Integrated Process Management Policy
Integrated Management System (IMS) Policy of SQM Iodine and Plant Nutrition Division
At SQM Iodine and Plant Nutrition Division, we are deeply committed to implementing an Integrated Management System (IMS) that rigorously complies with international standards ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, 55001, and Responsible Care. This system reflects our firm commitment to quality, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, energy efficiency, and the integrity of electrical installations.
Our IMS policy is based on principles of continuous improvement, innovation, and social responsibility, ensuring that every process and activity within our organization not only meets customer expectations but also contributes to sustainable development and the well-being of the communities in which we operate. Through the adoption of sustainable practices and the promotion of a culture of safety and efficiency, we strive to minimize our environmental impact, optimize resource use, and ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all our employees.
Additionally, we are committed to maintaining open and transparent communication with all our stakeholders, fostering collaboration and mutual commitment toward operational excellence and sustainability. This comprehensive approach enables us not only to achieve the highest levels of performance and responsibility but also to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for present and future generations.
We encourage you to learn more about our Integrated Process Management Policy.
Integrated Process Management Policy
Ethics and Corporate Governance
Ethics and Corporate Governance
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we are committed to conduct business in an ethical and transparent manner, following high standards of integrity that must prevail also during our operation. This commitment applies equally to everyone in our company, including the Board of Directors and all employees, with no exceptions.
Consequently, we commit ourselves to::
- We encourage a culture of integrity and corporate ethics to carry out our daily work with high standards as described in our Code of Ethics.
- We encourage respect for and compliance with every commitment made to customers, employees, regulators, communities, suppliers, authorities and shareholders.
- We comply with the law, and therefore, we keep our basic commitments made by us, as well as anyone working on behalf of SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition.
- We have zero tolerance for any type of corrupt activity committed by anyone working on behalf of SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition.
- We keep instances, guidelines and corporate practices that leads the path toward decision-making and information delivery processes within a framework of transparency, adequate risk management and control, contributing to the sustainable creation of value.
- We ensure that our processes and supply chain are free of minerals from conflicted zones, and that we will not finance or benefit, directly or indirectly, any armed groups in countries located within conflicted zones, in accordance with applicable regulations dictated by OECD guidelines.
- We implement and enforce procedures in accordance with applicable legislations, which are necessary to prevent and fight money laundering, as well as financing terrorism.
Integrity / Code of Ethics
Integrity / Code of Ethics
We have developed the Ethics and Compliance Program, which includes a set of processes, policies and procedures focused on communication and awareness, risk identification, implementation and monitoring of prevention measures. In addition, we have generated support channels, irregularities whistleblowing methods and others in favor of the proper functioning of SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition. These measures were designed with the help of the following guidelines:
- Anti-Corruption
- Free Competition
- Intellectual property rights
- Conflict of Interest
- Money Laundering
- Anonymous, confidential and nonretaliatory whistleblower channels.
- Standardized and confidential investigation procedures
- Data protection
- Security and information storage
- Fraud prevention
Corporate Governance and Finance
Corporate Governance and Finance
AT SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, we have implemented a Corporate Governance Policy that regulates how our Board of Directors carries out its duties to safeguard the interests of the company and its shareholders. It also determines the nature and scope of the financial risks of the company’s projects. The following are the permanent committees within our Board of Directors:
- 1.B.iDirectors / Audit and Financial Risk Committee
- 1.B.iiSafety, Health and Environment Committee
- 1.B.iii Corporate Governance Committee
Employees
Employees
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we value meritocracy, and favor equal opportunities, diversity inclusion, non-discrimination and respect for human rights, and individual and collective labor rights of our workers. We are committed to comply the following commitments:
- We absolutely reject all forms of child labor, forced upon or other kind that signifies modern slavery. In addition, we enforce this principle throughout our chain of supplies.
- We respect the right to freedom and the right of association of our workers, focusing on building spaces designated to stablish a transparent and informed dialogue that allows us to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
- We encourage an affirmative corporate culture for diversity, inclusion, non-discrimination, respectful treatment and equal opportunity. We reject violence, sexual harassment and all forms of workplace harassment and bullying.
- In order to develop the true potential of our workers, we encourage merit and enhance their self-improvement.
- We make an effort to generate safe and healthy working conditions, focused on protecting the dignity of our workers, as well as encouraging a culture of occupational safety through permanent dissemination of guidelines, safety education courses and respect when it comes to comply with regulations that are design to ensure the care or/and protection of our workers.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Our goal is to provide our talents with opportunities and conditions necessary for them to develop and contribute within a cordial, equal and respectful environment. In order for this to continue, we have defined the following guidelines of development:
- 2.A.i We ensure non-discrimination salary. We hire, encourage and make employment decisions based on objective criteria, related to the person’s aptitude in accordance to the position they are applying for.
- 2.A.iiWe carry out blind recruitment by evaluating applicants according to their competencies and met requirements for the position, without any kind of discrimination.
- 2.A.iiiWe develop activities and/or programs aimed at target audiences that require improvement or previous preparation.
Labor Rights
Labor Rights
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we must ensure the compliance of all applicable laws in each jurisdiction where we are currently carrying out our operations, regarding working conditions, wages, working hours, job security, fair payment, right of association, prohibition of child labor and forced labor, among other laws. This approach is articulated on the following guidelines:
- 2.B.iDevelopment of Internal Regulations, which must be acknowledged by all our workers and employees, as well as regulate obligations and prohibitions to which SQM personnel must subject in regards to their work, stay arrangements and everyday life inside the company’s facilities.
Prevention of all forms of harassment
Prevention of all forms of harassment
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we respect the dignity of each person, therefore we are committed to prevent and fight any form of harassment and bullying in the workplace, as established in the internal regulation code, which must be followed by all company employees. We are permanently working in the following areas in order to ensure that our employees comply with said regulations:
- 2.C.iExistence and operation of an anonymous, confidential and non-retaliatory whistleblower channel. This channel is available for all employees and managed by an independent company, which specializes in whistleblowing.
- 2.C.iiDevelopment of a standardized and confidential investigation procedure.
- 2.C.iiiDevelopment of awareness, and education plans and programs within the company, in order to prevent and eradicate any act of harassment or bullying culture.
Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health and Safety
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we are convinced that a better workplace also has to be a safer and healthier environment, and therefore our goal is to achieve zero accident rates in our operations. We have established an operational risk prevention and occupational health management system, which is applicable to the entire company, as well as to all of our contractors.
SQM’s efforts are focused on the following areas of work:
- 2.D.iOperational risk prevention and occupational health management system based on international standards.
- 2.D.iiContinuous training for all our personnel so that they can perform their tasks safely.
- 2.D.iii Implementation of risk prevention and occupational health standards for all our contractors, with the same characteristics as the standards for our own employees.
- 2.D.ivFurtherance and control in our operations and facilities to ensure an alcohol and drugs free environment.
- 2.D.vEncouraging a healthy lifestyle for our employees and our contractors’ employees.
Opportunities, development and satisfaction:
Opportunities, development and satisfaction:
Our success is based on the immense human capital of the people who are part of our company, which they have been able to develop throughout their work performance in the company. We have a duty to challenge and generate necessary opportunities and instances of growth, so that each worker can develop his or her capabilities and potential for further mutual benefits. The following are our guidelines focused on human capital success:
- 2.E.i)Creation of competitions and opportunities for internal mobility.
- 2.E.ii)Training our employees to improve their skills in regards to job positions.
- 2.E.iii)Continuous performance evaluation of our employees and workers, in regards of plans implementation allowing continuous improvements in their work performance.
- 2.E.iv)Implementation of a recognition system to encourage SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition values within work teams.
- 2.E.v)Monitoring through surveying work teams to determine strengths and opportunities for improvement, establishing an action plan for this purpose.
Value Chain
Value Chain
We are responsible for delivering quality products that strictly comply with committed standards and applicable regulations, as well as providing timely attention and service to our consumers and customers, through a rigorous Quality Management System. We are committed to:
- Encourage responsible and sustainable sourcing.
- To Comply with and encourage respect for human rights, including labor rights for our supply chain workers, consultants, contractors, distributors, independent contractors, subcontractors and wholesalers.
- To deliver quality products to our customers, which strictly comply with our highest standards and applicable safety regulations, as previously committed.
Suppliers
Suppliers
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we extend our commitment to sustainability and good working practices to our suppliers, so we can continue being good allies and achieve our goals together. We continuously evaluate and monitor our allies, in order to comply with our regulations, as established in the Company’s Code of Ethics and Sustainability.
The main lines of work in this approach are:
- 3.A.iResponsible sourcing policy.
- 3.A.iiDisclosure of said policy to the supply chain.
- 3.A.iiiEvaluation of our suppliers incorporating sustainability criteria, along with tools to support the understanding of these criteria for those who might require it.
- 3.A.ivEncouraging participation and development of local suppliers.
Costumer
Costumer
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we keep constant communications with our customers, ensuring transparency and collaboration, with the purpose of responsibly securing supply sources of our products. Additionally, we firmly believe that the development of our products is fundamental for human progress. Therefore, we continue to develop environmentally friendly products and keep the focus on reducing our carbon footprint.
The main lines of work for this approach are:
- 3.B.i To ensure quality in all our processes and products and/or services through adequate risk management and analysis.
- 3.B.iiTo have a channel available and with easy access to receive complaints, queries and requirements.
- 3.B.iii - Generate permanent updated information for customer use regarding sustainability of our products and their potential effects on health and safety.
- 3.B.ivGenerate customer satisfaction indexes that incorporate high representativeness.
- 3.B.v - Maintain continuous relationship mechanisms with our customers in order to understand and meet their needs, as well as those of other customers in the supply chain of our products.
- B.vi- Develop R&D programs that respond accordingly to the needs of our customers.
Environment and Sustainable Development
Environment and Sustainable Development
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we are committed to sustainable development processes, therefore we comply with the current environmental regulations in each of the countries where our company is located. We evaluate the possible impact events of our processes on the environment and we encourage to manage natural resources in a responsible manner.
Our commitments in this regard are:
- To comply with current environmental regulations and observe the best practices related to applicable international standards.
- To evaluate the impact events of our operations in the environment and nearby human communities in advance.
- To develop and implement appropriate prevention, mitigation and repair measures to reduce the effects associated with our operational processes.
- To boost development and implementation of technical advances and best practices that allow for sustainable development.
- To encourage the involvement of local communities in the environmental management of our investment projects, starting at the design all the way through implementation stages and the corresponding follow-up of the associated commitment.
- To continuously improve our environmental management system based on international standards.
- To adequately prepare our personnel, protocols and technology to respond accordingly to eventual environmental emergencies.
Water Management
Water Management
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition the responsible use of water is a very relevant aspect in our production process, given the scarcity of this natural resource in some areas where our plants are located. We have duly authorized water use rights for our operations, so we comply with all the associated requirements and commitments. Likewise, we permanently watch over the efficiency of our own water use management, and the correct water management on the ecosystem of origin, always favoring recirculation and optimization in the processes.
Our main lines of work in this regard are:
- 4.A.iQuantification and reporting of fresh water use according to operation and product.
- 4.A.iiCare and optimization of water use resources, implementing the industry’s best practices.
- 4.A.iiiIdentifying possible effects on the nearby ecosystems due to use of inland water from our operations.
- 4.A.iv Monitoring and implementing measures to ensure that water use in our operations does not generate adverse effects on the ecosystems and nearby communities.
Climate Change
Climate Change
: At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we have also developed strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by our operations, as established in our Sustainability Plan. The main lines of work on the climate change approach are:
- 4.B.iMitigation through the quantification of our GHG emissions according to international methodologies, as well as being periodically verified, in search of internal management in each of our production sites, in order to meet reduction goals established in our sustainability strategy. Our management guidelines include the identification, evaluation and implementation of opportunities in favor of reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions, in addition to carrying out periodic follow-ups.
- 4.B.iiAdapting our operations, production and logistic processes accordingly to specific needs and risks existing in each project, incorporating climate change within the parameters present in their periodic evaluations, with the purpose of identifying, evaluate and successfully manage possible impact events that the ever-growing effects of climate change might bring.
Emissions and Waste
Emissions and Waste
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we aim at an adequate management of environmental emissions and waste (air, soil and water), minimizing their production as much as possible. We encourage water reuse, strengthen the recycling culture and also circular economy.
The main lines of work for this approach are:
- 4.C.iProduction of waste management under the criteria of quantification, characterization, treatment and reduction of emissions, according to current environmental regulations.
- 4.C.iiQuantification, segregation, reuse and recycling of solid waste, with a focus on minimizing its impact and favoring a circular economy.
- 4.C.iiiContinuous search for alternatives to minimize emissions and waste production.
Identification of Aspects and Impact Assessment
Identification of Aspects and Impact Assessment
: At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we minimize the footprint of our operations in the localities where we are present. We identify those aspects of environmental relevance in each project we lead, and evaluate their potential impacts, which requires a high level of knowledge in terms of ecosystem functionality of the area of influence, where our projects are being developed. In order to enhance this approach, we have planned the following lines of work:
- 4.D.i Early identification of all environmental aspects at each of our sites, and periodic reevaluation of said aspects.
- 4.D.iiRigorous evaluation of potential impacts and their significance, and establishment of adequate control protocols for impact reduction.
Communities
Communities
Our projects seek to generate shared social values with communities in the nearby areas where they are being developed. In addition, at SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we promote sustainable local development and respect for communal autonomy through a permanent process of participation and dialogue. We commit to the following guidelines:
- To encourage citizen participation, in accordance to current regulations, and to provide transparent and timely information regarding our projects, as well as periodically report on environmental issues.
- To encourage citizen participation of indigenous relevance and with prior consultation, which will be free, informed and in good faith in regards to communities that might potentially be affected by our projects, in accordance to current legislation.
- To respect the authority and traditional values of the communities where we operate.
- To encourage and support sustainable economic development of communities and the generation of shared value projects between our operations and the nearby communities around us.
- To implement communication channels that will allow a permanent dialogue with the community, as well as develop effective due diligence in human rights mechanisms.
Indigenous Communities
Indigenous Communities
Our policy is also based on promoting best practices regarding indigenous peoples and the mining industry. We aspire for our project to achieve environmental and social sustainability, encourage a boost and development of communities and other human groups belonging to indigenous peoples present in their area of influence, with an absolute respect toward their rights, culture and territories, endorsing the definition of indigenous peoples in the aforementioned Convention No. 169.
The following are our lines of work in this regard:
- 5.A.iInformed participation, with transparency and cultural relevance.
- 5.A.iiIEncourage development of indigenous communities.
Citizenship and Local Development
Citizenship and Local Development
: At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, management and good community relations are adjusted to the needs and specificities of each territory, in order to create positive changes in the lives of the people around us. We implemented the Territorial Shared Social Value Program, focusing on best practices in terms of human rights, environment, labor and production chain, among others.
We seek to establish public-private and private-private collaboration channels, as a way to strengthen initiatives. As well as encouraging workers to participate as community agents in many other initiatives.
Lines of work:
- 5.B.i Education: Supporting improvements in the quality of pre-school and school education, as a means of providing long-term sustainability to the community’s quality of life.
- 5.B.iiSocial and Productive Development: Encouraging initiatives that give a boost in autonomous income, inclusion and associativity.
- 5.B.iiiHeritage and Culture: Support and implementation of cultural initiatives for the benefit of the community, as well as initiatives to value and rescue tangibles and intangibles of the community’s cultural heritage.
- 5.B.ivSports and Healthy Lifestyle: To develop initiatives in order to encourage sports and wellness, in addition to include people with disabilities and support health programs for the community.