Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Introduction
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") applies to Key Technology, Inc.
and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company").
Key Technology expects its employees and officers ("employees") and members of its
Board of Directors ("directors") to conduct the Companys business with honesty,
integrity, and in compliance with all applicable laws in a manner that excludes
considerations of personal advantage or gain.
Each employee and director is expected to read this Code and demonstrate personal
commitment to the standards set forth in this Code. This Code is designed to deter
wrongdoing and promote:
honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent
conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
prompt internal reporting to an appropriate person of violations of this Code; and
accountability for adherence to this Code.
This Code is not intended to be a detailed guide for all situations. Employees and
directors are also expected to comply with the Key Technology Employee Handbook,
Company Policies, Company Procedures & Standards, and other workplace rules, as
applicable, all of which supplement this Code.
Responsibilities
2. Insider Trading
The Company has established Policy 3-46, Trading of Key Technology, Inc.
Securities, by which all employees and directors must abide. If an employee or
director is in possession of material, non-public information they may not buy or
sell shares of the Company. They also are prohibited from passing on such
1
information to others who might make an investment decision based that
information.
In addition, employees and directors may not trade in stocks of other companies
about which they learn material, non-public information through the course of
their employment or service with Key Technology. Any questions as to whether
information is material or has been adequately disclosed should be directed to
the Company's Corporate Communications Manager.
3. Conflicts of interest
Transactions or relationships that constitute a conflict of interest are prohibited as
a matter of corporate policy, unless specifically approved in the manner
described below. A conflict of interest occurs when an individuals personal
interest interferes with the interests of Key Technology, or when such interest
could reasonably be viewed as interfering with the interests of Key Technology.
Conflicts of interest can arise when an employee or director takes action or has
interests that make it difficult to make objective decisions on behalf of the
Company or to perform his or her duties objectively and effectively. Conflicts of
interest can also arise when an employee or director, or a member of his or her
immediate family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her
position in the Company.
Conflicts of interest that may arise should be brought to the attention of the
Company's Chief Financial Officer, or his designee, who will refer the matter for
review by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of
the Board of Directors (the "Committee") or the entire Committee, as appropriate.
The Chair of the Committee is authorized to review and approve potential conflict
of interest transactions between the Company and its employees that arise
during the ordinary and normal course of the Company's business and which
involve less than $20,000. Other transactions, of $20,000 or more, between the
Company and its employees, must be submitted to, and approved or ratified by
the entire Committee. Any transaction greater than $10,000, individually or in the
aggregate, between the Company and its directors or officers, must be submitted
to, and approved or ratified by, the entire Committee in accordance with the
Companys Policy and Procedures Governing Related Party Transactions.
Transactions that are pre-approved under the Company's Policy and Procedures
Governing Related Party Transactions are also pre-approved for purposes of this
Conflicts of Interest section of the Code.
Employees and directors, and their immediate family members cannot accept
material gifts or favors that could create the appearance that their business
judgment could be affected by the receipt of such gifts or favors. Employees and
directors, and their immediate family members can accept gifts of nominal value
from firms or companies with whom the Company does or might do business.
4. Corporate Opportunities
Employees and directors are prohibited from taking, or directing a third party to
take, a business opportunity that is discovered through the use of Company
property, information or position. Employees and directors cannot use Company
property, information or position for personal gain, and cannot directly or
indirectly compete with the Company. Employees and directors owe a duty to
the Company to advance the Company's legitimate interests when the
opportunity to do so arises.
5. Confidentiality
In carrying out the Companys business, employees and directors often learn
confidential or proprietary information about the Company, its customers,
suppliers, or joint venture parties. Employees and directors must maintain the
confidentiality of all information entrusted to them, except when disclosure is
authorized by the Board or an executive officer of the Company or required by
applicable laws or regulations. Confidential or proprietary information includes all
non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the
Company or its customers, if disclosed. The obligation to protect confidential
information does not cease when an employee or director leaves the Company.
6. Fair Dealing
Key Technology conducts business with integrity and in an ethical manner. Each
employee and director is expected to deal fairly with our customers, suppliers,
competitors, and employees. No employee or director shall take unfair
advantage of any other person through manipulation, concealment, abuse of
privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair
practice. The knowing or deliberate falsification of any documents or data by an
employee or director may result in disciplinary action or termination, and potential
civil and/or criminal penalties.
3
7. Protection and Proper Use of the Company's Assets
All employees and directors have a duty to protect the Company's assets and
ensure the assets' efficient use. These assets include intellectual property such
as trademarks, patents, business and marketing plans, engineering projects and
designs, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Any
unauthorized use or distribution of this information is a violation of this Code.
In addition, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of
value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political
candidates in order to obtain or retain business. Illegal payments to government
officials of any country are strictly prohibited.
4
12. Reporting
Any evidence of improper conduct, violations of laws, rules, regulations or this
Code should be reported immediately. If an employee has information regarding
actual or suspected violations, he/she should first report that information using
Keys Open Door policy to his/her supervisor or another member of
management. Executive officers or members of the Companys Board of
Directors should discuss actual or suspected violations with the Board or an
appropriate committee of the Board.
The Ethicspoint service can be accessed in one of three ways: 1) via the Key
Technology Intranet; 2) by visiting www.ethicspoint.com from any Internet-
enabled computer; or 3) by calling the Ethicspoint toll-free hotline at 1-866-
ETHICSP (1-866-384-4277). It is also a violation of our policy for any employee
to communicate a report claiming illegal or unethical conduct which the employee
knows to be without foundation.
13. Investigations
Suspected violations are to be reported and reported violations will be promptly
investigated. The person reporting the violation should not conduct an
investigation on his or her own. Employees and directors are expected to
cooperate fully with any investigation made by the Company or any of its
representatives.
14. Accountability
Employees and directors who violate this Code may be subject to disciplinary
action, including termination of employment. Knowledge of a violation and failure
to promptly report or correct the violation may also subject an employee to
disciplinary action. Some violations of this Code are illegal and may subject the
person engaging in the improper activity to civil and criminal liability.