Code of Ethics
WEG’s Code of Ethics is a cross-cutting theme based on the UN’s human rights and on the company’s values and policies, ensuring the integrity of employees and stakeholders. All hierarchical levels of the company are involved, aiming at aggregating a broad and diversified vision. Additionally, WEG encourages its stakeholders to apply the guidelines of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics Management Commission coordinates the process, and the Executive Board and Board of Directors approves it.
Duties of the Code of Ethics Management Commission
- Interpret the Code of Ethics in cases that are not clear in order to make its understanding uniform and avoid ambiguities in its application.
- Periodically analyze and revise, when necessary, the Code of Ethics in the light of ethical application and evolvement in the social field and within the company.
- Monitor the alignment of the application across the units of the group.
- Check and inform the direction about the application of the Code in the company.
- Deliberate on the necessary resources for the application of the Code.
WEG ethics channel
The Ethics Channel is one of the tools that reinforces the WEG Compliance Program, which represents the alignment of the company's conduct with values and principles, internal rules and what is established in society in terms of laws and customs. In a transparent and secure manner, the Ethics Channel establishes a way for direct, secure communication and treatment of information in absolute confidentiality. The channel is available to employees as well as WEG’s business partners, and it is open 24x7.
In this channel, you can:
- Clarify questions about any personal conduct or procedure in your area at the company.
- Report nonconformities.
- Check the status of the verification procedure and the final opinion on the report, complaint and suggestion made.
Investigation and disciplinary measures
All complaints and reports received are evaluated by a collegiate body appointed by the Board of Directors of WEG S.A., called the Complaint Analysis Group, which carries out the investigations under the coordination of WEG's Internal Audit Department, which has independence to carry out its activities.
For complaints involving labor relations, such as discrimination and harassment, disciplinary measures are applied, ranging from verbal warning to dismissal of the employee, depending on the severity of the occurrence.
For well-founded complaints involving other stakeholders, corrective actions are applied in accordance with the company's practices.
Periodically, senior management expresses its opinion on violations of the Code of Ethics, based on detailed reports presented by the Internal Audit with the indicators and actions taken.
WEG Integrity Program
WEG maintains constant control and monitoring activities in order to prevent and avoid illegal acts in its activities and business. Likewise, WEG has a predictive approach regarding compliance and compliance, with a permanent dissemination and training program on ethics and integrity issues.
Audit on ethics issues
WEG conducts audits on ethics issues, including anti-corruption, in all its operations, on a 3-year cycle.
Continuous qualification of employees
Training in the policy for preventing and combating corruption and other harmful acts for strategic areas
WEG provides regular training for all administrators, members of the Fiscal Council, managers and employees who can act on behalf of and authorized by WEG, who, at the end of the training, sign the acknowledgment of this policy. The training has global coverage, being conducted in Portuguese, English, Spanish, Mandarin and German.
Training of new employees in the code of ethics
Upon hiring, all new employees, including part-time staff, are trained on the topics covered in the WEG Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics addresses issues related to ethical standards such as anti-corruption, human rights, the environment, among others. The system for controlling and monitoring ethics training provided to temporary and third-party workers is also being improved. The Code of Ethics is made available to employees, and online training is conducted, where their acknowledgment is recorded.
Competency assessment – Code of Ethics
The assessment is based on a standard document with predefined themes and questions that seek to bring impartiality to the assessment. Among other items, there are those related to the employee's responsibilities regarding compliance with standards, safety procedures and conducts directed by our Code of Ethics. The competency assessment is related to the variable remuneration of employees participating in the PWQP Program (WEG Quality and Productivity Program).
Leadership and employee development
Engagement and transparent communication
“Developing leaders and employees, strengthening skills for the business sustainability challenges.”
QPOP Program - Professional Qualification of Production Operators
The QPOP (Professional Qualification of Production Operators) program was created in 2002 with the objective of offering technical professional development opportunities to employees in production areas. This contributes to increasing the level of technical knowledge of employees who work in activities that directly affect product quality, as well as increasing employee awareness regarding the procedures that must be followed throughout the production chain.
In 2023 alone, 2,157 employees were impacted by the QPOP program.
QPSS Program - Professional Qualification Program in Six Sigma
The Six Sigma Methodology is a set of techniques and tools that aim to systematically improve processes and products, acting on compliance and reliability. Its approach is focused on customer satisfaction and the pursuit of Competitiveness, Quality, Sustainability and Technology. WEG's Six Sigma Program was launched in 2015 and is implemented across all of the company's divisions (Motors, Energy, Automation, Transformers, Paints and Digital & Systems). The Six Sigma program operates globally, with approximately 2,200 employees trained to apply the Six Sigma methodology in the Master Black Belt, Black Belt, Green Belt and Yellow Belt categories, in addition to having trained more than 1,000 managers in the Six Sigma Champion category. During this same period, more than 2,900 improvement projects were carried out, increasing the quality of products and processes, reducing waste and contributing to the sustainability of the company's business. This program has generated an accumulated revenue of approximately 38 million dollars. In addition to the financial result, the application of the methodology results in intangible gains, since it has helped to solve critical problems that impact customer satisfaction, the maintenance and increase of product sales and the acquisition of new customers. The program has scope in several WEG segments and on a global basis.
WEG Language Program
In 2023, the provision of a language course for all WEG employees was approved, with the aim of accelerating their mastery of English and Spanish in order to meet the needs of strategic and critical positions within the company. It is very important that our employees are prepared to meet the constant demand for internationalization of processes, as well as future opportunities, in line with the company's growth. This will provide professional development to employees, reduction of cultural and linguistic barriers, agility and more effective communication. This program covers all levels of the company, from managers to employees in the manufacturing areas.
WEG Leadership Academy
WEG Leadership Academy is a global platform adapted to the reality and demands of WEG leadership, with soft-skills courses and internal WEG courses, aiming to accelerate the development of WEG leaders globally through training and qualification. The WEG Leadership Academy was launched in 2023 and aims to offer a single communication channel for all WEG managers in four languages (English, Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin) and expand training/qualification for managers in Brazil and abroad focusing on WEG culture and the reality of each operation. There are currently 2,150 connected leaders who carry out their activities at different times and environments, considering the best fit within their routines. It is understood that developed leaders impact the organization's results, through better negotiations, better planning, better team and business management, greater retention and attraction of qualified professionals.
Risk Management
WEG adopts a Risk Management Policy aimed at establishing the guidelines in order to ensure that the identification, analysis, evaluation, mitigation and monitoring of risks are carried out in accordance with the defined methodologies, assigning roles and responsibilities to the different levels of the Company, taking into account the strategic planning, processes, business models and external factors.
Risks are reviewed periodically through analysis and classification of risks into six categories: external, strategic, financial, people, compliance and governance, and operations.
The Board of Directors is aware of the mapped risks, as well as the action plans aimed at improving actions to mitigate the most relevant risks.
Análisis de riesgo climático
WEG, comprometida con la sostenibilidad y la gestión responsable de sus activos, realiza análisis de riesgos basados en escenarios climáticos para garantizar la continuidad del negocio. Este enfoque estratégico le permite desarrollar planes de adaptación sólidos, anticipar posibles impactos y definir acciones que fortalezcan su resiliencia al cambio climático.
Como parte de este compromiso, desde 2024, WEG ha realizado un análisis global de sus ubicaciones, considerando cuatro escenarios de cambio climático distintos, alineados con las proyecciones del Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre el Cambio Climático (IPCC): SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0 y SSP5-8.5. Esta evaluación detallada permite a la empresa comprender los riesgos físicos asociados a cada escenario y tomar decisiones estratégicas informadas para mitigar los impactos y garantizar la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de sus operaciones.
Gestión de la Seguridad de la Información
Planes de Continuidad de Negocios Relacionados con la Seguridad de la Información
WEG adopta directrices sólidas para la elaboración y ejecución de Planes de Continuidad de Negocios (PCN), con el objetivo de asegurar la continuidad de los servicios de TI que respaldan los procesos críticos de la organización. Esta estrategia abarca la implementación integrada de soluciones tecnológicas, procesos bien definidos y enfoques organizacionales estructurados.
Además, los planes de continuidad de TI de WEG están diseñados para mitigar riesgos operativos, garantizar la resiliencia de las operaciones y minimizar impactos en situaciones de interrupción, como fallas del sistema, ciberataques o desastres naturales. La empresa realiza pruebas periódicas y revisiones de estas estrategias, alineándolas con las mejores prácticas del mercado y con las necesidades específicas de sus negocios. Todo el proceso se lleva a cabo con enfoque en la seguridad de la información, la eficiencia operativa y el compromiso con la entrega continua de valor a clientes y partes interesadas.
WEG mantiene actividades de control y monitoreo constante para prevenir y evitar actos ilícitos en sus operaciones y negocios. De igual manera, WEG adopta un enfoque proactivo en relación con la conformidad y compliance, incluyendo un programa permanente de difusión y capacitación sobre temas de ética e integridad.
Análisis de Vulnerabilidades de Seguridad de la Información
WEG implementa un proceso estructurado de gestión de vulnerabilidades y aplicación de parches, abarcando sistemas, infraestructura de TI y activos de microinformática. Este proceso se basa en directrices claras que orientan el análisis de riesgos, la definición de roles y responsabilidades, y el establecimiento de plazos para la corrección de vulnerabilidades y la mitigación de riesgos.
Además, la gestión de vulnerabilidades de WEG sigue las mejores prácticas del mercado, incluyendo evaluaciones continuas para identificar posibles amenazas y priorización de acciones correctivas según criterios de criticidad e impacto en el negocio. El proceso también incluye:
- Monitoreo proactivo: Identificación de vulnerabilidades en tiempo real utilizando herramientas de seguridad avanzadas.
- Aplicación de parches: Actualizaciones regulares y estratégicas para corregir fallas de seguridad en sistemas y dispositivos.
- Capacitación y concientización: Formación de equipos técnicos y usuarios para reducir riesgos asociados a vulnerabilidades humanas.
- Auditorías y cumplimiento: Garantizar alineación con normas regulatorias y políticas internas de seguridad.
A través de este proceso, WEG refuerza su compromiso con la protección de datos, la integridad de las operaciones y la resiliencia frente a amenazas cibernéticas, al mismo tiempo que preserva la confiabilidad y eficiencia de sus sistemas de TI.
Auditorías Internas de Infraestructura de TI
WEG establece directrices generales para la realización de auditorías internas en las empresas controladas, ya sea de forma directa o indirecta, asegurando cumplimiento, transparencia y eficiencia de los procesos organizacionales. La Auditoría Interna, como área corporativa estratégica, reporta directamente al Consejo de Administración de WEG S.A., asegurando independencia e imparcialidad en sus actividades.
Además, el proceso de auditoría interna desempeña un papel crucial en la evaluación continua de los controles internos, incluyendo aquellos relacionados con sistemas y procesos de TI.
La Auditoría Interna de WEG también desempeña un papel clave en el fortalecimiento de la gobernanza corporativa, promoviendo una cultura organizacional basada en ética, transparencia y responsabilidad. A través de informes regulares al Consejo de Administración, el área contribuye a decisiones estratégicas más informadas y alineadas con los objetivos de la compañía.
Política de Inteligencia Artificial (IA)
Através de la Política de Inteligencia Artificial (IA), el Grupo WEG establece directrices claras para asegurar el uso legal, ético y responsable de la tecnología.
Con cobertura global, la Política:
• Enfatiza el cumplimiento de las leyes de protección de datos como LGPD, GDPR y PIPL, prohibiendo la inclusión de datos personales, información privada o datos confidenciales en aplicaciones de IA no aprobadas. La empresa garantiza que los datos sensibles no se utilicen para reentrenar modelos de IA y mantiene directrices estrictas para el manejo seguro de los datos de los usuarios.
• Aborda los riesgos de ciberseguridad asociados al uso de IA, incluyendo la posible manipulación de modelos de lenguaje de gran tamaño (LLMs). La implementación de medidas de seguridad es obligatoria, como la restricción de APIs, complementos o software relacionados con IA no autorizados por la empresa. La empresa realiza evaluaciones de riesgos para aplicaciones de IA y protege los sistemas contra vulnerabilidades.
• Mitiga sesgos en algoritmos de IA asegurando que los conjuntos de datos de entrenamiento sean representativos de poblaciones diversas. Los algoritmos se someten a revisiones y auditorías periódicas para identificar y corregir sesgos, promoviendo la equidad y la inclusión. Los estándares éticos guían el desarrollo y uso de IA en alineación con los valores de diversidad, equidad e inclusión de WEG.
• Exige la identificación clara del contenido generado por IA en las comunicaciones externas. El contenido debe incluir atribución visible, como notas al pie o etiquetas, para garantizar transparencia a clientes y partes interesadas.
