Acting with integrity

Sonova’s medical devices are regulated globally by government agencies, healthcare authorities, and other regulatory bodies who verify that we are complying with applicable health and safety regulations throughout our products’ life cycle. We work to maintain transparent, constructive, and professional relationships with all applicable regulatory authorities on matters of policy, product submission, compliance, and product performance. The requirements we meet include design controls, marketing approvals, good manufacturing practices, vigilance systems, clinical studies, and other relevant product regulations, standards, and normative documents specified by these agencies.

The quality and reliability of our products are essential to meeting the expectations of our consumers. They are integrated into our product development, production, and distribution processes, and we strive for continuous improvements. Quality monitoring is embedded across all our businesses: in research, product design, and production. We closely monitor our markets and use design for reliability (DFR) principles in our development processes to ensure that product quality is built in from the design to the manufacturing phase. 

At Sonova, sustainable supply chain encompasses a broad range of topics: material traceability, responsible sourcing, and environmental and social impacts across the value chain. We are aware that our sourcing and manufacturing could negatively impact society and the environment. We also recognize that the biggest potential for negative impact lies outside our operations, in our supply chain.

Our suppliers are mainly high-tech design and component makers, or original equipment manufacturers with a high degree of automation. Sonova’s relations with suppliers are guided by the Sonova Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC). The SCoC, the Sonova Code of Conduct, and the General Conditions of Purchase are the foundation for all supplier agreements.

Sonova’s Code of Conduct defines general principles for ethical behavior; it applies to all employees of the Sonova Group, all its subsidiaries, and any contractors or vendors while they are performing work for the Sonova Group.

Sonova is committed to high standards of integrity in dealing with its business partners and to compliance with all applicable anti-bribery laws, including the Swiss Criminal Code, the UK Bribery Act, and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Sonova’s Global Competition Law Policy describes the basic principles of fair competition in doing business. All Sonova employees worldwide must comply with the principles it sets out. 

Sonova strongly encourages every employee, contractor or other stakeholder who knows of or 

suspects a violation of applicable laws, regulations, the Code of Conduct, or related internal policies and procedures to report it through the SpeakUp reporting platform. Please go to our external SpeakUp platform to report a complaint directly, or to find the phone numbers if you want to speak with one of the (external) agents directly

Please go to our external SpeakUp platform to report a complaint directly, or to find the phone numbers if you want to speak with one of the (external) agents directly.

Sonova protects the confidentiality and integrity of the data it holds, including the data of employees, customers, patients, and business partners using technical and organizational means. We adhere to applicable data protection laws and regulations. We closely monitor developments in data protection law and incorporate its principles into our business processes and product design. We continue evolving our data protection program to meet the changing demands of the digital environment.

At Sonova, protecting our information assets is a priority. We are committed to securing digital and non-digital files, records, and information to prevent unauthorized access, modification, and loss. Sonova’s Global Privacy Office is responsible for implementing and monitoring the Sonova Data Protection program and provides training and guidance to our business functions and employees. 

A Digital Ethics Committee is tasked with the establishment and supervision of a compliance regime for digital ethics matters. It works to establish AI ethics oversight measures, frameworks, and governance structures to ensure the responsible integration of digital technologies. 

Sonova strictly adheres to ethical marketing practices in all our businesses and takes active steps to prevent inappropriate practices or false claims. We ensure that our advertising, packaging, and promotional materials provide accurate, balanced, and non-misleading information. This commitment is laid out in our Group Code of Conduct and further refined in policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures, e.g. on claims management.

Sonova respects and supports human rights. This commitment extends throughout our worldwide operations and along our entire value chain. It is reflected in our Code of Conduct and Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC) and embedded in our company culture. We developed the Sonova Human Rights Policy, a global policy providing a framework for our human rights due diligence.

Sonova is formally committed to maintaining high standards of business ethics and integrity in accordance with the law, as well as recognizes human rights and labor standards as outlined in international human rights frameworks.

 

Sonova signed the UN Global Compact in 2016, endorsing its ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. All employees of the Sonova Group, as well as its business partners, are expected to comply with the Compact’s principles.

As a general rule, Sonova does not allow donations to political parties. This principle is stipulated in our Global Anti-Bribery Policy.

Sonova actively participates in associations and external initiatives to share its specialist knowledge and to ensure highest quality standards for hearing instruments and cochlear implants.