and Fair Dealing
Each employee, officer and director should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s counterparties, suppliers, competitors and employees. The Company seeks to outperform its competition in a fair and honest manner. No employee, officer or director should take unfair advantage of anyone through unlawful manipulation or concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other intentional unfair-dealing practice. Each employee is required to maintain impartial relationships with the Company’s suppliers and customers. Any gifts provided to the Company’s suppliers and customers must not be excessive in value, and must be approved in advance by the Lead Director of the Board.
Employee Harassment and Discrimination
The Company is committed to fair employment practices in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. The Company will not tolerate any type of illegal discrimination or harassment. The Company expects that all relationships among persons in the workplace will be professional and free of bias and harassment.
Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Practices
The Company believes that sound environmental, safety and occupational health management practices are in the best interests of the Company, its employees, its shareholders and the communities in which it operates. The Company is committed to conducting its business in accordance with recognized industry standards and to meeting or exceeding all applicable environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations. Achieving this goal is the responsibility of all employees, officers and directors.
Waivers of the Code
Waivers of the provisions of this Code may generally only be granted by the Board. However any waiver of the provisions of this Code for officers or directors, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, may be made only by the Board or a committee of the Board, and will be disclosed to shareholders as required by applicable rules and regulations.
Distribution and Review of the Code
Copies of this Code shall be made available to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, either directly or by posting the Code on the Company’s website. All Company personnel will be informed whenever significant changes are made. All agreements with consultants should include a provision requiring that the consultants abide by this Code at all times. The Board will annually review and reassess the adequacy of this Code and submit any recommended changes to the Board for approval.
Adoption
This Code was adopted by the Board on August 1, 2010, and reaffirmed as amended on June 22, 2017.