Cotecna Annual Activity Report 2012
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Transcript of Cotecna Annual Activity Report 2012
ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT
Established in Geneva, Switzerland, Cotecna is one of
the world’s leading companies in the fields of inspection,
security, testing and certification.
A world leader in Customs inspection contracts, Cotecna
specializes in the development of solutions enabling gov-
ernments to combat fraud, to protect Customs revenue,
to maintain internal security and to facilitate lawful com-
mercial exchanges at national borders.
The company also provides the private sector with a wide
range of testing, inspection and certification services, as
well as assistance in trade finance services and electronic
documentation.
Founded by Elie Georges Massey in 1974, Cotecna is a family-
owned business with an international network comprising
around a hundred offices in more than 60 countries. The
Group, with a workforce of close to 4 000 employees and
agents, combines professionalism, reliability, infrastruc-
ture and international expertise with flexibility and proximity.
Cotecna’s proactive approach ensures that its services
always respond to the changing needs of its customers.
Every year, the Group issues government certificates for
goods valued at over USD 30 billion.
PROXIMITY, INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY:
THE VALUES WHICH MAKE COTECNA
A RESPECTED LEADER
IN ITS INDUSTRY.
COMPANY PROFILE | 1
CONTENTS
INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO 4
Interview with Robert Massey, CEO of Cotecna
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS 8
Government contracts and commercial activities
Trade fairs and conferences
Awards and recognition
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 16
Government services
Verification of Conformity (VoC)
Commodities
Consumer goods
Laboratories
Trade finance services
Affiliations, accreditations and certifications
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 26
Water, health and education
Corporate social responsability
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 30
Business ethics and compliance
Internal control
Quality Management System
Group structure
Human resources
Worldwide presence
CONTENTS | 3
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 4
INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO
INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT MASSEY,CEO OF COTECNA
INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO | 5
The past two years have been difficult for many businesses; how has Cotecna fared in this particular context?
It is true that the consequences of the crisis have
considerably slowed down the activities of many
companies over this period. However, the flexibility
and excellent responsiveness we derive from our
company’s family structure and human scale have
enabled us to remain stable and solid.
So you are achieving growth?
That’s right. Compared to 2011, the 2012 figures
show that profitability is substantially higher.
How should we interpret the economic indicators for 2013?
The level of international trade is having an impact
on our industry. Although China has been marking
time recently, we are once again seeing a recovery in
business activity, which is influencing the volume of
inspections. And of course, higher volumes means
more growth for our business.
« TO WIN CONTRACTS, YOU NEED IN-DEPTH
KNOWLEDGE OF THE MARKETS,
A PRESENCE ON THE GROUND,
AND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO WORK
WITH LOCAL EXPERTISE. »
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 6
So the outlook is generally good?
Absolutely. In fact we have signed several new con-
tracts, for example with the governments of Gabon
and El Salvador, which have called on our services
to support their processes of modernizing Customs
facilities and improving equipment. This means we
will create more than 200 local jobs and will provide
our expertise in operating scanners, a speciality that
has become one of the spearheads of our services.
Besides Gabon and El Salvador, are there any other developments in the pipeline?
The Verification of Conformity business is expanding
rapidly, which offers us opportunities for growth and
diversification. This is because new standards are
always being introduced, and emerging countries
increasingly need these types of services, to protect
consumers. This is where we have something to
offer, as well as strong credentials.
But it must be difficult to succeed in such a competitive environment?
To win contracts, first you need a level of visibility, a
good reputation and references. But you also need
in-depth knowledge of the markets, presence on the
ground, and knowledge of how to work with local
expertise. In this respect, Cotecna is particularly well
placed, and we are continuing to redeploy people in
different regions in order to provide solutions for
governments and for private customers. Being local
naturally makes it easier to do business.
INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO | 7
Are you pursuing a policy of growth?
Cotecna has always progressed in stages, and we
are careful to do this in a balanced way. But it is true
that today there are major opportunities in the field
of private commerce.
Have you put in place a specific strategy to develop the commercial sector?
In this domain, we have restructured our busi-
nesses and put in place a growth strategy. We
will also be concentrating more generally on the
inspection of agricultural products and consumer
goods. This strategy underpinned our activities
throughout 2012, and we are very pleased that it is
already bearing fruit.
You have been at the head of Cotecna for many years; does your enthusiasm ever wane?
Whatever profession you are in, I think the most
important thing is to always take pleasure in what
you do, and to never work on your own. Ours is a
great business, because we tackle very concrete
problems in teams, working closely with directors,
decision-makers and government representatives.
This means our impact on the ground is quantifi-
able, and the aim of our business is to continue to
improve quality of life for everyone. While we con-
tinue to evolve with the dynamism and pragmatism
that have made Cotecna so successful to date, the
source of my enthusiasm will never dry up.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS | 9
Following the signing of new contracts, Cotecna
plans to create more than 200 local jobs in
2013, particularly in El Salvador and Gabon.
ISO 17020The Cotecna Group is one of the few inspection companies to have received ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation on a worldwide scale, for all of its offices.
5 400As part of Brazil’s national strategy to boost its soybean production, Cotecna is the official inspector for all yields higher than 5 400 kg per hectare.200
Cotecna has been named « Best Collateral Management
Company » for the second year running, a title that
recognizes its role of supporting trade finance.N°1
15Cotecna will have
responsibility for the acquisition, installation
and operation of 15 scanners at eight
sites in El Salvador.
BEST COLLATERAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 10
WORLDWIDE
Signing of a partnership with Orange for M2M solutions
Cotecna and Orange Business Services have
signed a partnership agreement to develop M2M
(Machine-to-Machine) solutions for communication
and geolocation, meaning the real-time and secure
monitoring and traceability of machines, equipment
and systems, particularly for transit monitoring. In
the wake of this agreement, in 2012 Cotecna pre-
sented its Cotrack® solution at an Orange Business
Live conference in Rome.
GABON
New Customs scanners
As part of the modernization of its Customs admin-
istration, the contract signed between the govern-
ment of Gabon and Cotecna relates to the supply and
operation of X-ray scanners for Owendo port and
Port-Gentil. The contract also covers the deploy-
ment of our risk management system (CRMS®) as
well as provisions for training.
NIGERIA
Extension of the Destination Inspection (DI) contract
The Destination Inspection contract, which has
been in place between Cotecna and the Nigerian
Customs Services since 2006, concluded at the
end of 2012. In light of the significant progress
this has enabled the administration to achieve,
particularly in terms of facilitating trade, fight-
ing fraud, protecting revenues and strengthen-
ing the Customs expertise of its personnel, the
Nigerian government extended the contract for
a period of six months.
A long-term contract to verify the conformity of imported goods
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SONCAP)
has commissioned Cotecna, as well as three other
companies, to verify the conformity of imported
goods according to current best practice.
ZAMBIA
First contract for Cotecna
At the end of the year, Cotecna was commissioned by
the Zambia Revenue Authority to test seven scanners
recently acquired by the State, which are currently
being deployed on the country’s borders.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS | 11
TOGO
Electronic monitoring system successfully implemented on six sites
To support the process of modernizing the Togo
Customs administration, Cotecna has put in place
an electronic monitoring system for goods in tran-
sit. This system strengthens and complements
Customs capacities in terms of the physical moni-
toring of goods, thereby boosting efforts to combat
fraud. It enables the tracking and surveillance of
vehicle movements in real time, from their point of
departure to their point of arrival.
EL SALVADOR
Non-intrusive inspection services contract
As part of its program to modernize its Customs,
El Salvador has selected Cotecna for the imple-
mentation and operation of non-intrusive inspec-
tion systems. The contract includes the purchase,
installation and operation of equipment, including
15 scanners, as well as civil works to be carried
out at eight inspection sites. To fulfil its mission,
Cotecna will employ and train nearly 150 local
personnel.
BRAZIL
Cotecna inspects high-yield soybean harvests
The purpose of Brazil’s Strategic Soybean Committee
(CESB) is to increase productivity and promote the
latest soybean cultivation technologies across the
country. The Committee, which for the past three
years has rewarded the best producers, has appointed
Cotecna as the official inspector for all yields greater
than 5 400 kg per hectare.
ECUADOR
Cotecna in charge of transit monitoring and traceability
Cotecna has been appointed by the National Customs
Service of Ecuador (SENAE) to monitor the traffic of
containers in transit in Ecuador in order to guarantee
their integrity, from their arrival in the country to
their final destination. Monitoring is carried out in
real time using an electronic seal that issues alerts
in case of intrusion or diversion.
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 12
COLOMBIA
Mineralogy laboratory opened
To meet the growing needs of the coal industry
in Colombia, Cotecna has opened a mineralogy
laboratory in Zipaquirá, specializing in the analysis
and quality control of metallurgical and thermal
coals, coke and minerals. The laboratory also offers
an online service as well as a unique coal mixture
analysis procedure.
IRAQ
Verification of conformity for imported goods
Officially appointed by the Central Organization
for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC),
Cotecna manages the implementation of the
Verification of Conformity (VoC) program for
imported goods in Iraq. As part of this mission,
Cotecna carries out verifications and inspec-
tions at a number of border posts. It also issues
Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and Non-
Conformity Reports (NCR).
INDONESIA
Cotecna inspects Non-B3 imports
Cotecna has been officially appointed by KSO
Sucofindo-Surveyor Indonesia (KSO SCISI) to
handle the inspection of non-hazardous and
Non-toxic (non-B3) merchandise cargos imported
into Indonesia from Asia and the Middle East.
PHILIPPINES
Cotecna inspects raw materials for the World Food Program
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP)
supports the Philippine government and its
local authorities with the food needs of the popu-
lation. To facilitate its mission, the World Food
Program has commissioned Cotecna to inspect
and monitor raw materials in the country.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS | 13
INDIA
Two calls for tenders won by Cotecna for cotton inspection
Cotecna has won two calls for tenders in India for
cotton inspection. The first contract, awarded by the
Cotton Corporation of India, is for the pre-shipment
supervision and inspection of cargos of cotton bales
at embarkation. The second, signed by the National
Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of
India Ltd (NAFED), consists of weighing, testing
and sampling cotton production in the states of
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
THAILAND
Inspection of rice quality for a refugee camp
Cotecna has been chosen by the Border Consortium
to check the quality and quantity of rice distributed
at a refugee camp on the border between Thailand
and Burma. This service includes the disinfection
of rice by fumigation, as well as the verification of
the distribution of stocks in depots before their
delivery in containers.
A new laboratory specializing in wood analysis
The Group has opened a laboratory in Sri Racha
in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand, for the
analysis of eucalyptus wood chips for the paper and
biofuel industry in Asia. Its mission is to check the
quality of wood and supply fumigation, sampling
and stock inspection services.
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 14
WORLDWIDE
Commodities conferences
The Global Grain conferences are held every year
for professionals around the world involved in the
grain and oilseed industry. They are an opportu-
nity to meet experts and country representatives,
to check the state of markets and trends, and to
meet customers, buyers and sellers. Cotecna
was represented at the Global Grain conferences
in Singapore and Switzerland (Geneva), and in Bali
as the co-sponsor of the World Rice Conference.
Conferences on trade finance
As a world-renowned expert in trade finance,
Cotecna is often invited to take part in major confer-
ences. In 2012, our company was represented on the
panel at the Euromoney Trade Finance conference
in Switzerland (Geneva) and at the Exporta Supply
Chain Finance conference in the Netherlands
(Amsterdam). Cotecna was also present as a
speaker at the Exporta Brazil & Latin America Trade
& Commodity Finance conference, and took part in
the Euromoney Trade and Commodity Finance in
Brazil (São Paulo).
SWITZERLAND
Soybean inspections in Brazil presented at the Global Commodities Forum
At the UNCTAD Global Commodities Forum held
at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Cotecna Trade
Services SA presented a case study: Cotecna’s
inspection of soybean production as part of the
national productivity challenge launched by Brazil’s
Strategic Soybean Committee (CESB).
Cotecna at the Geneva School of Business Administration
As part of its training activities, Cotecna was invited
to give a lecture to students at the Haute École de
Gestion in Geneva on « The Role of Inspection in
International Commodity Trading ».
PORTUGAL
Sponsor of the Sea Market Seminar
The aim of the Sea Market Seminar, held in Porto in
2012, is to develop business opportunities and facili-
tate partnerships between businesses in the sector,
particularly Portuguese and French. Cotecna, the
event’s official sponsor, presented to a large num-
ber of leading figures its viewpoint on the facilitation
and safety of the flow of merchandise in ports.
Presence at the Portugal Exportador Forum
At the Portugal Exportador Forum, Cotecna pre-
sented to companies looking to develop or increase
business on international markets, its expertise
in exports as well as the tools that can be used to
develop their field of activity.
TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS | 15
CHINA
Participation in Trade Fairs
At the end of the year, Cotecna took part in two of the
most important industry events in China: the Hong
Kong Electronics Fair and the China Import and
Export Fair in Canton. Cotecna’s presence at these
events was aimed at promoting its expertise in con-
sumer goods inspection and its government services.
INDIA
Vegetable oil industry trade fairs
In 2012, Cotecna took part in the conference organ-
ized by the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export
Promotion Council (IOPEPC) on the promotion and
development of the export of oilseed products.
Cotecna also attended the international Globoil
India conference in Mumbai, the annual meeting
place for the vegetable oil trade and industry.
WORLDWIDE
Cotecna is named Best Collateral Management
Company for the second time
Credit organizations and trading firms rated
Cotecna as the Best Collateral Management
Company in Trade Finance magazine’s annual
ranking of the best companies in the sector, for
the second year running. This honor rewards the
quality of Cotecna’s work in trade finance as well
as its innovative approach.
GHANA
Cotecna’s subsidiary receives the Certificate of Merit
For the 60th anniversary of the World Customs
Organization (WCO), Ghana’s Customs services
awarded its Certificate of Merit to Gateway Services
Limited, Cotecna’s subsidiary in Ghana, as well as to
two other state bodies, for their exceptional services
rendered to the country’s administration. Cotecna
is the only inspection company to have obtained
this prize.
NIGERIA
Cotecna is popular with an industry body
At its 40th annual general meeting, the Manufacturers
Association of Nigeria presented Cotecna with an
award for the quality of its services. Cotecna’s col-
laboration with all Association members, as well as
its contribution to the country’s development and
industrial growth, were also recognized.
Cotecna’s expertise is recognized worldwide
by all players in government administrations,
Customs authorities and the commercial sector.
For the past 39 years, the company’s experience
in Testing, Inspection and Certifi cation (TIC) has
ensured contractual and regulatory conformity
for a wide range of commodities, including agri-
cultural products, metals and minerals, as well
as consumer goods and other merchandise.
The services supplied by Cotecna guarantee
Customs revenue based on the true value of the
goods, and make it easier to detect imports that
are prohibited, restricted or controlled. Cotecna
also facilitates lawful cross-border commercial
exchanges through the introduction of new
technologies and effi cient processing.
Working closely with Customs authorities,
Cotecna supplies IT solutions for assessment,
classifi cation and risk management, and pro-
vides training programs to ensure the quality
and eff ectiveness of services and personnel.
Cotecna also offers bespoke trade finance
services.
The company is constantly developing its net-
work of accredited testing laboratories around
the world, particularly in South America, Europe
and Asia.
Objectives - Facilitate world trade through tailor-made
solutions
- Speed up the Customs clearance process
- Ensure the application of the international
regulations and directives in force
- Secure and improve Customs revenues
- Capacity building for Customs authorities
through training and the transfer of skills and
technology
- Reduce the possibilities of fraud, tax evasion and
tariff discrimination
- Strengthen national security (ports, airports and
border crossings)
- Support the fight against international terrorism
- Protect consumers by ensuring the contractual
conformity of consumer goods
- Detect fraudulent or counterfeit merchandise
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | 17
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
DESTINATION INSPECTION (DI)Cotecna was the first company to offer Destination
Inspection services in 1999. Today, it is an
acknowledged leader in this field, offering tailor-
made solutions to help Customs’ capacity building
in the inspection of goods when they arrive in their
destination country.
Services - Physical inspection
- Non-intrusive inspection (scanner imaging)
- Computerized Risk Management System
(CRMS®)
- Document review
- Valuation of goods for payable duties and taxes
- Tariff classification
PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION (PSI)Since 1984, Cotecna has been supplying pre-ship-
ment inspection services on every continent. As one
of the leading players in the market for services to
governments, Cotecna offers customized solutions
to meet the special needs of Customs departments
and, in addition, contributes to the improvement of
Customs procedures.
Services
- Physical inspection
- Document review
- Valuation of goods for payable duties and taxes
- Tariff classification
SCANNER SERVICESCotecna was the first private sector company to
invest in scanner imaging technology for con-
tainer inspection services. This solution permits
non-intrusive inspection of freight, thus helping
to reduce port congestion while detecting fraud.
Our solutions are available within the framework
of a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) or technical
assistance and consultancy services.
Services - Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contracts
- Feasibility studies and consultancy
- Assistance with scanner purchase,
implementation, operation and maintenance
- Training and capacity building
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 18
ELECTRONIC TRANSIT MONITORING SYSTEM – COTRACK® Cotrack® is a remote monitoring solution devel-
oped by Cotecna to strengthen the capacity of
Customs to control transit traffic and to com-
bat fraud effectively, while at the same time
facilitating commercial exchanges. Cotrack®
is based on the use of leading edge technolo-
gies in terms of GPS, telecommunications and
information graphics.
Services - Technical feasibility services
- Implementation of control solutions during
transit operations
- Training and capacity building
- Technical assistance and maintenance
COMPUTERIZED RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CRMS®)A perfect complement to Cotecna’s other services,
Computerized Risk Management System is an inno-
vative solution for analysing commercial operations
and recommending the appropriate level of Customs
intervention in relation to the fraud risk and the avail-
ability of human and material resources.
CRMS® uniquely combines random and selective cri-
teria with an econometric analysis and risk assess-
ment model. The system calculates the probability
of fraud by concentrating on the goods at risk, an
approach which speeds up the importation proce-
dure and encourages conformity.
Services - Feasibility studies
- Examination of Customs procedures connected
with risk management and scanners
- Establishment of risk management committees
- Establishment of national databases on fraud
- Adaptation of solutions to the context and the
Customs targets
- Deployment of solutions on a pilot site and
subsequently at national level
- Customs training
- Technical assistance and maintenance
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | 19
CUSTOMS VALUATION – VALUEQUEST®
ValueQuest® is a complete modular software
package allowing governments and Customs ser-
vices to verify the accuracy of the declared value
of the goods. Designed in close cooperation with
the Customs authorities, it helps them meet their
requirements with reference to the implementa-
tion of the WTO agreements on Customs valu-
tion. ValueQuest® is a solution which promotes the
transfer of skills in valuation and facilitates the fight
against commercial fraud.
Services - Building of a dedicated national valuation
database for Customs
- Customization of software applications to local
regulatory texts
- Training of users and capacity building
- Technical assistance and maintenance
- Additional services for the verification of
transaction existence and enquiries
ELECTRONIC SINGLE WINDOW An average Customs transaction involves 20-30 dif-
ferent parties, 40 documents, 200 data elements
which are repeated at least 30 times and rekeying
of 60-70% of all data at least once.
Electronic Single Window Solutions from Cotecna
brings the entire international trading community
together in one single access point to accelerate and
secure the clearing process for goods.
Cotecna combines its operational expertise with
strong partnerships and solid technology suppliers.
Services - Feasibility studies
- Reengineering of processes and procedures
- Up to 100% financing in PPP (Public/Private
Partnership)
- Customization of the solutions to stakeholders
objectives and the local context
- Operation of Electronic Single Window solution
- Technical assistance and maintenance
- Training and capacity building
- Full transfer of the solutions in the frame of BOT
contracts
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 20
POST-CLEARANCE VERIFICATION (PCVS) Cotecna has developed a tailor-made set of services
for verification and capacity-building with the aim of
supporting the Customs authorities in their efforts to
apply the Kyoto convention and the SAFE standards
of the World Customs Organisation relating to risk
management and the facilitation of trade.
Cotecna’s post-clearance verification services are
based on our ValueQuest® software package, a com-
plete and customisable system to verify the accuracy
of the tariff position and declared value of the goods.
They also include CRMS®, our Computerized Risk
Management System, which analyses commercial
transactions in order to assign them an appropriate
level of intervention.
Services - Document check and investigation
- Analysis of Customs value for duties and taxes
payable
- Tariff classification
- Establishment of a transactional database
- Computerized Risk Management System
(CRMS®)
- Technical assistance
- Production of reports
VERIFICATION OF CONFORMITY (VOC)
Cotecna’s Verification of Conformity services help to
ensure that international trade products satisfy re-
commended international standards. In this way, the
company supports consumer protection by detect-
ing fraudulent goods and encouraging transparency
when issuing Certificates of Conformity.
Services - Document verification
- Physical inspection
- Sampling for laboratory analyses
- Laboratory conformity testing
- Drawing up Certificates of Conformity (CoC)
recognized in the destination country
- Conformity audits and assessments
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | 21
COMMODITIESServices - Loading and discharge supervision operations
- Vessel hatch and hold inspection. Water tightness
- Ship certification validity
- Draft survey and tank gauging
- Supervision of weighing / tally control
- Visual control and report on condition
- Contractual sampling
- Sample preparation and sealing
- Laboratory testing and analyses
- Traceability and identity preservation
Agricultural products
Cotecna has a worldwide network of specialists
and laboratories at the disposal of shippers, trad-
ers and government organizations to assess the
quality, quantity and integrity of their products. The
company offers its services to every segment of the
market, from cereals to pulses via oilseeds, feed-
stuffs, liquid cargoes, sugar, fibers, fruits, coffee,
fertilizers and more.
Metals and minerals
Our on-site, independent inspection services for fer-
rous and non-ferrous metals, coal, ores and other
minerals, concentrates, and scrap metal help to pre-
serve the interests of our customers. Our analyses
make it possible to determine, among other things,
the properties of products, their tolerance of humid-
ity and their particle size distribution.
Full Outturn Guarantee (FOG)
In partnership with first class insurers, Cotecna pro-
vides customers with a guarantee against the pos-
sible shortage of goods which may occur between
their loading in the point of origin and unloading at
destination. The customer is compensated if a dif-
ference should occur.
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 22
CONSUMER GOODS Services - Raw material quality control
- Initial production inspection
- During production inspection
- Final random inspection
- Pre-shipment inspection
- Loading supervision
- Factory audit and social audits
- Laboratory testing
- Product conformity testing
Manufactured products
By offering a full range of services including product
inspection, process evaluation and technical assis-
tance, the Cotecna network of experts ensures that
the product conforms with the customer’s specifi-
cation, or the standards in force, and that it can be
used in complete safety.
www.cotecna-inspection.com
Cotecna has developed a sophisticated and user-
friendly website guiding customers through all steps
of inspection for consumer goods. Customers can
order inspections directly on-line.
LABORATORIESCotecna has a global network of laboratories cer-
tified to national and international standards that
offer testing services for grains, cereal products,
feedstuffs, vegetable oils and consumer goods such
as toys.
We also provide quality certificates on the basis of
the results presented by independent and accred-
ited laboratories (e.g. Gafta and FOSFA for agricul-
tural products).
TRADE FINANCE SERVICES Cotecna’s mission in the field of trade finance ser-
vices is to assist borrowers and lenders in set-
ting up cost effective yet solid, Basle II compliant
financing structures. Services include the moni-
toring of the collateral at any stage of the financed
transactions, local custody and handling of titles
or other documentation related to the goods, and
other specific interventions.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | 23
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
Vestalis®
Vestalis® is an in-house web based application
developed by Cotecna to serve the customer in the
Trade Finance Services sector allowing borrowers
and banks access to their contracts in real time.
The access is secured by a personal password and
login and communications are encrypted.
E-dox®
Cotecna has developed E-dox®, a state-of-the-art
solution to issue e-documents that are fully compli-
ant with eUCP600 requirements. The E-dox® solu-
tion enables the transmission of e-certificates by
email instead of the traditional paper certificates,
and significantly speeds up and secures the process
of transmitting such documents.
AFFILIATIONS, ACCREDITATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS The Cotecna group and its subsidiaries are certified
and/or officially accredited by national and interna-
tional organizations. This guarantees professional
standards practiced by each entity in the Group, in
the fields of inspection, testing and the verification
of systems management.
Cotecna is also a member of the International
Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA), whose
mission is to examine and improve the methods,
standards, safety procedures and rules used
by its members to benefit themselves and their
customers.
Many Cotecna entities are individual members of
bodies guaranteeing compliance with trade stand-
ards in specific fields. These bodies include IFIA,
FOFSA, Gafta, IFA and SAL.
ISO/IEC 17020
Cotecna is one of the few companies in the TIC
industry to benefit from ISO/IEC 17020:1998 world-
wide accreditation for its Verification of Conformity
(VoC) ser vice. Issued by the United Kingdom
Accreditation Service (UKAS), this quality label
covers all the company’s inspection structures. It is
an acknowledgement of Cotecna’s capacity to evalu-
ate the conformity of products in relation to a set of
defined criteria, whether national or international
standards, or the particular conditions stipulated
by individual companies. The Quality Management
System of this standard is assured by four regional
offices – Buenos Aires, Dubai, Singapore and
Geneva – all under the direct supervision of the
Group’s head office. Furthermore, some offices
have received individual ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation
for their national service. Cotecna’s Shanghai office
is the latest to have been awarded this certification.
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 24
ISO/IEC Guide 65
Our Dubai office received ISO/IEC 65:2005 accredi-
tation from the Emirates National Accreditation
System (ENAS). It is now recognized as a certification
body working to regional and international standards
on specific products and merchandise.
Gafta, FOSFA and ISO/IEC 17025
Our international network of laboratories is certified
to national and/or international standards: Gafta and
FOSFA for laboratories specializing in the testing of
agricultural products, and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for
those carrying out tests on other raw materials. The
most recently accredited laboratories in this field are
Santos and Paranaguá in Brazil, Rostov in Russia
and Chennai in India.
National accreditations
Cotecna possesses many accreditations awarded
by national bodies for the inspection of agricultural
products, foodstuffs, consumer goods and indus-
trial products. For example, Cotecna is accredited
by SENASA in Argentina for the inspection and cer-
tification of cereal products destined for export.
Transparency International
Cotecna is a member of Transparency International
Switzerland (TI), a global civil society organization
leading the fight against corruption. It units peo-
ple through an international coalition that works to
end the devastating impact of corruption on men,
women and children around the world.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | 25
By supporting government agencies in the
control and monitoring of products and goods,
Cotecna makes an effective contribution to
the economic and social development of the
countries in which it conducts its activities,
particularly the developing countries.
While protecting tax and Customs revenues,
Cotecna simultaneously creates jobs and off ers
work to local suppliers. At the same time, our
company helps to maintain internal security
by preventing the importation of counterfeit
medicines, dangerous toys and illegal arms.
The use of modern processes further helps to
reduce the environmental impact and to assist
governments in achieving international targets
such as the Millennium Development Goals.
The social contributions made by Cotecna
extend far beyond the company’s commercial
activities and include many charitable actions.
The natural extension of a corporate philosophy
based on integrity, confi dentiality and transpar-
ency, its commitments are concentrated in the
fi elds of water, health and education. They are
also manifested as the occasion arises through
emergency aid in the event of natural disasters.
WATER, HEALTH AND EDUCATION
« AROUND THE WORLD, COTECNA
IS COMMITTED TO OFFERING COMMUNITIES,
IN COUNTRIES WHERE WE WORK,
A BETTER FUTURE. »
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | 27
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY
WORLDWIDE
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 28
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
RUSSIA
CUBA
PHILIPPINES
JAPAN
HAITI
PAKISTAN
INDIA/NEPAL
BULGARIASWITZERLAND
Health WaterFood supplies Education
IN AFRICA
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | 29
SENEGAL
TOGO
BENIN
NIGERIA
CONGO
ANGOLA
MADAGASCAR
NIGERMALI
BURKINA FASO
TANZANIA
RWANDA
BUSINESS ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE
Cotecna is committed to professional excellence.
As a company, we believe that our contractual
and business obligations can only be fulfi lled
through uncompromising dedication to our
customers’ requirements and by adopting the
highest professional and ethical standards in all
we do. This constitutes our business promise.
For this reason, Cotecna has implemented a
Business Ethics and Compliance programme
throughout its network of offices. At the heart of the
programme is the Business Ethics and Compliance
Code. The Code’s principles and rules apply to all
Group activities, and include standards for technical
and professional conduct in the following areas:
- Integrity
- Conflicts of interest
- Confidentiality
- Prevention of bribery
- Ethical marketing and fair competition
Most importantly, we place business ethics and com-
pliance above all commercial considerations. To
ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of our
Code, we subject our Business Ethics and Compliance
programme to an annual independent assessment
conducted by the company’s external auditors.
COMMITTEESThe Compliance Committee was established in
2004 and comprises a non-executive Chairmanship
held by one of the non-executive Board members,
the Company Compliance Officer and the Chief
Executive Officer, as well as management repre-
sentatives from the operational, legal, and human
resources departments.
The Compliance Committee conducts peri-
odic reviews of Cotecna’s Business Ethics and
Compliance Programme throughout the Group and
provides policy guidance to the Boards on com-
pliance-related matters. As part of its remit, the
Compliance Committee also reviews the appoint-
ment of business partners and key suppliers.
Regular reports on the activities of the Compliance
Committee, which met eight times in 2012, are sub-
mitted to the Boards of Directors.
Although there are currently no other committees,
the Boards may establish them on an ad hoc basis
for specific tasks, if and when it determines them
to be necessary.
The complete Cotecna Business Ethics and Compliance
Code can be viewed on our website at www.cotecna.comwww.cotecna.com
[email protected] – Helpline: +41 22 849 78 14
Issued by the Group Board of Directors – January 2010
INTEGRITYCONFLICTS OF
INTERESTCONFIDENTIALITY ANTI-BRIBERY FAIR MARKETING
BUSINESS ETHICS & COMPLIANCE PRINCIPLES
In all our activites we:
• Operate in a professional,
independent and impartial
manner
• Carry out our work honestly and
do not tolerate any deviation
from our approved methods and
procedures
• Ensure that where approved
test methods make provision
for tolerances in results, such
tolerances are not abused to alter
the actual test findings
• Report data, test results and
other material facts in good faith
and we do not improperly change
them
• Only issue reports and certificates
that correctly present the actual
findings, professional opinions or
results obtained
We avoid conflicts of interest:
• With any related entity in which
we have a financial or commercial
interest and to which we are
required to provide services
• Between Cotecna’s companies
and/or divisions engaged in
different activities but which may
be providing services to either the
same client or each other
• Between our employees’ interests
and those of Cotecna
We treat all information received in
the course of the provision of our
services as business confidential to
the extent that such information is
not:
• Already published
• Generally available to third parties
• In the public domain
We prohibit:
• The offer or acceptance of a bribe
in any form, including kickbacks
on any portion of a contract
payment
• The use of other routes or
channels for provision of
improper benefits to, or the
receipt of improper benefits from,
customers, agents, contractors,
suppliers or employees of any
such party or government officials
We only present Cotecna and
conduct marketing, including
comparisons with competitors or
their services, in a manner that is:
• Truthful
• Not deceptive
• Not misleading or likely to
mislead
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 31
INTERNALCONTROL
The Boards of Directors are responsible for the inter-
nal controls throughout the Group. These controls
are formalised in a documented Internal Control
System conforming to NAS 890 (Swiss Auditing
Standard) and are designed to give reasonable
assurance regarding the efficiency and effectiveness
of operations, the maintenance of proper accounting
records, the reliability of financial information and
compliance with applicable laws, regulations and
internal procedures.
The Boards’ internal control systems includes a
periodic risk analysis, a documented organizational
structure, defined authority limits for management,
the implementation of key controls throughout the
Group and the regular review of financial and opera-
tional information.
A dedicated Internal Audit function, reporting to the
Boards, conducts periodic financial and operational
audits throughout the Group. The Internal Audit
Manager communicates key results to the Boards of
Directors and detailed results to the Chief Executive
Officer, to the Executive management and to regional
and national management.
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 32
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Cotecna has been certified ISO 9001
for 10 years!
The Cotecna Quality Management System
(QMS) and the Group Certifi cation Program were
introduced ten years ago. Since then, nearly all
offi ces affi liated to the Group have been certifi ed.
AUDITS CONDUCTED IN 2012 Our recent Group certification, ISO 9001:2008,
received in 2012, covers more than 40 of our affili-
ated companies throughout the world. Our QMS
audits comply not only with ISO 9001 but also with
the Compliance Code drawn up by the International
Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA), of which
Cotecna is a member.
In 2012, only the Bangkok entity (Thailand) obtained
this certification; the other main entities are already
certified. In addition, and likewise in terms of Group
certification, several affiliated entities have satis-
fied the terms of another audit: Cotonou (Benin),
London (UK), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Durban
(South Africa), Alexandria (Egypt), and Moscow and
Rostov (Russia).
In 2012, a number of quality managers and qual-
ity representatives successfully completed the IRCA
Lead Auditor course. Improvements were made in
the internal systems for the exchange of knowledge
and information between Group quality managers
and staff worldwide.
ISO 9001 AND GAFTAIn terms of the Group’s ISO 9001:2008 certifica-
tion program, nine units in the Commercial division
fulfilled the ISO requirements, as well as two Gafta
rules, 123 and 124, covering monitoring, sampling
and weighing. These include Alexandria (Egypt) as
well as Moscow and Rostov (Russia). Three more of
our offices will be audited in 2013.
LOOKING AHEADIn 2013, the Group’s headquarters in Geneva will be
audited again in line with ISO 9001:2008, while other
offices in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas are
currently preparing for further audits as part of our
Group certification program.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 33
GROUP STRUCTURE
Holding
Services for Governments
Services for theCommercial sector
COTECNA SACotecna SA is the Group’s Swiss, non-listed
holding company. The Group’s main operat-
ing companies are Cotecna Inspection SA and
Cotecna Trade Services SA and their subsidi-
ary companies.
Capital
Cotecna SA has a share capital of CHF 2 000 000
divided into 4 000 bearer shares of CHF 500 each.
Shareholders
All the company’s shares are held by members of
the Massey Family.
Remuneration
The remuneration of members of the Board is
determined by the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders.
Company Financial Accounts
Consolidated Cotecna SA accounts are prepared
each year in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS). The annual budget and
3-year plan are the outcome of an in-depth review
process, and monthly performance reviews are
undertaken by the management.
Auditors
Cotecna SA’s auditors are KPMG.
Board of Directors
Arlette Massey
Chairperson
Robert Massey
Director
Philippe Massey
Director
Georges Massey
Director
Claude Béglé
Non-Executive Director
Dan Kerpelman
Non-Executive Director
Thierry de Loriol
Non-Executive Director
The members of the Board are nominated by the
Annual General Meeting for a term of office of
one year.
The role of the Board of Cotecna SA is to ensure
the protection and development of the Cotecna SA
portfolio of investments, principally Cotecna
Inspection SA and Cotecna Trade Services SA and
their respective subsidiary companies.
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 34
Arlette Massey
Dan Kerpelman Thierry de Loriol
Claude Béglé Georges Massey
Philippe MasseyRobert Massey
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 35
COTECNA INSPECTION SACotecna Inspection SA is the Group’s main
operational subsidiary in the fi eld of government
services. Group Services are also placed under
Cotecna Inspection SA.
Board of Directors
Arlette Massey
Chairperson
Robert Massey
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Philippe Massey
Director
Claude Béglé
Non-Executive Director
Thierry de Loriol
Non-Executive Director
The Cotecna Inspection SA Board of Directors
focuses primarily on the strategic management of
the company’s institutional activities.
The members of the Board are nominated by
the Annual General Meeting for a term of office of
one year.
Chief Executive Officer
The Board of Directors delegates the operational
management of Cotecna Inspection SA to Robert
Massey, who has been Chief Executive Officer since
January 1993.
Cotecna Inspection’s ISO 9001:2008 Quality
Management Systems defines the Company’s oper-
ating framework.
Remuneration
The remuneration of members of the Board is
determined by the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders.
Executive Committee at 31 December 2012
Robert Massey
Chief Executive Officer
Serge Depallens
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
Jean-Michel Caffin
Executive Vice President – Head of Global
Business Development
Haja Rajaonarivo
Senior Vice President – Human Resources
Didier Reymond
Executive Vice President – Contract Management
Tyrone Taylor
Executive Vice President – Contract Management
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 36
Group Services
Nicolas Billot
Senior Vice President – CITT (Information
Technology & Telecommunications)
Alison Bourgeois
Vice President – Corporate Communications
Antoine Chavan
Senior Vice President – Legal Department
Serge Depallens
Executive Vice President – Finance &
Administration
Pierre-Olivier Pellegrin
Senior Vice President – Security & Inspection
Technology
Adrian Walker
Group Compliance Officer – Compliance &
Internal Audit
COTECNA TRADE SERVICES SACotecna Trade Services SA is the principal sub-
sidiary of Cotecna SA focusing on commercial
activities, mainly for private customers.
Board of Directors
Robert Massey
President
Dan Kerpelman
Vice President
Philippe Massey
Director
The Quality Management System ISO 9001:2008 of
Cotecna Trade Services SA defines the company’s
operating framework.
Executive Committee at 31 December 2012
Serge Depallens
General Manager
Matthieu Delorme
Chief Operating Officer
Marc Hoffer
Vice President – Asia (since 7 January 2013)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 37
COTECNA WORKFORCECotecna’s overall worldwide workforce remained
relatively stable in 2012. Fluctuations were mainly
due to contract developments and structural
changes in the company, which resulted in a slight
decrease in numbers. Reductions were notably due
to the ceasing of our scanners business in Peru. In
addition, reclassification of business in Africa led
us to remove several dozen posts from our payroll.
These declines were mostly offset by the growth
in our business in Asia and Eastern Europe, with
appointments of inspectors, laboratory specialists
and sales staff. New contracts in Gabon and El
Salvador, as well as the rapid growth of Cotecna
Trade Services, will lead to the creation of several
hundred posts throughout the Group in 2013.
EMPLOYEES AT 31 DECEMBER
2007 2 578
2008 2 754
2009 2 371
2010 2 255
2011 2 262
2012 2 233
EMPLOYEES BY GEOGRAPHICAL REGION AT 31 DECEMBER 2012
Geneva 99
Europe 217
Africa 1 113
Americas 363
Asia 383
Middle East 58
Total 2 233
COTECNA AGENTSCotecna has a worldwide network of around 1 500
agents and experienced representatives, often in
countries where the Group does not have sub-
sidiaries or joint venture partners. They have all
been carefully selected and work under continuous
control on the basis of methodologies, techniques
and procedures laid down by Cotecna, including
quality audits.
HUMAN RESOURCES
COTECNA | ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 | 38
With over 100 offices established around the
world and a total workforce of more than 4 000
employees and agents, Cotecna can rightly call
itself an international company. 25 nationalities
are represented at the Group’s head offices in
Geneva, and this cultural diversity can also to be
found, in the field where the company attaches
high importance to skills development at the local
and regional levels.
Alongside these many different origins, languages
and cultures, Cotecna benefits from a wide range of
expertise. The company places great importance on
maintaining and developing these diverse skills by
aligning its training programs with its strategy, by
encouraging individual development, and by prepar-
ing the next generation to take up the challenges of
the TIC industry.
In 2012, Cotecna continued to strengthen the
links it maintains with its local entities, redeploy-
ing management skills by country and by region.
The aim is to get closer to the customer base, to
increase proactive responses to new demands
and to ensure ever closer cooperation between
head office and its partner companies. As part of
the Group’s drive for growth and consolidation,
the same movement has taken place in the com-
mercial department, in order to offer more local,
more responsive services and to be able rapidly to
meet the specific needs of customers. This decen-
tralization of skills, which has enabled Cotecna to
adapt to each region, also extends to the Group’s
IT systems, which ensure that day-to-day business
is handled efficiently, in real time.
WORLDWIDE PRESENCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 39
WORLDWIDE PRESENCE
AFRICAANGOLA↘ Luanda ↘ Cabinda ↘ Cunene/Santa
Clara ↘ Kuando-Kubango/
Katwitwi (2013)↘ Lobito ↘ Namibe
BENIN↘ Cotonou
BURKINA FASO↘ Ouagadougou
CHAD↘ N’djamena
CONGO↘ Pointe-Noire ↘ Brazzaville
GABON↘ Libreville
GHANA↘ Accra ↘ Takoradi↘ Tema
NIGER↘ Niamey ↘ Dan Issa ↘ Gaya ↘ Konni ↘ Magaria ↘ Maradi ↘ Matameye ↘ Torodi ↘ Zinder
NIGERIA↘ Lagos ↘ Abuja↘ Apapa↘ Banki ↘ Jibiya ↘ Kano ↘ Tincan Ashaye ↘ Tincan RoRo
SENEGAL↘ Dakar
SOUTH AFRICA
↘ Durban ↘ Johannesburg
TOGO
↘ Lome ↘ Cinkasse ↘ Kodjoviakope↘ Sanvee Kondji↘ Zongo
AMERICASARGENTINA
↘ Buenos Aires↘ San Lorenzo
BOLIVIA
↘ Santa Cruz
BRAZIL
↘ Sao Paulo ↘ Aratu ↘ Itacoatiara ↘ Paranaguá ↘ Rio Grande ↘ Santos ↘ Sao Francisco Do Sul↘ Vitória
COLOMBIA
↘ Santafe De Bogota ↘ Buenaventura↘ Cartagena↘ Medellín↘ Zipaquirá
ECUADOR
↘ Guayaquil ↘ Cuenca ↘ Esmeraldas ↘ Machala↘ Manta↘ Quito
EL SALVADOR
↘ San Salvador
UNITED STATES
↘ Houston
URUGUAY
↘ Nueva Palmira
ASIACHINA↘ Shanghai ↘ Beijing ↘ Guangzhou ↘ Qingdao
HONG KONG↘ Hong Kong
INDIA↘ Mumbai ↘ Chennai↘ Goa↘ Hyderabad↘ Indore↘ Joda/Barbil↘ Kakinada↘ Kandla↘ Kolkata↘ Krishnapatnam↘ Ludhiana↘ Mundra↘ New Delhi↘ Tuticorin↘ Visakhapatnam
INDONESIA↘ Jakarta
JAPAN↘ Tokyo
PHILIPPINES↘ Makati City
SINGAPORE↘ Singapore
SOUTH KOREA↘ Seoul
THAILAND↘ Bangkok↘ Sri Racha
VIET NAM↘ Ho Chi Minh City
EUROPEFRANCE↘ Orvault ↘ Rouen
GERMANY↘ Düsseldorf
ITALY↘ Milan
KAZAKHSTAN↘ Astana
PORTUGAL↘ Porto
RUSSIAN
FEDERATION↘ Moscow↘ Astrakhan↘ Azov↘ Makhachkala ↘ Murmansk↘ Nakhodka↘ Novorossiysk↘ Rostov-On-Don↘ Saint-Petersburg↘ Taganrog↘ Taman↘ Tuapse↘ Vladivostok↘ Volgograd ↘ Vyborg↘ Yeisk
SPAIN↘ Barcelona↘ Tarragona
SWITZERLAND↘ Geneva
TURKEY↘ Istanbul ↘ Gemlik↘ Iskenderun↘ Izmir ↘ Mersin
UKRAINE↘ Odessa
UNITED KINGDOM↘ Hounslow
MIDDLE EASTEGYPT ↘ Alexandria ↘ Cairo
IRAQ↘ Baghdad↘ Abu Folos↘ Al Waleed↘ Khour El Zobair↘ Maakal↘ Monzareya↘ Rabiaa↘ Safwan↘ Shalamja↘ Sheeb↘ Tribeel↘ Um Qasar↘ Zerbatya
JORDAN↘ Amman
SAUDI ARABIA↘ Al Khobar
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES↘ Dubai↘ Abu Dhabi
Cotecna SA
Rue de la Terrassière 58P.O. Box 6155, 1211 Geneva 6
SwitzerlandTel. +41 22 849 69 00Fax +41 22 849 69 89
Cotecna Corporate CommunicationsApril 2013 – [email protected]
Content, concept & design by blossom communicationwww.blossom-com.ch
Photo creditsCotecna (pages 11, 12, 19)
11mm (pages 2, 13)Oliver O’Hanlon (pages 5, 6, 7, 35)
iStockphoto (pages 8, 16, 20, 22, 30)Fotolia (page 26)
Marc Roger (page 32)Raphael Olivier (pages 17, 33)
Gateway Services Limited (pages 15, 21)Mike Omoruyi - Bolamik Ventures (page 18)
www.cotecna.com