02.13.18
Colgate-Palmolive, Ecolab, Ingredion, Kao, L'Oréal and Natura all made Ethisphere's 2018 list of the World's Most Ethical Companies. Since 2007, Ethisphere has honored the World’s Most Ethical Companies who recognize their critical role to influence and drive positive change in the business community and societies around the world and work to maximize their impact wherever possible.
In 2018, 135 companies are being honored from 23 countries and 57 industries. Among the list are 12 12-time honorees and 15 first-time honorees.
Companies are asked to fill out a questionnaire to measure their Ethics Quotient. The main evaluation categories are Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility; Ethics and Compliance Program; Corporate Governance; Leadership, Innovation and Reputation; and Culture of Ethics. Each category is evaluated through a combination of answers to the EQ questionnaire, submitted supplemental documentation, and where necessary, independent research and follow up with each candidate.
The EQ questionnaire is jointly developed by Ethisphere's internal team of legal and compliance professionals and its Methodology Advisory Panel. Advisory panel members include experts from the fields of law, corporate reputation, corporate ethics, governance, anti-corruption and government. According to Ethisphere, the questionnaire is reviewed regularly to ensure that it aligns with the ever-changing expectations of employees, managers, shareholders, regulators and the public at large. For example, in 2015, the questionnaire was significantly revised across each assessment category, and in 2016 several additions were made in the areas of data privacy, cyber security and assessing an organization’s ethical culture. Last year there was an increased focus on diversity at the board and executive levels, compliance and ethics program structure (based on recent guidance from regulators) and how companies are evaluating their compliance and ethics programs. Improvements continued into the 2018 questionnaire, according to Ethisphere.
In 2018, 135 companies are being honored from 23 countries and 57 industries. Among the list are 12 12-time honorees and 15 first-time honorees.
Companies are asked to fill out a questionnaire to measure their Ethics Quotient. The main evaluation categories are Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility; Ethics and Compliance Program; Corporate Governance; Leadership, Innovation and Reputation; and Culture of Ethics. Each category is evaluated through a combination of answers to the EQ questionnaire, submitted supplemental documentation, and where necessary, independent research and follow up with each candidate.
The EQ questionnaire is jointly developed by Ethisphere's internal team of legal and compliance professionals and its Methodology Advisory Panel. Advisory panel members include experts from the fields of law, corporate reputation, corporate ethics, governance, anti-corruption and government. According to Ethisphere, the questionnaire is reviewed regularly to ensure that it aligns with the ever-changing expectations of employees, managers, shareholders, regulators and the public at large. For example, in 2015, the questionnaire was significantly revised across each assessment category, and in 2016 several additions were made in the areas of data privacy, cyber security and assessing an organization’s ethical culture. Last year there was an increased focus on diversity at the board and executive levels, compliance and ethics program structure (based on recent guidance from regulators) and how companies are evaluating their compliance and ethics programs. Improvements continued into the 2018 questionnaire, according to Ethisphere.