Can I use this catalogue to generate a Code of Conduct and Ethics document?

Yes. The catalogue can be used as a reference when generating a tailored Code of Conduct and Ethics document on the main category page.

How does the clause catalogue differ from the main document generator?

The catalogue provides individual clause options, while the main generator uses selected information to create a complete Code of Conduct and Ethics policy document.

Is a Code of Conduct and Ethics legally required in the UK?

Not always, but it is strongly recommended as it helps communicate workplace expectations, reduce compliance risks, and support consistent decision-making.

Does a Code of Conduct and Ethics support legal compliance?

Yes. UK employers often use ethics and conduct policies to support compliance with laws on bribery, equality, data protection, health and safety, and whistleblowing.

Can the clauses be customised for my organisation?

Yes. Clauses should be edited to reflect your company’s size, industry, values, reporting lines, risk profile, and existing HR policies.

Who should use a Code of Conduct and Ethics policy?

A Code of Conduct and Ethics is suitable for companies, charities, partnerships, public bodies, startups, and other organisations that need clear workplace conduct standards.

Can the policy apply to contractors and third parties?

Yes. Clauses can be adapted for employees, directors, officers, contractors, consultants, agency workers, suppliers, and other workplace representatives.

How often should a UK Code of Conduct and Ethics be reviewed?

A Code of Conduct and Ethics should be reviewed regularly, especially after legal changes, organisational restructuring, compliance incidents, or updates to internal policies.

What tone should a Code of Conduct and Ethics use?

It should be clear, professional, practical, and consistent with UK employment practices and your organisation’s internal procedures.

Does this clause catalogue provide legal advice?

The catalogue is a helpful drafting resource, but it is not legal advice. For high-risk or regulated organisations, legal review is recommended.

EN-GB>Governance>Code of Conduct and Ethics>United Kingdom Code of Conduct Clause Catalogue

United Kingdom Code Of Conduct And Ethics Clause Catalogue

Created: 8 Jun 2026

Explore this clause catalogue to compare practical ethics and conduct wording for workplace policies. It complements AI Generated Code of Conduct and Ethics for use in the United Kingdom, helping readers draft clearer, more relevant policy content.

Clause name	Purpose	Most relevant organisation type	Typical importance	Drafting considerations
Governance and accountability
Purpose And Ethical Principles	Explains the organisationu0027s values and expected ethical standards.	All organisations	High	Link values to practical behaviours, not slogans.
Scope And Who The Code Applies To	Defines who must follow the code.	All organisations	High	Cover employees, directors, contractors, agency workers and suppliers where relevant.
Leadership Responsibilities	Makes leaders responsible for modelling and enforcing ethical conduct.	All organisations	High	Specify board, senior management and line manager duties.
Individual Accountability	Confirms each person is responsible for their conduct and decisions.	All organisations	High	Avoid language that removes employer duties or statutory rights.
Ethical Decision-Making And Escalation	Gives a process for handling ethical uncertainty.	All organisations	Medium	Include decision tests, approval routes and record-keeping expectations.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Compliance With Applicable Laws	Requires compliance with UK law and applicable overseas laws.	All organisations, International businesses	High	State how to handle conflicts between local law and company standards.
Business integrity
Conflicts Of Interest	Prevents personal interests from improperly influencing business decisions.	All organisations	High	Define examples, declaration process, registers and approval authority.
Outside Employment And Business Interests	Manages second jobs, directorships and business interests that may conflict.	Companies with employees	Medium	Balance legitimate outside work with confidentiality, working time and conflicts.
Workplace behaviour
Family And Personal Relationships At Work	Reduces bias, favouritism and unmanaged reporting conflicts.	Companies with employees	Medium	Focus on disclosure and management, not intrusive personal monitoring.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Anti-Bribery And Corruption	Prohibits bribes, facilitation payments and corrupt advantages.	All organisations, International businesses, Supplier-heavy businesses	High	Align with Bribery Act procedures, risk assessment and approvals.
Business integrity
Gifts And Hospitality	Controls offers that could influence or appear to influence decisions.	All organisations, Supplier-heavy businesses	High	Set thresholds, registers, approval rules and prohibited categories.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Facilitation Payments	Bans unofficial payments to speed routine actions.	International businesses	High	Include safety exception handling, reporting and accounting controls.
Business integrity
Political Donations And Lobbying	Controls political activity and protects lawful transparency.	Public-facing businesses, Regulated businesses	Medium	Check company authority, donation controls and lobbying registration issues.
Charitable Donations And Sponsorships	Prevents donations being used as disguised bribes or improper influence.	Public-facing businesses, International businesses	Medium	Require due diligence, approval and transparent recording.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Fraud And Dishonesty	Prohibits deception, false accounting and dishonest gain.	All organisations	High	Coordinate with expenses, finance controls and investigation procedures.
Anti-Money Laundering	Prevents involvement in laundering criminal property or terrorist financing.	Regulated businesses, International businesses	High	Adapt for regulated sector status, customer due diligence and suspicious activity reporting.
Sanctions Compliance	Prevents dealings with sanctioned persons, entities or restricted activities.	International businesses, Regulated businesses	High	Specify screening, escalation, asset freezes and record keeping.
Prevention Of Tax Evasion Facilitation	Prohibits helping others evade UK or foreign tax.	All organisations, International businesses	High	Refer to reasonable prevention procedures and associated persons.
Competition Law And Fair Competition	Prevents anti-competitive agreements, bid rigging and market sharing.	All organisations, Regulated businesses	High	Include trade association, competitor contact and pricing information rules.
Business integrity
Fair Dealing With Customers And Suppliers	Promotes honest, fair and transparent business relationships.	Public-facing businesses, Supplier-heavy businesses	Medium	Tailor for consumer, B2B, public sector or regulated customers.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Consumer Protection And Fair Trading	Requires truthful sales practices and fair treatment of consumers.	Public-facing businesses	High	Address advertising claims, pricing, returns, complaints and vulnerable consumers.
Business integrity
Advertising And Marketing Integrity	Ensures marketing is legal, decent, honest and truthful.	Public-facing businesses	Medium	Add approval controls for claims, endorsements, promotions and green claims.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Product And Service Safety	Requires safe products and services and prompt safety escalation.	Public-facing businesses	High	Include incident reporting, recalls, traceability and technical standards.
Business integrity
Quality And Professional Standards	Requires work to meet agreed quality, care and competence standards.	All organisations	Medium	Align with sector standards, professional duties and customer commitments.
Workplace behaviour
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion	Promotes equal opportunity and prohibits unlawful discrimination.	Companies with employees	High	Cover protected characteristics, recruitment, promotion, pay and treatment.
Bullying, Harassment And Victimisation	Prohibits intimidating, degrading or offensive workplace behaviour.	Companies with employees	High	Include sexual harassment duties, examples and reporting routes.
Respectful Workplace Conduct	Sets expectations for courtesy, professionalism and collaboration.	Companies with employees	High	Avoid vague rules that are hard to enforce consistently.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Health, Safety And Wellbeing	Requires safe working practices and reporting of hazards.	Companies with employees	High	Reflect workplace risks, training, PPE, remote work and incident reporting.
Workplace behaviour
Alcohol, Drugs And Fitness For Work	Prevents impairment that creates safety or performance risks.	Companies with employees, Regulated businesses	Medium	Testing rules need lawful basis, proportionality and clear consent process.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Safeguarding And Protection Of Vulnerable People	Protects children and vulnerable adults from harm.	Public-facing businesses, Regulated businesses	High	Include DBS checks, reporting, training and sector safeguarding duties.
Business integrity
Human Rights And Dignity	Commits the organisation to respecting human rights and dignity.	International businesses, Supplier-heavy businesses	Medium	Consider supply chain, security, labour and community impacts.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Modern Slavery And Human Trafficking	Prevents forced labour and trafficking in operations and supply chains.	Supplier-heavy businesses, International businesses	High	Address statement duties, supplier due diligence and worker reporting channels.
Business integrity
Responsible Sourcing And Supplier Standards	Requires suppliers to meet ethical, labour and compliance standards.	Supplier-heavy businesses	High	Use supplier codes, audit rights, termination rights and remediation processes.
Procurement Integrity	Promotes fair, transparent and value-based purchasing decisions.	Supplier-heavy businesses, Public-facing businesses	Medium	Address conflicts, gifts, tender confidentiality and supplier evaluation records.
Information and assets
Data Protection And Privacy	Requires lawful, fair and secure handling of personal data.	All organisations	High	Align with UK GDPR roles, lawful bases, rights and breach reporting.
Confidential Information	Protects confidential business, customer and employee information.	All organisations	High	Do not restrict protected disclosures or lawful whistleblowing.
Information Security	Protects systems, accounts and information from unauthorised access.	All organisations	High	Cover passwords, MFA, phishing, devices, access controls and incident reporting.
Reporting and enforcement
Cyber Incident Reporting	Requires prompt reporting of suspected cyber security incidents.	All organisations, Regulated businesses	High	Coordinate with data breach, IT, legal and regulator notification processes.
Information and assets
Acceptable Use Of IT Systems	Sets rules for using company devices, networks and software.	Companies with employees	High	Address monitoring notices, personal use and remote working.
Workplace behaviour
Social Media And Online Conduct	Protects reputation and sets rules for online work-related conduct.	Public-facing businesses, Companies with employees	Medium	Balance reputation, free expression, confidentiality and disciplinary fairness.
Information and assets
Use And Protection Of Company Assets	Prevents misuse, loss or theft of physical and digital assets.	All organisations	High	Include personal use, return of property and asset reporting.
Intellectual Property And Inventions	Protects company IP and respects third-party IP rights.	All organisations	Medium	Align with employment contracts, copyright, patents and open-source use.
Business integrity
Accurate Books, Records And Reporting	Requires complete, truthful and timely business records.	All organisations	High	Cover expenses, invoices, approvals, retention and audit cooperation.
Expenses And Reimbursements	Prevents false, excessive or undocumented expense claims.	Companies with employees	Medium	Set receipt, approval, travel, subsistence and tax treatment rules.
Governance and accountability
Financial Controls And Authority Limits	Ensures spending, commitments and payments are properly authorised.	All organisations	High	Cross-reference delegations, procurement policy and fraud controls.
Reporting and enforcement
Whistleblowing And Protected Disclosures	Encourages reporting of wrongdoing and protects eligible whistleblowers.	All organisations, Companies with employees	High	Explain protected disclosures, prescribed persons, confidentiality and no retaliation.
Speak-Up Channels And Reporting Concerns	Provides routes for reporting concerns, questions and misconduct.	All organisations	High	Offer manager, HR, compliance and anonymous options where appropriate.
Non-Retaliation	Prohibits victimisation for raising concerns in good faith.	All organisations	High	Do not require legal proof before protection applies.
Internal Investigations And Cooperation	Explains how concerns may be investigated and cooperation expected.	Companies with employees	High	Preserve fairness, confidentiality, evidence integrity and employment rights.
Breach Of Code And Disciplinary Action	Explains consequences of breaching the code.	Companies with employees, All organisations	High	Cross-reference disciplinary procedure and avoid automatic dismissal wording.
Grievances And Workplace Complaints	Directs staff to the proper process for employment complaints.	Companies with employees	Medium	Distinguish grievances from whistleblowing and compliance reports.
Governance and accountability
Training And Certification	Ensures staff understand the code and certify compliance where needed.	All organisations, Regulated businesses	Medium	Use risk-based frequency and records for higher-risk roles.
Policy Ownership, Review And Updates	Assigns responsibility for maintaining and updating the code.	All organisations	Medium	State owner, approval body, review cycle and version control.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Regulatory Cooperation And Notifications	Requires cooperation with regulators and timely escalation of notifiable matters.	Regulated businesses	High	Adapt to FCA, PRA, ICO, HSE, charity or sector regulator duties.
Financial Services Conduct Rules	Requires regulated staff to meet FCA or PRA conduct standards.	Regulated businesses	High	Include individual conduct rules, senior manager duties and breach reporting.
Insider Dealing And Market Abuse	Prevents misuse of inside information and market manipulation.	Regulated businesses, Public-facing businesses	High	Add dealing windows, restricted lists and disclosure controls if listed.
Preventing Economic Crime	Reduces risk of fraud, false accounting and other economic crime.	Regulated businesses, All organisations	High	Consider failure to prevent fraud exposure for large organisations.
Environmental Responsibility	Requires lawful and responsible environmental practices.	All organisations	Medium	Tailor to waste, emissions, permits, supply chain and premises risks.
Business integrity
Green Claims And Sustainability Communications	Prevents misleading environmental and sustainability claims.	Public-facing businesses	Medium	Require evidence, lifecycle context and legal review for public claims.
Workplace behaviour
Remote And Hybrid Working Conduct	Applies conduct, security and availability standards to remote work.	Companies with employees	Medium	Cover confidentiality, equipment, health and safety and monitoring notices.
Business integrity
Customer Complaints Handling	Ensures complaints are handled fairly, promptly and consistently.	Public-facing businesses, Regulated businesses	Medium	Regulated firms may need ombudsman and prescribed response requirements.
Treatment Of Vulnerable Customers	Promotes fair, sensitive treatment of customers with vulnerability.	Public-facing businesses, Regulated businesses	Medium	Define vulnerability indicators, staff training and escalation processes.
Client And Customer Conflicts	Prevents unmanaged conflicts affecting customers or clients.	Regulated businesses, Public-facing businesses	High	Include identification, disclosure, mitigation and refusal where needed.
Workplace behaviour
Fair Recruitment And Promotion	Requires fair, merit-based and non-discriminatory hiring and promotion.	Companies with employees	High	Cover reasonable adjustments, interview records and objective criteria.
Pay, Benefits And Reward Integrity	Promotes fair, lawful and transparent reward decisions.	Companies with employees	Medium	Consider equal pay, bonuses, incentives and conflicts in remuneration.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Working Time And Rest	Supports lawful working hours, breaks and fatigue management.	Companies with employees	Medium	Reflect opt-outs, on-call work, travel time and safety-critical roles.
Right To Work And Immigration Compliance	Requires lawful employment and right-to-work checks.	Companies with employees	High	Avoid discriminatory checks apply right-to-work process consistently.
Business integrity
Dealings With Public Officials	Controls higher-risk interactions with officials and state bodies.	International businesses, Supplier-heavy businesses	High	Define officials broadly and require pre-approval for benefits or payments.
Third-Party Due Diligence	Assesses integrity risks before appointing agents, suppliers or partners.	Supplier-heavy businesses, International businesses, Regulated businesses	High	Use risk-based checks for bribery, sanctions, AML and modern slavery.
Agents, Intermediaries And Representatives	Controls conduct of third parties acting for the organisation.	International businesses, Supplier-heavy businesses	High	Require written contracts, audit rights, training and termination rights.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Export Controls And Trade Restrictions	Prevents unlawful export of controlled goods, software or technology.	International businesses	Medium	Assess products, destinations, end users, licences and technical transfers.
Information and assets
Document Retention And Legal Holds	Ensures records are kept, deleted or preserved appropriately.	All organisations	Medium	Balance limitation periods, regulatory retention and data minimisation.
Business integrity
Media And Public Communications	Controls who may speak publicly for the organisation.	Public-facing businesses	Medium	Include press, investors, regulators, crisis communications and social media.
Information and assets
Responsible Use Of Artificial Intelligence	Sets ethical and secure rules for using AI tools.	All organisations	Medium	Cover confidential inputs, accuracy checks, bias, IP and human oversight.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Personal Account Dealing	Controls employee trading that may create conflicts or market abuse risk.	Regulated businesses	Medium	Specify pre-clearance, restricted securities, holding periods and reporting.
Business integrity
Sales Incentives And Conduct Risk	Prevents incentives encouraging unsuitable or unfair customer outcomes.	Regulated businesses, Public-facing businesses	Medium	Review commission, targets, complaints, cancellations and customer harm indicators.
Tax Integrity And Transparent Dealings	Promotes honest tax reporting and rejection of abusive tax practices.	All organisations, International businesses	Medium	Align with finance controls, advisers, associated persons and tax strategy.
Fundraising Ethics	Ensures fundraising is lawful, honest and respectful.	Public-facing businesses	Low	Relevant mainly to charities, sponsors and cause-marketing campaigns.
Workplace behaviour
Conduct Outside Work Affecting The Organisation	Addresses outside conduct that damages trust, safety or reputation.	Companies with employees, Public-facing businesses	Medium	Require a genuine connection to work and fair disciplinary assessment.
Respect For Lawful Beliefs And Opinions	Promotes respectful debate while preventing discrimination or harassment.	Companies with employees	Medium	Balance belief protection, expression, dignity and harassment risks.
Accessibility And Reasonable Adjustments	Supports disabled staff, customers and applicants through reasonable adjustments.	Companies with employees, Public-facing businesses	High	Include request routes, confidentiality and customer-facing adjustments.
Business integrity
Climate And Sustainability Reporting Integrity	Ensures sustainability data and reports are accurate and evidence-based.	Public-facing businesses, Regulated businesses	Medium	Check quoted companies, large companies and financial reporting duties.
Reporting and enforcement
Supply Chain Concern Escalation	Provides a route to report supplier labour, ethics or safety concerns.	Supplier-heavy businesses, International businesses	Medium	Define escalation, remediation, suspension and termination criteria.
Governance and accountability
Ethics Monitoring And Board Reporting	Ensures ethics risks and incidents are reviewed at senior level.	All organisations, Regulated businesses	Medium	Use metrics on reports, training, breaches, investigations and culture.
Business integrity
Supplier Gifts, Rebates And Kickbacks	Prevents procurement decisions being influenced by hidden benefits.	Supplier-heavy businesses	High	Require disclosure of rebates, commissions, discounts and personal benefits.
Reporting and enforcement
Confidentiality In Reports And Investigations	Protects sensitive information during reports and investigations.	All organisations	Medium	Avoid absolute confidentiality promises that cannot lawfully be guaranteed.
Anonymous Reporting	Allows concerns to be raised without naming the reporter where available.	All organisations, Regulated businesses	Medium	Explain limits on investigation, feedback and anonymity protection.
Governance and accountability
Code Acknowledgement And Annual Declarations	Records that people have read the code and declared conflicts.	All organisations, Regulated businesses	Medium	Use for higher-risk roles and keep audit-ready records.

What Should A UK Code Of Conduct And Ethics Policy Include?

A strong UK code of conduct and ethics policy usually needs more than general values statements. The highest-priority clauses commonly cover leadership accountability, conflicts of interest, bribery prevention, gifts and hospitality, workplace harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing, data protection, confidential information, health and safety, fraud, competition law and disciplinary consequences.

Which Clauses Are Most Legally Sensitive In The UK?

Clauses linked to bribery, equality, whistleblowing, data protection, health and safety, modern slavery, competition law, financial crime and sanctions should be drafted with particular care because they connect directly to UK statutory duties or regulatory expectations. Relevant sources include the Bribery Act 2010, Equality Act 2010, Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, Data Protection Act 2018 and Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

How Should The Policy Be Adapted For Different Organisations?

Regulated businesses should add sector-specific clauses on fitness and propriety, market conduct, client money, financial promotions, vulnerable customers and regulatory reporting.
International businesses should strengthen anti-bribery, sanctions, export controls, human rights, tax integrity and local law escalation clauses.
Supplier-heavy businesses should include modern slavery, responsible sourcing, supplier gifts, procurement conflicts and third-party due diligence clauses.
Companies with employees should prioritise equality, harassment, bullying, grievances, health and safety, whistleblowing and disciplinary procedures.
Public-facing businesses should address customer treatment, social media, safeguarding, product safety, complaints handling and reputation risks.

What Drafting Choices Matter Most?

The policy should say who it applies to, how conflicts are declared, when gifts need approval, where whistleblowing reports go, what conduct may lead to disciplinary action, and how the policy interacts with employment contracts, staff handbooks and supplier terms. UK organisations should avoid copying a generic international code without adapting it to UK employment law, data protection law and sector regulation.

Code of conduct and ethics clause catalogue

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FAQs

What is a United Kingdom Code of Conduct and Ethics clause catalogue?

A UK Code of Conduct and Ethics clause catalogue is a structured collection of clauses used to build or customise workplace ethics and conduct policies for organisations operating in the United Kingdom.

What can I use this clause catalogue for?

Are the clauses suitable for UK businesses?

What is included in a Code of Conduct and Ethics policy?

Which clauses are commonly included in a UK Code of Conduct and Ethics?

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