How we do business
SGS is committed to maintaining universally accepted standards of corporate governance and business integrity. Our corporate governance policies are designed to maximize shareholder value by defining clear and efficient decision-making processes, fostering a climate of performance and accountability among managers and employees and aligning employees’ remuneration with the long-term interests of shareholders.
We are legally bound by the SIX Swiss Exchange where our shares are listed. They are traded on SIX Europe (Swiss Security Number: 249745; ISIN: CH0002497458). On December 31, 2010, the market capitalization of SGS SA was CHF 12 273 million. None of the companies under the direct or indirect control of SGS SA has listed its shares or other securities on any stock exchange.
Our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for key business policies, including those which impact on sustainability. As well as operational management of our activities, the board is responsible for risk management, regulatory compliance, internal controls and policies relating to professional conduct. The board is assisted by our Audit Committee, Professional Conduct Committee and Operations Council which undertakes approval and implementation of business strategy.
You can discover more about our governance structures, corporate sustainability policies and codes of ethics and conduct under the Related Topics links at the left of this page.
How we are structured
SGS SA, registered in Geneva (CH), controls all companies worldwide belonging to the SGS Group, which provides independent inspection, verification, testing, certification and quality assurance services through its worldwide network of subsidiaries, branches and agencies.
Our operations are divided into ten regions, each led by a chief operating officer who is a member of the Operations Council, responsible for the SGS businesses in that region and for the local implementation of group policies and strategies. At December 31, 2010, geographic operations were organized as follows:
GEOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS
| REGIONs | COUNTRIES |
|---|
Europe, Africa, Middle East |
Western Europe Central and North West Europe South East Europe Eastern Europe and Middle East Africa |
| Americas |
North America South America |
Asia Pacific |
East Asia China and Hong Kong
South East Asia and Pacific |
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