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CODE OF ETHICS
AND BUSINESS CONDUCT FOR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
OF NEWMARKET TECHNOLOGY, INC.
1. TREAT IN AN ETHICAL MANNER THOSE TO WHOM NEWMARKET TECHNOLOGY, INC. HAS AN OBLIGATION
The officers, directors and employees of NewMarket
Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) are committed to honesty,
just management, fairness, providing a safe and healthy
environment free from the fear of retribution, and
respecting the dignity due everyone. For the communities in
which we live and work we are committed to observe sound
environmental business practices and to act as concerned and
responsible neighbors, reflecting all aspects of good
citizenship.
For our shareholders we are committed to pursuing sound
growth and earnings objectives and to exercising prudence in
the use of our assets and resources.
For our suppliers and partners we are committed to fair
competition and the sense of responsibility required of a
good customer and teammate.
2. PROMOTE A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
All employees want and deserve a workplace where they
feel respected, satisfied, and appreciated. We respect
cultural diversity and will not tolerate harassment or
discrimination of any kind -- especially involving race,
color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability,
and veteran or marital status.
Providing an environment that supports honesty,
integrity, respect, trust, responsibility, and citizenship
permits us the opportunity to achieve excellence in our
workplace. While everyone who works for the Company must
contribute to the creation and maintenance of such an
environment, including our executives and management
personnel, which have a responsibility for fostering a work
environment that is free and open and will bring out the
best in all of us. Supervisors should not place subordinates
in a position that could cause them to deviate from
acceptable ethical behavior.
3. PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES, AND THE WORLD
WE LIVE IN
We are committed to providing a drug-free, safe and
healthy work environment, and to observing environmentally
sound business practices. We will strive, at a minimum, to
do no harm and where possible, to make the communities in
which we work a better place to live. Each of us is
responsible for compliance with environmental, health and
safety laws and regulations.
4. KEEP ACCURATE AND COMPLETE RECORDS
We will maintain accurate and complete Company records.
Transactions between the Company and outside individuals and
organizations will be accurately entered in our books in
accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and
principles. The Company will not tolerate anyone
misrepresenting facts or falsifying records. It will not be
tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.
5. OBEY THE LAW
We will conduct our business in accordance with all
applicable laws and regulations. Compliance with the law
does not comprise our entire ethical responsibility. Rather,
it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for
performance of our duties. In conducting business, we shall:
A. STRICTLY ADHERE TO ALL ANTITRUST LAWS
Officers, directors and employees must strictly adhere
to all antitrust laws where the Company is operating. Such
laws exist in the United States and in many other
countries where the Company may conduct business. These
laws prohibit practices in restraint of trade such as
price fixing and boycotting suppliers or customers. They
also bar pricing intended to run a competitor out of
business; disparaging, misrepresenting, or harassing a
competitor; stealing trade secrets; bribery; and
kickbacks.
B. STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ALL SECURITIES LAWS
In our role as a publicly owned company, we must always
be alert to and comply with the security laws and
regulations of the United States and other countries where
the Company engages in business.
I. DO NOT ENGAGE IN SPECULATIVE OR INSIDER TRADING
Federal law and Company policy prohibits officers,
directors and employees, directly or indirectly through
their families or others, from purchasing or selling
company stock while in the possession of material,
non-public information concerning the Company. This same
prohibition applies to trading in the stock of other
publicly held companies on the basis of material,
non-public information. To avoid even the appearance of
impropriety, Company policy also prohibits officers,
directors and employees from trading options on the open
market in Company stock under any circumstances.
Material, non-public information is any information
that could reasonably be expected to affect the price of a
stock. If an officer, director or employee is considering
buying or selling a stock because of inside information
they possess, they should assume that such information is
material. It is also important for the officer, director
or employee to keep in mind that if any trade they make
becomes the subject of an investigation by the government,
the trade will be viewed after-the-fact with the benefit
of hindsight. Consequently, officers, directors and
employees should always carefully consider how their
trades would look from this perspective.
Two simple rules can help protect you in this area: (1)
Do not use non-public information for personal gain. (2)
Do not pass along such information to someone else who has
no need to know.
This guidance also applies to the securities of other
companies for which you receive information in the course
of your employment at The Company .
II. BE TIMELY AND ACCURATE IN ALL PUBLIC REPORTS
As a public company, the Company must be fair and
accurate in all reports filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors
and management of The Company are responsible for ensuring
that all reports are filed in a timely manner and that
they fairly present the financial condition and operating
results of the Company.
Securities laws are vigorously enforced. Violations may
result in severe penalties including forced sales of parts
of the business and significant fines against the Company.
There may also be sanctions against individual employees
including substantial fines and prison sentences.
The principal executive officer and principal financial
Officer will certify to the accuracy of reports filed with
the SEC in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Officers and Directors who knowingly or willingly make
false certifications may be subject to criminal penalties
or sanctions including fines and imprisonment.
6. AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Our officers, directors and employees have an obligation
to give their complete loyalty to the best interests of the
Company. They should avoid any action that may involve, or
may appear to involve, a material conflict of interest with
the Company. Officers, directors and employees should not
have any material financial or other business relationships
with suppliers, customers or competitors that might impair,
or even appear to impair, the independence of any judgment
they may need to make on behalf of the Company.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST COULD ARISE:
- · Employment by a competitor, or potential competitor,
regardless of the nature of the employment, while employed
by the Company .
- · Acceptance of gifts, payment, or services from those
seeking to do business with the Company .
- · Placement of business with a firm owned or
controlled by an officer, director or employee or his/her
family.
- · Ownership of, or substantial interest in, a company
that is a competitor, client or supplier.
- · Acting as a consultant to a the Company customer,
client or supplier.
Officers, directors and employees are under a continuing
obligation to disclose any situation that presents the
possibility of a conflict or disparity of interest between
the officer, director or employee and the Company.
Disclosure of any potential conflict is the key to remaining
in full compliance with this policy.
7. COMPETE ETHICALLY AND FAIRLY FOR BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES
We must comply with the laws and regulations that pertain
to the acquisition of goods and services. We will compete
fairly and ethically for all business opportunities. In
circumstances where there is reason to believe that the
release or receipt of non-public information is
unauthorized, do not attempt to obtain and do not accept
such information from any source.
If you are involved in Company transactions, you must be
certain that all statements, communications, and
representations are accurate and truthful.
8. AVOID ILLEGAL AND QUESTIONABLE GIFTS OR FAVORS
The sale and marketing of our products and services
should always be free from even the perception that
favorable treatment was sought, received, or given in
exchange for the furnishing or receipt of business
courtesies. Officers, directors and employees of the Company
will neither give nor accept business courtesies that
constitute, or could be reasonably perceived as
constituting, unfair business inducements or that would
violate law, regulation or policies of the Company, or could
cause embarrassment to or reflect negatively on the
Company's reputation.
9. MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF CONSULTANTS, AGENTS, AND
REPRESENTATIVES
Business integrity is a key standard for the selection
and retention of those who represent the Company. Agents,
representatives and consultants must certify their
willingness to comply with the Company's policies and
procedures and must never be retained to circumvent our
values and principles. Paying bribes or kickbacks, engaging
in industrial espionage, obtaining the proprietary data of a
third party without authority, or gaining inside information
or influence are just a few examples of what could give us
an unfair competitive advantage and could result in
violations of law.
10. PROTECT PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Proprietary Company information may not be disclosed to
anyone without proper authorization. Keep proprietary
documents protected and secure. In the course of normal
business activities, suppliers, customers and competitors
may sometimes divulge to you information that is proprietary
to their business. Respect these confidences.
11. OBTAIN AND USE COMPANY ASSETS WISELY
Personal use of Company property must always be in
accordance with corporate policy. Proper use of Company
property, information resources, material, facilities and
equipment is your responsibility. Use and maintain these
assets with the utmost care and respect, guarding against
waste and abuse, and never borrow or remove Company property
without management's permission.
12. FOLLOW THE LAW AND USE COMMON SENSE IN POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
The Company encourages its employees to become involved
in civic affairs and to participate in the political
process. Employees must understand, however, that their
involvement and participation must be on an individual
basis, on their own time and at their own expense. In the
United States, federal law prohibits corporations from
donating corporate funds, goods, or services, directly or
indirectly, to candidates for federal offices -- this
includes employees' work time. Local and state laws also
govern political contributions and activities as they apply
to their respective jurisdictions.
13. BOARD COMMITTEES.
The Company shall establish an Audit Committee empowered
to enforce this Code of Ethics. The Audit Committee will
report to the Board of Directors at least once each year
regarding the general effectiveness of the Company's Code of
Ethics, the Company's controls and reporting procedures and
the Company's business conduct.
14. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES.
The Company shall consistently enforce its Code of Ethics
and Business Conduct through appropriate means of
discipline. Violations of the Code shall be promptly
reported to the Audit Committee. Pursuant to procedures
adopted by it, the Audit Committee shall determine whether
violations of the Code have occurred and, if so, shall
determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against any
employee or agent of the Company who has so violated the
Code.
The disciplinary measures, which may be invoked at the
discretion of the Audit Committee, include, but are not
limited to, counseling, oral or written reprimands,
warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions,
reductions in salary, termination of employment and
restitution.
Persons subject to disciplinary measures shall include,
in addition to the violator, others involved in the
wrongdoing such as (i) persons who fail to use reasonable
care to detect a violation, (ii) persons who if requested to
divulge information withhold material information regarding
a violation, and (iii) supervisors who approve or condone
the violations or attempt to retaliate against employees or
agents for reporting violations or violators. |