The credibility of analyses and audits relies both on the excellence of our methodology and the code of ethics with which it is applied. In this regard, the Vigeo Group derives inspiration from fundamental values and principles.
The principle of responsibility with regard to our stakeholders
Vigeo insists on:
- Strict adherence to the fundamental rights of every employee and right to exercise his/her collective rights freely
- An objective and transparent approach to regulations in matters regarding remuneration, appraisals and in-house training
- Respect for the natural environment and reduction of environmental impacts both in business activity and in the use of resources
- Respect for competitors, in particular by refraining from any act of denigration, insinuation or controversy concerning them.
Independence of the agency
In order to avoid any conflict of interest, Vigeo guarantees its independence thanks to:
- The diverse nature of its shareholders – nine pension fund and asset managers (46.18%), nine trade unions and NGOs (23.59%) and 37 private companies (30.23%) – and the way its capital is dispersed
- Its multi-disciplined Scientific Council and autonomous management board
- Regular and independent reports sent from the Scientific Council to both the Board of Directors and the Annual Meeting on the current status and developments in methodology
- The rigorous separation of workforce, office and IT resources and of the management structures in the SRI Research and the CSR Audit departments
Intellectual integrity, guarantee of impartiality
All analysis and auditing must be carried out following methodological procedures and with the intention of remaining impartial.
- The ethos of our team is to be loyal to the agency and its clients, and respect for third parties.
- This means that the companies and organisations under consideration along with their management team and members are guaranteed confidentiality for all information gathered and processed, and for the paper and electronic dissemination and archiving of data and documents.
- All our staff, more particularly all our analysts and auditors agree to respect the code of professional confidentiality, and the obligation to remain impartial and independent with respect to the companies and bodies under review.
Quality assurance
Quality is more than just a word within the Vigeo Group. Aware of our responsibility, our methodology requires our analyses to be formalised in accordance with a written formula and a two or even three-stage monitoring procedure of the relevant regulations with respect to:
- Sequence of data collection
- Plurality of information sources
- Questionnaire and analysis manual
- Regulations for formulating and expressing our judgements on the organisations under review.
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Our Ethics 
