Code of Ethics

Introduction.

Code of EthicsEPM, as a service providing public entity, has established social responsibility as the central focus that guides its actions as a constituent part of its growth strategy and focus on sustainability. In its process of development as a group, EPM is called upon to establish a bridge between the organization and society, focusing on the responsibilities and actions of its human resources.

To do so, the Organization asks itself three questions: What ethical level is EPM currently at? What level of ethical development do we aspire to? How can we achieve a more inclusive ethical development over time?
The answer to each of these questions is based on observing the organizational thought structures that govern the actions of our officers.

These thought structures aren’t static; on the contrary, they take on new forms when the people understand the reason for the existence of our business group and they incorporate the behaviors that enable the strategies; these thought structures then, are not tied solely to the work practices, but also to the level of organizational involvement that is expressed through ethical commitments.

The commitments that each of us as individuals undertake as employees, towards our company, towards our coworkers and towards our community, arise from the values that underlie the organization and that are embodied in our daily work. Each value is embodied and comes alive through our relationships and actions.

Ethical conducts or behaviors aren’t mere actions; on the contrary, they are the result of work ranging from the individual to the collective, they are also the convergence of the skills and qualities that make our officers valuable, with the help of organizational values that enable the integration of business ethics.



As employees of EPM, we are part of a recognized or recognizable group of members of a larger social group to which we belong and which we acknowledge acts as a delimiter for our role and actions.

Therefore, we do not see our role and actions as arbitrary or isolated activities, but as driven by the need for legitimacy within that larger group which we identify, in the first instance, with the city and secondly, with the region and country.

We understand ethics as the framework within which all actions are validated, both individual and collective ones, within a society, based on their consideration as being appropriate or desirable for the sustainability of the group and the achievement of general and specific objectives.

As a result of this, we recognize the competency of each member of the group to judge their own and other people’s actions based on the elements provided by this framework, but also, the responsibility each of us has for the judgments we make.

This translates into an obligation for each individual to justify the content of their judgments and take responsibility for them and their consequences.

Because of this, the EPM Code of Ethics, rather than a set of rules or orders that determine what and how something should be done, is a scenario in which the members of the group have the opportunity and responsibility to verify the validity of the actions, both the individual ones and group ones, as well as their own and those of others, based mainly on a self-description containing the following principles and criteria.

Within the framework we have prepared, our Code of Ethics is based on the following principles:

  • Identity
    We identify ourselves as a defined group of people, distinguished by the company’s name, but mainly by the company’s objectives that we are committed to, and the duty, role and values it has undertaken and declared within society.
  • Belonging
    As a company and as employees thereof, we feel included within the social body defined by the city, the region and the country, and we undertake the responsibility of fulfilling the role they expect from their different members.
  • Rationality
    We understand that both the role society expects of us, and the way we judge and will be judged by our actions, will be determined by the basic rules of reason, and built within a framework of open and symmetrical dialogue.
  • Respect
    We accept that, as a group and as individuals, our actions will be judged, and we accept the responsibility required within a framework of respect, which we promise to comply with as regards each member of society and our group.
  • Solidarity
    We believe that the reason for the existence of society is the possibility for each of its members to have access to conditions, both material and of any other nature, that allow them to seek the fulfillment of their objectives counting on the support, respect, protection and guidance of the other members of the group.

To the extent that the development of ethics within the company entails making judgments through which the validity and legitimacy of individual and collective actions will be verified, in light of the aforementioned concept and principles, the criteria proposed below will be used as a non-exclusive or excluding basis for preparing them:

  • Primacy of the values
    The values expressly stated by the company delimit the manner and content of its actions and will be used to judge the suitability of each specific action within the company’s ethical values.

  • Validity of the standards
    Those actions whose timing, method, content or any other determining aspect, are governed by applicable legal standards, either external or internal, will be carried out in strict compliance therewith.

  • Company objectives and goals
    The management and administrative decisions, the issued policies, the business strategies and the strategic, tactical or operational objectives will be the criteria that will be initially applied, notwithstanding the above, to determine the appropriateness of an action.

  • Benefit and convenience
    Any action that meets an assessment of the above criteria will then be considered based on the way it benefits first of all the group, and second of all, the particular individuals, and on the convenience for one and the other.

  • Inviolability of the individual
    No action will be performed if its recognizable effect, either directly or indirectly, is a physical injury or the loss of a person’s life, even if its assessment apparently meets the consideration or application of the above criteria.

Because I’m part of EPM… I display these traits:


  • Transparency
    I’m transparent, I act to create an environment of trust and confidence between the Company and its stakeholders, providing them with timely, relevant and quality information. I understand the public nature of my work and I care for the public goods for which I am responsible.
  • Responsibility
    I’m responsible, I anticipate and assume the consequences that my actions and decisions may have on others, as well as on the environment and the surroundings.
  • Innovation
    I’m creative, I share and promote new ways of thinking and doing things to anticipate and achieve the desired changes.
  • Commitment
    I’m committed because I identify with the company’s aims and purposes, I put my best effort into what I do and I go beyond my duties.
  • Warmth
    I’m warm, I respect differences, I care about others and try to understand their circumstances to help them find solutions, without arrogance and always with respect and kindness.
  • Reliability
    I’m competent, I work with quality and efficiency parameters to generate trust. I keep the promises I make and answer the requirements and needs of others.