Boskalis Annual Report 2018

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – BOSKALIS 53

WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY Boskalis has a Whistleblower Policy in place that offers employees the possibility to report suspected misconduct within the company. This includes any subject of a general, financial or operational nature which is not in line with the General Code of Business Conduct. A confidential independent counselor has been appointed for the purposes of the Whistleblower Policy. The counselor shall take the reported suspected misconduct immediately into consideration and gain information in relation thereto. Based on this information the counselor shall decide which actions are appropriate and necessary, including a possible investigation on the reported misconduct. The employee who has in good faith reported the suspected misconduct to the counselor, in accordance with the Whistleblower Policy, shall not suffer any detriment as a consequence of this notifcation. The Whistleblower Policy also provides for the possibility to consult a female counselor. The Whistleblower Policy was revised in early 2019 and can be found on the corporate website. SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT Boskalis has a Supplier Code of Conduct, which mirrors our own internal General Code of Business Conduct. Besides considering quality, delivery reliability and price, we also select our suppliers based on sustainability criteria. The Supplier Code of Conduct is an integral part of all procurement contracts. By entering into a contract, suppliers commit themselves to the Boskalis Supplier Code of Conduct. This commitment is also applicable to their own suppliers. In 2018 70% of our strategic suppliers endorsed the Supplier Code of Conduct, compared to 81% in 2017. Each year, we conduct an implementation scan at a cross section at approximately 10% of our strategic suppliers. Suppliers that do not meet our standards are given the chance to improve under our supervision. In the absence of sufficient progress, we will eventually terminate our relationship with these suppliers. More details of this risk matrix assessment and the results over the past years is described in detail on pages 48 to 54 in our CSR report, which also includes the related non-performance indicators on amongst others human rights. ANTI-BRIBERY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY The Boskalis anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy is enshrined in the General Code of Business Conduct. The General Code of Business Conduct states that Boskalis shall not offer, pay, request or accept bribes or other favors for the purpose of acquiring or bestowing any improper business, financial or personal advantage. The General Code of Business Conduct forms part of the employment contracts of Boskalis staff, having been

incorporated in the accompanying employee manual, as well as contracts with directors. Boskalis employees are provided with targeted training on the anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy and are monitored with regard to regulations and legislation concerning bribery and corruption. Furthermore the principles that no bribes or other favors shall be offered, paid, requested or accepted for the purpose of acquiring or bestowing any improper business, financial or personal advantage has also been incorporated in the Supplier Code of Conduct, which is part of the contractual relationship between Boskalis and its suppliers. Suppliers are obliged to select their own suppliers in accordance with the Boskalis Supplier Code of Conduct. In many countries where Boskalis operates it is impossible to conduct activities without a local partner or sponsor. The guidelines for collaborating with such a partner are set out in a contract, which also specifically includes the principles from the General Code of Business Conduct as described above. Local contacts may be maintained by an agent, who also assists in the efficient setting up and execution of projects. Control of integrity risks and compliance with the procedures for concluding agent contracts are part of the internal audits. TAX PRINCIPLES Boskalis has adopted the following tax principles. We believe these principles illustrate good corporate practice in the area of tax management and tax transparency, balancing the interests of our various stakeholders, including clients, investors and the governments and communities in the countries in which we operate. COMPLIANCE We act at all times in accordance with applicable laws and are guided by relevant international standards, for example OECD Guidelines. Disclosures are made in accordance with the relevant domestic regulations, as well as applicable reporting requirements and standards such as IFRS. BUSINESS RATIONALE Tax follows the business, meaning that transactions must have a business rationale. Boskalis does not seek to avoid taxes through ‘artificial’ structures in tax haven jurisdictions.

RELATIONSHIP WITH TAX AUTHORITIES Boskalis seeks to develop strong, mutually respectful relationships with tax authorities.