Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Code of Conduct
for Contractual Partners of the FDFA

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and its foreign policy are guided by the general
objective of defending the independence, security and prosperity of Switzerland. In pursuing these
interests, the FDFA promotes in particular the following values1:

 combating hardship and poverty

 respecting human rights
 democracy
 peaceful coexistence
 the preservation of natural resources
 gender equality.

All individuals, companies or other entities that work together with the FDFA are obligated to contribute
to the promotion of these values and to act in accordance with them, as well as with the legal order.
This applies both to professional contexts and to private matters that have an influence on the
professional domain.

The Code of Conduct outlines the attitude and the behaviour that the FDFA expects from its contractual
partners (providers of goods and services, consultants, contractors, organisations responsible for
implementing projects and/or recipients of contributions, etc.) in Switzerland as well as abroad.

It is binding, and an integral part of all contractual agreements made between the FDFA and its partners.
In signing their contract, partners take on the commitment to observe the Code of Conduct, to ensure
observance by their personnel and their subcontractors, and to behave accordingly. Any action violating
the Code of Conduct may entail an enquiry and the imposition of measures relating to non-compliance
with contractual obligations, or of other measures.

The FDFA does not tolerate any behaviour that is

punishable by law or an infringement of the rules,
in particular those of good governance, whether
on the part of its employees, or of third parties
with which it has a contractual agreement.2

1 Foreign policy strategy of the FDFA 2016-2019: https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/services-and-publications/publications/alle-

publikationen.html/publikationen/en/eda/schweizer-aussenpolitik/Aussenpolitische-Strategie
2 Cf. Art. 6 of the Code of Conduct of the Federal Administration:

https://www.epa.admin.ch/dam/epa/de/dokumente/dokumentation/publikationen/370_verhaltenskodex_e.pdf.download.pdf/370_ver
haltenskodex_e.pdf
 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

The Components of the Code of Conduct

Values and interests of the The contractual partners of the FDFA always provide their full
FDFA support for the success of the activities of the FDFA, and for the
effective implementation of the policies and strategies adopted by
it.
They regularly reflect upon their actions and behaviour, and on
those of their employees, colleagues and subcontractors. They
ensure that they act in conformity with the values of the FDFA.

Exercising power The contractual partners of the FDFA are fully aware of the power
inherent in their role. They make decisions in a responsible
manner, giving due consideration to their cooperation with the
FDFA and to its interests.
Their decisions are transparent and entirely unprejudiced.

Conduct abroad The contractual partners of the FDFA respect foreign laws.
They adapt their behaviour, appearance and verbal expression to
the function that they exercise and to the customs of the host
country.

Conduct towards The contractual partners of the FDFA demonstrate respect in their
the population and colleagues relations with others. They reject any form of disrespectful social
contact and abstain from any activity that could be interpreted as
disparaging, degrading, threatening, such as sexual harassment.
They respect the privacy of their partners, acquaintances and
colleagues, and pay attention to local norms and conventions.
In both word and deed, the contractual partners of the FDFA
refrain from abusing their hierarchical, material or social position
in any way, and decisively strive to counter all forms of
discrimination, particularly those relating to ethnic or religious
background, gender, age, language, illness or physical or mental
disability, as well as all forms of sexual exploitation, particularly of
children and adolescents. In addition, the contractual partners of
the FDFA abstain from any incitement to violence or hatred.
 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Public appearances The contractual partners of the FDFA are aware that, even as
private individuals, they are subject to public interest and that
their statements may elicit undesired consequences.
They refrain from making accusations, provocative statements or
spreading rumours. They give due consideration to their
cooperation with the FDFA and to its interests in their
communications, particularly via the internet or social media.

Transparency The contractual partners of the FDFA ensure that their

professional actions and their motivations are comprehensible
and transparent.

Means, assets and The contractual partners of the FDFA make use of the means and
confidentiality assets of the FDFA and its partners according to the contractual
agreements and legal stipulations, and ensure that the financial
means entrusted to them are employed in a legal, economic and
efficient manner in the pursuit of the agreed objectives. Within
the field of cooperation and development, they are particularly
attentive to achieving the expected impact on the population,
institutions and systems at local level, within the agreed
budgetary framework.
They use the materials entrusted to them and the official logo of
the Swiss Confederation solely for professional purposes, any
private use being subject to a formal agreement. In all cases, they
treat them with care and diligence.
The contractual partners of the FDFA share their knowledge, while
paying attention to confidentiality in matters of data protection
and sensitive information brought to their attention within the
context of their cooperation with the FDFA.

Conflicts of interest and The contractual partners of the FDFA are able to fulfil their
duty of disclosure professional obligations without being influenced by their
personal interests.
They avoid any conflict between their personal interests and those
of the FDFA. They forego their own interests and contribute to the
resolution of potential conflicts of interest, giving due
consideration to their cooperation with the FDFA and to its
interests.
If a conflict or an apparent conflict of interests is unavoidable, they
immediately inform the FDFA.
 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Use of non-public information The contractual partners of the FDFA do not use non-public
information that they have acquired within the context of their
cooperation with the FDFA to their own direct or indirect personal
advantage, nor do they use it to give such an advantage to third
parties.
They do not give recommendations or hints based on such
information to anyone. This rule is particularly applicable when it
can be expected that divulging non-public information will
influence the prices of securities or currency exchange rates.

Corruption and The contractual partners of the FDFA do not misuse their position
accepting to obtain personal benefit, nor to give advantages to third parties.
gifts or other They avoid passive or active corruption in any form.
benefits
They do not accept gifts, invitations or other favours that may
afford them or third parties an unfair material or immaterial
advantage, or that may compromise their integrity, freedom of
action, or impartial judgement.

Security The contractual partners of the FDFA abstain from any actions that
may place them and/or others in a dangerous situation, or that
may compromise their relationship with the FDFA and its
interests.

Health Within the context of executing their contractual obligations to

the FDFA, the contractual partners strive to maintain a healthy
balance between their professional and private life.
 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Reporting a violation of the Code of Conduct

The Compliance Office of the FDFA is the centralised body that is responsible for dealing with cases of
offenses and irregularities reported by employees, contractual partners or third parties.

Any contractual partner of the FDFA who feels under pressure to act in a way that runs counter to the
Code of Conduct, or who witnesses violations of the same, must inform the Compliance Office of the
FDFA ([email protected]).

Every report made in good faith is treated in confidence, and the identity of the whistleblower is
protected. Acts of a criminal nature will be passed on to the competent authorities, in accordance with
the obligation to report under Article 22a of the Federal Act on the Personnel of the Swiss Confederation.

Anonymous reports are permitted; however, they are dealt with in a manner befitting the available
information.

The FDFA encourages its contractual partners to

create an internal reporting procedure that enables
their employees and subcontractors, as well as third
parties, to report instances of wrongdoing to the
management or to an independent body, whilst
guaranteeing them confidential treatment and
protection against retaliatory measures.

The Compliance Office of the FDFA is available for consultation in cases of doubt or questions relating to
the Code of Conduct.

1 August 2018