of Ethics Online Collection:None
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Cummins is committed to quality, innovation and integrity. This commitment is possible because each member of Cummins follows the highest standards of ethical conduct. These standards are embodied in the Cummins Code of Business Conduct. Individual integrity and strong corporate culture are the best assurances that this Code will be followed.
The Code of Business Conduct is an important foundation for Customer Led Quality. Our pursuit of Customer Led Quality will lead to Cummins being the best there is in products, customer support and business operations, and, as a result, growing our profitability to the benefit of all of our stakeholders.
Our success in realizing Customer Led Quality depends in large part on the trust that our stakeholders - customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and the countries and communities in which we live and work - have in Cummins.
Our aim is that Cummins will be known as trustworthy in all respects. This means that all Cummins people throughout the world must:
- Obey the law.
- Be honest - present the facts fairly and accurately.
- Be fair - give everyone due regard and respect.
- Be concerned - care about how Cummins' actions affect others and try to make those effects as beneficial as possible.
- Be proactive - take the initiative to address issues before they become problems.
- Be responsible - particularly as a citizen of the communities and societies in which we operate
- Use good judgment - avoid actions and circumstances that may appear to compromise good business judgment or create a conflict between personal and company interests.
Following these principles on a rare occasion may mean losing some business in the short term. This is a regrettable but acceptable outcome. Over the long haul, this type of behavior will gain us business. People respect and trust this type of behavior, Wish more institutions embodied it, and will reward it.
Integrity is the foundation of Cummins' relationships with customers, suppliers, shareholders, competitors, partners, our communities, and each other. It provides us the opportunity to meet the needs of our customers better than our competitors. All members of Cummins - directors, officers and employees, distributors, subsidiaries and affiliates - continually work to develop and protect this critical asset through their everyday activities.
Integrity in everything we do is essential to Cummins' ability to provide an excellent and sustainable long term return to our shareholders, and to be able to satisfy the needs of all of Cummins' stakeholders.
Our commitment to integrity means that we will exceed the minimum requirements of the law and industry practices. This (ode serves as a daily guide to our behavior as employees of Cummins and identifies conduct that is not permitted during employment with Cummins. Violations at any level will not be tolerated, and in some cases could result in dismissal as well as in civil or even criminal liability for the company, individuals, or both.
Some of the areas of conduct are very technical. Many are supported by specific policies in the Cummins Policies and Procedures ((PPS) system, which are available in Documaster or in hard copy at every Cummins entity around the world. Applicable policies, including their Documaster designation, are listed below. If you have any questions about any Cummins policy, do not hesitate to call the person designated in that policy.
Although some areas may be technical or the policies detailed, keep in mind these basic guidelines: If
You are uncomfortable With a particular action,
- You would be unwilling to tell persons you love and respect,
- You would not want to see it reported on the front page of your major newspaper,
then DON'T DO IT. Instead, ask your supervisor for guidance under this Code of Conduct, or contact the Vice President
If you feel pressured, DON'T DO IT and get guidance. You may also make anonymous inquiries by calling the confidential "Ethics Help Line" at the appropriate number for your location.
SPECIFIC AREAS OF CONDUCT
Conducts Concerning Our Customers Suppliers and Competitors
Customer Satisfaction
We are dedicated to meeting or exceeding the expectations
of our customers better than any of our competitors. We will
provide our customers with products, information and support
that yield a comparative advantage. Customer satisfaction
will be the measure of our success. At every opportunity we
will take the step that delights our customers. This is our
objective.
Cummins' Products
Cummins' products are an extension of the Company itself.
In all aspects of the design, manufacture, sale and support
of our products, we will provide the highest levels of qualify
and innovation. We are committed to making available safe
products, which meet the performance, durability and reliability
needs of our customers. As part of our dedication to environmental
stewardship, our products will meet or surpass appropriate
emission standards for the country in which the product is
sold.
Terms of Commercial Transactions
Cummins competes on a straight commercial basis everywhere
in the world. Our employees will do nothing in search of business
they would not reveal willingly or publicly to any other member
of Cummins, any government official, or any member of society.
Conducting our business with integrity - honestly and fairly
- will earn repeat business from our customers and help us
achieve our goal of Customers for Life. For additional guidance,
see Cummins "Ethic Standards" policy
Cummins' Competitors
Cummins will compete vigorously with its competitors, but
always with integrity.
Employees should not disparage our competitors or our competitors'
products. In addition, our employees should not fraternize
with our competitors if such conduct would give even the appearance
of a potential agreement between Cummins and a competitor.
Cummins respects the confidential nature of certain information
of its competitors. Never accept confidential information
about our competitors. If you receive any such information
or any person offers you any confidential information, contact
the Law Department. Cummins will always return any such information
to the competitor.
Supplier Selection/Conflicts of Interest
All of Cummins' employees are expected to use non-discriminatory
practices throughout the supplier selection process. Every
employee is expected to avoid any situation in which his or
her interests (or those of his or her family) may conflict
with the interests of the Company. Every employee with a financial
interest in any actual or potential supplier or customer must
disclose that interest to his or her supervisor immediately
and, if applicable, in his or her annual Ethics Certification
Statement.
Receipt and Giving of Gifts
In general, employees should neither accept nor offer gifts
to customers or suppliers unless the gifts are designated
as part of a recognized business event.
Gifts exceeding US $50 in value may be given or accepted only
with the concurrence of an employee's supervisor. All gifts
(except minor promotional token items) not reported and approved
by the employee's supervisor must be reported annually on
the Ethics Certification Statement.
Antitrust and Competition Laws
Employees must comply with antitrust laws of the United States
and the competition laws of other countries in which we do
business. These laws cover agreements among competitors, agreements
with resellers, price discrimination, and other acts that
may unfairly reduce competition.
Government Contracts
Because Cummins is a supplier to federal, state and local
governments around the world, Cummins employees are expected
to comply with all laws and regulations relating to government
contracts and to cooperate fully with investigators and auditors
who require information in connection with such contracts.
Import/Export Controls and Boycotts
Cummins transacts business on a global basis. Each Cummins
employee involved with the sale or shipment of products
across
international borders is expected to understand and comply
with the import/export control restrictions of all countries
in which we do business.
Cummins will do business with entities in other countries
based solely on commercial considerations. We will not become
involved in disputes between countries by participating in
boycotts, unless the boycott is imposed by a country that
has jurisdiction over our products. We may be required to
report boycott requests to relevant government authorities
even if we do not cooperate with the request. For additional
guidance, contact the Law Department.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Diversity
Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. We make employment
decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
age,
national origin, disability or any other characteristic irrelevant
to the job. The company's recruitment, hiring, transfer,
promotion
and compensation policies will he non-discriminatory. Quite
apart from legal requirements, diversity of backgrounds
makes
Cummins stronger and is essential to our operating as a world-class
competitor.
Treatment of Each Other At Work
Each employee will treat every other employee, customer, vendor
and others met in the course of work with dignity and respect.
Harassment of any type in the workplace will not be tolerated.
Safe Working Environment
Cummins is committed to maintaining at each company facility
a workplace free from recognized hazards, which cause or are
likely to cause physical harm to our employees. Prevention
of occupationally related injuries and illnesses is the responsibility
of every Cummins employee. All employees are expected to report
unsafe or hazardous working conditions immediately to their
supervisors. No retaliatory action or other reprisal shall
be taken as a result of an employee's making a good faith
report.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Possession, sale, use or being under the influence of illegal
drugs (including prescription drugs except in strict adherence
to the prescription) or alcohol while on Company property,
or during work hours, is strictly prohibited. Alcohol may
be permitted during certain company-sponsored events with
the advance approval of a company officer.
Company time
Full-time, regular exempt employees may not hold full- or
part-time positions or directorships outside the company without
express permission from their manager and disclosure in their
annual Ethics Certification Statement.
Conducts Concerning Our Employees
Shareholder Value
Cummins is committed to providing an excellent sustainable
long-term financial return to our shareholders and to protecting
and improving the value of their investment through prudent
application of corporate resources and by observing the highest
standards of legal and ethical conduct in all our business
dealings.
Securities Law Compliance
Non-public information about Cummins or other companies that
could affect the price of Cummins' stock or investors' decisions
must be held in strict confidence. No one with access to material,
non-public information may buy, sell or advise others regarding
such stock until the information has been publicly released.
For additional guidance, contact the Law Department.
Accuracy of Financial Records/Financial Representations
Each employee must report all corporate transactions accurately
and truthfully, including receipts, disbursements, and the
nature and purpose of transactions. Invoices, quotations,
receipts and other statements reflecting charges, prices,
product descriptions, terms or business intentions, must be
complete and accurate. It is against Company policy knowingly
to supply false or misleading financial information regarding
the company to any person. We will cooperate fully with auditors
and under no circumstances withhold information from them.
Responsible Citizenship
Cummins is committed to improving the communities in which
we operate and to being a responsible citizen of society.
Cummins entities and the Cummins Engine Foundation will actively
support initiatives designed to improve the communities in
which we live in and work.
Employee Participation in Community Activities
Consistent with the above, Cummins encourages all employees
to take part in community activities. In doing so, however,
it is essential that employees speak only for themselves and
do not imply that they are speaking for or making commitments
on behalf of the Company, unless authorized to do so by appropriate
Cummins officials.
Conducts Regarding Our Facilities and Property
Environmental Compliance
It is the policy of Cummins to manage and operate its business
in ways that are protective of the environment and that conserve
both energy and natural resources. In addition to compliance
with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, Cummins
recognizes excellence in environmental management as among
the highest corporate priorities. In some cases, this may
mean Cummins Will do more than the low requires.
Computer Equipment/Copyrights
The Company's computer hardware, software and data may be
used only by authorized personnel for Company business, and
provisions and copyright restrictions will be respected. Company
computer assets may be used on a limited basis with the approval
of an employee's supervisor to support an employee's work
with community agencies and organizations.
Other Company Property
Company property, equipment and facilities may not be used
for anything other than Company business without prior permission
of the employee's supervisor.
Confidential and Proprietary Information
Employees frequently have access to confidential or proprietary
information owned by or concerning the Company. No employee
shall disclose such information to any person, except persons
Within the Company who need to know. Employees shall use all
reasonable efforts to protect and safeguard such information.
Similarly, Cummins employees will respect confidentiality
new employees have to their former employers.
Conducts Regarding Political Campaigns and Government Officials
Personal Participation
Personal participation in political activities must be separated from corporate activities. The Company's name, property, including stationery, and work time must not be used in connection with such activities. Payments to Government Officials
Employees must not make, promise, authorize or arrange any payment or gift of any kind to any U.S. political party or candidate, government or military employee or agent, or their families anywhere in the world, as part of their transaction of business on behalf of Cummins. Nominal gratuities may be permissible in limited situations, but not consulting with your supervisor and other appropriate Company personnel.

