- Letter from the President/CEO
- PBG Mission Statement
- Business Ethics Line Numbers
- Things to consider as you read and apply our Worldwide Code of Conduct
- Enforcing Business Ethics and Legal Compliance
- Reporting a Violation
- Waivers and Amendments
- Conducting Business with Integrity
- The PBG Work Environment
- Trade Practices
- Product Quality and Environmental Protection
- Use and Protection of PBG’s Assets
- Insider Trading
- Community Relations and Political Participation
Conducting Business with Integrity
Conflicts of Interest
All PBG employees, directors, and officers have an obligation to act in the best interest of the Company at all times. There should never be a conflict or an appearance of a conflict between your personal interests – or those of your family – and the Company’s interests.
A “conflict of interest” occurs when your private interest interferes in any way, or even appears to interfere, with the interest of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise when you or a member of your family has an interest or investment that makes it difficult for you to do your job objectively, fairly, and effectively.
Following are a few scenarios that may lead to a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict:
- Owning an interest (other than an interest through a publicly traded mutual fund) in, rendering services, or working for any company or person that is a customer, supplier, or competitor of PBG.
- Performing work or service for another company that interferes with your responsibilities to PBG.
- Requesting a gift, loan, or favor (such as discounts or other benefits) from an existing or potential customer or supplier.
- Providing or accepting a gift, which is of more than nominal value and does not serve a business purpose, to or from an existing or potential customer or supplier.
- Using PBG’s confidential information for your own benefit or the benefit of others.
- Competing with PBG for the purchase or sale of property, services, or other interests.
- Benefiting from a business venture or opportunity that is related to PBG’s business and that you learn of or develop in the course of your employment at, or association with, PBG.
- Receiving a loan or guaranty of an obligation as a result of your position with the Company.
If you or a member of your family becomes involved in a business dealing that might create a conflict, you are required to disclose those dealings immediately to your Human Resources Manager or the designated person for your location who, together with the PBG Office of Compliance, will determine whether an actual or potential conflict of interest exists. If it does, you will be advised how to appropriately avoid or resolve the conflict.
Business Gifts, Payments, and Fair Dealing
PBG’s policy is to make business decisions based on merit. Each employee, director, and officer of the Company should endeavor to deal fairly with customers, suppliers, competitors, the public, and one another at all times. You should never offer, give, or receive – directly or indirectly – anything of value to or from a business partner to influence or reward a decision or outcome. Inexpensive promotional items, such as T-shirts and hats, are generally of nominal value and do not violate this policy. However, any gifts of value, such as meals, trips, entertainment, gift cards, or merchandise exceeding a nominal value, are subject to this policy. Because of the appearance of impropriety, you should never give cash to a customer, supplier, or other business partner, regardless of amount.
Generally, you may only give or receive a gift or incentive to or from a business partner if it serves a business purpose and has been approved by your supervisor. It is your responsibility to raise these issues with your supervisor who will determine if the gift or incentive is appropriate. Therefore, prior to accepting or providing a gift or incentive, you should discuss the situation with your supervisor.
Further, when providing a gift or incentive, it is your responsibility to (1) secure authorization from both PBG and your business partner’s manager to give the business gift; (2) ensure that the gift does not violate your business partner’s internal company policies; and (3) verify that the gift does not violate any applicable law.
Also, you should never give any gifts or entertainment, other than promotional items (if permitted under the applicable law), to government officials under any circumstances without prior consent from the Law Department.
International Business Conduct
All PBG employees, directors, and officers must comply with applicable U.S. and non-U.S. laws regarding customs and trade. This means that you must be accurate and truthful in representing international business transactions to customs officials and government agencies.
PBG obeys the laws and regulations of the countries where it operates. We respect the lawful customs of host countries and practice responsible corporate citizenship through local volunteer outreach and financial and product donations.
PBG is committed to complying with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), which, as summarized below, prohibits the bribing of any foreign official and requires PBG to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all transactions and dispositions of Company assets. The FCPA applies to all employees, directors, officers, and representatives of PBG (such as, for instance, its affiliates and agents). All PBG employees and representatives who deal with foreign suppliers, customers, and business partners of PBG are subject to the FCPA.
The FCPA prohibits giving payments, gifts, or anything of value to foreign officials intended to influence the official’s business decision, to induce such official to use his or her influence with a foreign government, or to otherwise give the Company an unfair business advantage. Foreign officials include government employees, employees of state-owned enterprises, political parties and their officials, and candidates for a political office. The FCPA also prohibits offering or giving anything of value to any entity or person (such as an agent) if any part of the payment will be used for any of the prohibited actions. In addition, the FCPA contains accounting provisions that require companies to keep books, records, and accounts that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of Company assets. The FCPA does not apply to facilitating payments to expedite or ensure routine government action.
You should never make a payment or offer or give anything of value, directly or indirectly, to a foreign official or to a consultant or agent in connection with an international business transaction, without first obtaining approval from the Law Department. All payments must be for valid business services and in compliance with the Code, the FCPA, and the applicable local law. The amount of any payment must be reasonably related to the services performed, and the payment and the services must be properly recorded and documented. Under no circumstances should you ever make payments or provide anything of value to foreign officials to encourage or reward them for doing business with PBG. All PBG employees must also be accurate and truthful in representing international business transactions to customs officials and government agencies.
A copy of the complete PBG International Anti-Bribery Compliance Policy can be obtained from the Law Department or the Company’s intranet.
Accuracy of Promotional Statements
Sales and promotional activities should reflect PBG’s integrity and high ethical standards. You should be truthful and accurate in business communications with customers, business partners, and consumers.
Accuracy and Retention of Business Records and Communications
PBG is legally required to maintain records and accounts that accurately and fairly reflect our business. PBG is also required to maintain a system of internal accounting controls.
It is your responsibility to keep appropriate and accurate records of all aspects of PBG’s business, including, for example, purchases of raw materials and concentrate, quality control, inventory loss, and product sales. You should never inaccurately record or alter information, or direct or allow others to do so, under any circumstances. You should never establish or permit to be established any undisclosed or unrecorded corporate funds for any purpose, nor place any Company funds in any personal or non-Company accounts.
Business records should be retained according to the Company’s record retention policies and applicable laws. You must never dispose of records related to current or potential litigation or an investigation (or direct or allow others to do so) until termination of the litigation or investigation and without first contacting the Law Department. Unauthorized destruction of any such documents could result in negative consequences for PBG and the individual involved, including potential civil and/or criminal penalties. For example, under U.S. law, it is illegal to destroy documents knowing that such documents may be relevant to an official proceeding. Destruction of documents under these circumstances is a serious offense punishable by a fine and up to twenty (20) years in prison.
As with all investigations, you are required to cooperate fully with PBG’s internal and external auditors.
Should you have any questions regarding PBG’s Record Retention Policy, contact the Law Department.
Quality of Public Disclosures
The Company provides shareholders with full and accurate information, in all material respects, about the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Our reports and documents filed with or submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and our other public communications shall include full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure. The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information necessary to prepare periodic reports to the SEC and other public disclosures is accumulated and made available to senior management on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures are monitored and evaluated by a Disclosure Committee including the General Counsel, the Controller, the Vice President of Investor Relations, and the Vice President of Internal Audit. All employees and officers are required to cooperate fully with the Disclosure Committee and submit any applicable information when requested.