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ICC Rules of Conduct : Business : Introduction
PART II - Rules of Conduct
to Combat Extortion and Bribery : Introduction
These Rules of Conduct are intended as a method of
self-regulation by international business, and they should also be supported
by governments. Their voluntary acceptance by business enterprises will
not only promote high standards of integrity in business transactions,
whether between enterprises and public bodies or between enterprises themselves,
but will also form a valuable defensive protection to those enterprises
which are subjected to attempts at extortion.
These Rules of Conduct are of a general nature constituting
what is considered good commercial practice in the matters to which they
relate but are without direct legal effect. They do not derogate from
applicable local laws, and since national legal systems are by no means
uniform, they must be read mutatis mutandis subject to such systems. The
business community objects to all forms of extortion and bribery. It is
recognized, however, that under current conditions in some parts of the
world, an effective programme against extortion and bribery may have to
be implemented in stages.
The highest priority should be directed to ending large-scale
extortion and bribery involving politicians and senior officials. These
represent the greatest threat to democratic institutions and cause the
gravest economic distortions. Small payments to low-level officials to
expedite routine approvals are not condoned. However, they represent a
lesser problem. When extortion and bribery at the top levels is curbed,
government leaders can be expected to take steps to clean up petty corruption.
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