Our Coxswain

He was born in Chakrajapur, one of Rajshahi Zilla's rural villages. To be honest, he had to thrive his existence in absence of any basic amenities, such as no electricity during the day or night, and no appropriate road access between home and school. These conditions in his hamlet have not changed despite its isolation and geographic disadvantages. Furthermore, the people are concerned about their families every year because this community, particularly the CHAR areas, is frequently flooded.

As a result, the villagers are forced to move their homes from one location to another, and his family is no exception. Furthermore, due to river erosion, which has been a burning concern in his family since he was a child, he did not have a permanent home. His relatives, based on their ancestors' generations, have had to relocate three times in their lives.

We are talking about none other than the very talented, phenomenal, wunderkind, Managing Director, and coxswain of GSCS International Ltd., Mr. Abdul Mottaleb.

Coming from the most destitute and underprivileged societal background of a third-world country like Bangladesh, he has shown the world a paradigm of self-sufficiency through his every step.

Starting from a very scratch, he has built GSCS International Ltd., a well-reputed and sprouting Auditing and Certification Body rounding the world.

In his words “Today GSCS works to add up with 12 Sustainable Development Goals directly and all of them indirectly through their schemes. Sustainability is the key to livelihood in today’s world and GSCS believes that with quality services of sustainability standards, we can make a difference in sustainability movement.”

Quality Policy

GSCS International Ltd. has established a policy to ensure the quality in every level of its activities as follows-

• GSCS International Ltd. shall consistently serve its client with the highest level of ethics, integrity, confidentiality, impartially and accountability to ensure quality.
• GSCS International Ltd. shall consistently ensure the client’s expectation and satisfaction through maintaining standard’s requirements and continioul organizational improvement.
• Any internal or external unethical issue shall be treated as Zero Tolerance by GSCS International Ltd.
• GSCS shall ensure the competencies and necessary resources to the personnel related to its services for ensuring the quality.

Statement of impartiality

1. Introduction This procedure is to identify the methods for ensuring GSCS Board, management, staffs, inspector/auditor and contractors are impartial and remain so during all dealings with any clients, potential clients and at all times during the certification and evaluation process. All staff and inspectors working for and on behalf of the company have signed a code of conduct and confidentiality agreement as well as declared all interest within and outside of the company. This procedure relates to all Board and Committee members, all management and staff, including contractors of GSCS. This procedure relates to these members whilst directly working for GSCS and during any dealings with actual or potential clients during and at all times outside business hours. 2. Process of Action GSCS Managing Director, COO and staffs are fully committed to ensuring that all operation and activities are impartial. Any relationships between individuals employed by or contracted to GSCS with other organisations or individuals will be declared, reviewed, documented and risk assessed. GSCS does not allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise the impartiality of its personnel and its responsibility for the impartiality of its certification activities.

Appeal and complain policy

1. Introduction To review and resolve the internal and external appeals and complaints and to take whatever action is required to prevent a recurrence of that deficiency. This procedure shall cover the following: receipt of formal appeal & complaints from GSCS registered operator/applicants; receipt of a formal appeal & complaints from a user of the GSCS registered client. receipt of a formal appeal & complaints from a clients, vendor, brands etc. receipt of a formal appeal & complaints from a GSCS Overseas offices receipt of verbal appeal & complaints and anonymous complaints Internal employees Example of internal appeal or complaints- if file reviewer does not agree with the Lead auditor/inspector’s recommendation, this is subject to the internal appeals/ complaint process.

Anti corruption

1.Introduction

The purpose of this procedure is to establish controls to ensure that all regulations relating to anti-bribery and corruption are fully complied. This document provides information and guidance in dealing with bribery and corruption within GSCS International Ltd. that is generated towards ethical conduct and social responsibility. It is GSCS’s commitment to engage in businesses in an honest and ethical manner. GSCS implements a zero-tolerance to bribery and corruption. GSCS is committed to dealing with people professionally, fairly and with integrity wherever we operate, and implementing and enforcing effective systems to impede bribery and corruption. GSCS upholds all laws relevant in countering bribery and corruption in all the territories in which it operates. However, GSCS remains bound by the laws of the Bangladesh ordinance in respect of its conduct both in the Bangladesh and overseas.

2.Who iscovered? In this policy, third party means any individual or organisation that GSCS come into contact with during the course of work and includes clients, customers, suppliers, distributors, advisers, and accreditation bodies, including their representatives and officials. This policy applies to all GSCS employees working at all levels including senior managers, directors, auditors (full-time, contracted or sub-contracted), trainees, staff, or any other person associated with GSCS, or any of its subsidiaries/ partners or their employees, wherever located. This policy covers: a.Bribes b.Gifts andHospitality c.Facilitationpayments d.Political contributions e.Charitablecontributions a.Bribes GSCS employees shall not engage in any form of bribery, either directly or through any third party. Specifically, they shall not bribe nor receive bribe anywhere in theworld. GSCS auditors shall not be approached outside of the audit period such as,but not limited to, intheir homes, hotel, or any place for any other reason than the audit. GSCS auditors may not accept rides to the client’slocation or from client location to any destination. Transportation on provided by the client will only be allowed in circumstances where alternative transportation is notavailable or other factors such as proximityremain. In such cases, the auditor shall inform and getapproval from GSCS Head Office or the local officersupervisor. b.Gifts &Hospitality All GSCS employees shall not offer or give any gift or ospitality: Toanyonewhichcouldberegardedasillegalorimproper,orwhichviolatesthe recipient’s ownpolicies. To any client or a potential client where a servicecan be delivered or where GSCS can render itsservices. Employees may not accept any gift or hospitality from our business partners or any entity: i. Unless approved in writing by the employee’smanager. ii. Whetherit is in cash or kind. iii. If there is,any suggestion that a return favour will be expected orimplied. GSCS understands that the practice of giving business gifts varies between countries and regions and what may be normal and acceptable in one region maynot be in another. The point to beconsidered is whether in all the circumstances the gift or hospitality is reasonable and justifiable, and that it does not lead to a compromise in business dealings. Theintention behind the gift should always be considered. c. Accreditation Bod yAuditors Frequenting at any time by management, auditors or any GSCS staffs outside the audit time with accreditation body auditors is not allowed. All meals, transportation or any cost relating to audit shall be paid by the accreditation body or their auditors upfront as part of the booking for the said audit. Auditors of Accreditation Bodies shall be expected to have a similar reign and operate to the same ethical levels as GSCS auditors. d. Facilitation payments and kickbacks In this policy, facilitation payments are a form of bribery made for the purpose of expediting or facilitating a project or service (E.g.: certification, an accreditation, inspection, etc.). In order to achieve GSCS’s aim of not making any facilitation payments, each overseas partner (OSP) will keep a record of all payments made, which must be reported to the head office in the Bangladesh, in order to evaluate the business risk and to develop a strategy to minimise such payments. e. Charitable contributions Charitable support and donations are acceptable (and indeed are encouraged), whether in kind, services, or financial contributions. However, employees must be careful to ensure that charitable contributions are not used as a scheme to conceal bribery and corruption. GSCS only make charitable donations that are legal and ethical under local laws and no donation must be offered or made without the prior approval of GSCS Head Office. All charitable contributions should be publicly disclosed.

3. Use of client resources Use of resources other than as specified within section 3.2 of this document, examples being, but limited to: ➢Use of office facilities such as internet, photocopying and telephone calls. ➢Not staying in hotels booked by and paid by the client if not mentioned in contract. 4.Responsibility GSCS ensures that all its employees understand and comply with this policy. The prevention, detection and reporting of bribery and other forms of corruption are the responsibility of all those working for GSCS. Allemployees are obliged to avoid getting involvedin any activity that might lead or suggest to a breach of this policy. Shall there be a case that needs to be investigated, a report or complaint can be submitted through the GSCS website as soon as possible, and will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Any employee who breaches the anti-bribery andcorruption policy will face disciplinary action, whichcanresult in dismissal for gross misconduct. GSCS reservesthe right to terminate any contractualrelationship withitsemployees ifthey breach this policy. 5.Record Keeping GSCS must keep financial records and have appropriate internal controls in place that will evidence the business reason for paying or receiving payments from third parties or clients. Employees must declare and keep a written record of all hospitality or gifts accepted or offered, which will be subjected to review. All GSCS employees must ensure all expense claims relating to hospitality, gifts or expenses incurred to third parties are submitted and specifically record the reason for the expenditure. All invoices, documents and records relating to dealings with third parties, such as but not limited to,clients, suppliers and business contacts, accreditation bodies should be prepared and maintained with strict accuracy and rectitude. No account must be kept unrecorded or documented to facilitate or conceal improper payments. 6.Raising a Concern All GSCS employees are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of malpractice and unethical conduct. In any case that there is a doubt whether a particular incident or action suggests bribery or corruption, or should there be any other queries or concerns, these should be raised to the immediate GSCS superior or through the GSCS website. 7.Protection GSCS encourages transparency and will support anyone who raises concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. GSCS is committed to ensuring that nobody suffers any unfavourable treatment as results of reporting bribery or any form of corruption in good faith. If the matter is not resolved at its current level, the employee should raise it formally to the GSCS Head Office. 8.Training and Communication GSCS during its induction process for all new employees should include the policy on anti-bribery and corruption. In addition, all employees shall be asked to formally accept conformance and adherence to this policy on a regular basis, apart from the Code of Conduct that GSCS employees sign prior to joining the company. GSCS’s zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of the business relationship and as appropriate thereafter. 9. Responsibility for the Policy The GSCS board of directors has the overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with legal and ethical obligations, and that all overseas partners comply with it. The Chairman along with the directors/ managers of each overseas partner has the primary responsibility for implementing and monitoring its use and effectiveness. Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them are made aware of and understand this policy. 10.Monitoring and Review GSCS HQ will monitor the effectiveness and review the implementation of this policy regularly considering its suitability. Any improvement identified will be made as soon as possible. Controls and compliance will be carried out during internal audits of the management system. All employees shall be aware of their own responsibility in making this policy effective and should ensure they use it to disclose any suspected danger or wrongdoing, and not to report for maligning someone for personal interest. All GSCS overseas partners and employees are invited to comment on this policy and suggest in which it might be improved. Comments, suggestions and queries should be addressed directly to GSCS International Ltd. or by direct email at info@gscsbd.com.