Given the nature of our oil, gas and chemicals activities, we are exposed to the risk of bribery and corruption, which is heightened by weak governance in certain countries, the substantial amounts invested and intense competition to win new projects. To combat these risks, we take part in international discussions and deploy internal rules and procedures.

The Code of Conduct deployed across and adapted to our activities is very clear: “Total rejects bribery and corruption in all forms, whether public or private, active or passive (...). In particular, Total will not resort to bribery or corruption ‘in order to obtain or retain business or other improper advantage in the conduct of international business,’ as outlined in the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.”

Educating employees

In addition to clearly spelling out our stance in the corporate Code of Conduct, we provide dedicated training to employees in positions of responsibility or potentially more exposed, including purchasing agents and legal officers. In 2006, our information campaign was stepped up with the rolling out of our Ethics intranet site, which deals in part with preventing and combating bribery and corruption.

Prevention and control

Our anti-corruption policy is also implemented via control and prevention mechanisms. With respect to external partners, we are inserting appropriate clauses in international contracts and requesting information on ethical principles and processes in tenders. Internally, 25% of the ethics assessment evidence points directly address integrity issues and corrective action is taken, if necessary.

Sharing internationally

We help to combat bribery and corruption by taking part in international discussions and initiatives. For instance, we are involved in The Global Compact Working Group on the Tenth Principle, which focuses on companies' efforts to fight corruption, and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), to share best practices and promote discussion between business and civil society.

In 2006, we took part in the Forum on Civil Society and Private Sector held concurrently with the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Read civil society and private sector declarations