Intertek

Welcome to Intertek. We offer innovative solutions that encompass every aspect of life; through Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification (ATIC) services to our customers around the world.

We go beyond Testing, Inspection and Certification of products: we are a Total Quality Assurance Provider to industries worldwide.

Although our history goes back over 130 years, we're continually innovating and evolving to reduce risk for consumers, brands and organisations in every sector around the world.

With over 40,000 employees in over 1,000 locations in 100 countries, our network of science-based, highly technically skilled individuals and teams enable global and local businesses to overcome the complex quality, safety and sustainability challenges they face, every day.

Our History

For over 130 years, Intertek has been a pioneer, always leading the industry when it comes to innovation. In 1885 we began testing and certifying grain cargoes before they were put to sea. And in 1896 Thomas Edison became part of our story.

The quality, safety and sustainability pioneers

Following his invention of the light bulb, Edison established the Lamp Testing Bureau, later to become the Electrical Testing Laboratories.

Over a century later, we maintain his ETL mark of quality, and continue to ensure our clients meet regulatory standards to protect consumers and brand reputations across the world.

Compliance and Corporate Governance

A primary objective of Intertek is the adherence to local, national and international laws, with all of our employees being required to show integrity and honesty in all their dealings.

A primary objective of Intertek is the adherence to local, national and international laws, with all of our employees being required to show integrity and honesty in all their dealings. Risk management and internal controls are embedded throughout Intertek, validating the reports and certificates that we provide to customers.

The Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) Council issues a Compliance Code which defines the standards of conduct and integrity with which members must comply. Intertek operates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding breaches of ethics. All employees are required to sign an agreement, confirming their understanding that any breaches of our Code of Ethics will result in disciplinary action that may include summary dismissal.

We are committed to maintaining a culture where issues of integrity and professional ethics can be raised and discussed openly. This is why we provide an online Hotline for all employees, contractors and others representing Intertek.

This enables the confidential reporting of suspected misconduct or breaches of the Code, or any of our policies (including our Labour and Human Rights Policy and Modern Slavery Policy).

They can also call the Hotline, where calls are answered 24/7 in English by trained specialists. Interpreters are also available. Independently owned and operated by Convercent, reported concerns are kept secure and confidential.

All complaints are investigated thoroughly with action taken as appropriate.

What are our compliance goals?

• To avoid conflicts of interest and to act openly, responsibly and within the confines of the law and internationally accepted guidelines.
• To implement current 'best practice' policies in all control procedures.
• To maintain a culture in which all employees know what is expected of them.
• To monitor adherence to organisational controls and reporting procedures.

Who is responsible?

The Intertek Group General Counsel heads the Group's Compliance team and reports to the Group CEO.

Our corporate governance

Intertek is committed to high standards of corporate governance, business integrity and professionalism in all its activities. The Board is responsible for the proper management of the Company and is also accountable to the Company's shareholders for ensuring that principles of good governance are applied.

The Board comprises a balance of Executive and Non-Executive Directors who bring a wide range of skills and experience to its deliberations. The Non-Executive Directors fulfil a vital role in corporate accountability and bring independent judgment to issues of strategy, performance, resources and standards of conduct.

The Board has established an Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, and Remuneration Committee (please click on the name of the Committee to see the Terms of Reference for that Committee) in accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Please click on this link to access the Board Approval Matrix.

Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code

For the financial year up to 31 December 2023, the Board is required to report on the operations of the Company by reference to the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (‘the Code’), which sets out standards of good practice in relation to board leadership and effectiveness, remuneration, accountability and relations with shareholders. A copy of the Code is available from the UK Financial Reporting Council at www.frc.org.uk. The Code applies to accounting periods on or after 1 January 2019.

Intertek Group Annual Report and Accounts 2023 Corporate Governance Compliance Status (427 KB PDF)

Intertek UK Pension Scheme (Scheme) defined benefits only – Statement of Investment Principles (SIP)

The Trustees of the Scheme are responsible for the Investment of the Scheme Assets and under statutory legislation they have to produce a Statement of Investment Principles detailing their objectives and the parameters they work within which is made available on a website. Please click here for a copy of the SIP.

The Implementation Statement

The Implementation Statement (‘the Statement’) provides information on how, and the extent to which, the policies of the Scheme’s Trustee in relation to the exercising of rights (including voting rights), attached to the Scheme’s investments, and engagement activities have been followed during the year ended 31 March 2024. Please click here for a copy of the Statement.

Our internal controls and audits

The Board is ultimately responsible for establishing and maintaining the Group's system of internal controls, and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a system can realistically only manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can only provide reasonable assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Board confirms that, in addition to internal compliance and quality audits, there is an on-going process for identifying, evaluating and managing any significant risks to the Group's short and long-term value, including those arising from social, environmental and ethical matters. The Audit Committee reviews the effectiveness of the system of internal control during the year. In particular, it reviews and continues to seek to improve the process for identifying and evaluating the significant risks affecting the business and the policies and procedures by which these risks are managed. This is reinforced by the Intertek Code of Ethics, which provides practical guidance and instruction for staff.

Assessing and managing our risks

The Board has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. This work is complemented by the Group Risk Committee, whose purpose is to manage, assess and promote the continuous improvement of the Group’s risk management, controls and assurance systems.

To read more about Intertek’s integrated risk management framework see our 2023 Annual Report and Accounts.

Russia

The Group provides ATIC solutions to more than 400,000 customers across multiple business lines in more than 100 countries. We are committed to supporting our global clients in every country where we can operate. Providing our independent assurance of the quality, safety and sustainability of products is mission critical for the world supply chains to operate safely. We maintain a small presence in Russia to support our global customers, and we continue to assess and monitor both developments in the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the related sanctions programmes.

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