Placing the consumer back at the heart of decision-making and customer satisfaction—the core missions of NOVUSVIA SARL (hereinafter NOVUSVIA)—is based on a commitment to ethical values, from which the company’s operating principles and activities as a whole are derived.

The pursuit of excellence in the services provided reflects the essential role of NOVUSVIA. It requires an open mind, rigour, and meets the requirements of integrity and fairness.

Responsibility towards clients, society and the environment stems from the mandate entrusted to NOVUSVIA. Legal autonomy imposes a responsibility towards the client base of which NOVUSVIA is a part. This gives rise to duties and obligations within this client base.

Respect for the individual entails NOVUSVIA’s responsibility towards anyone called upon in any capacity to contribute to its mission, whether as a subject or an object. This involves treating the various members of society fairly and fostering an internal environment conducive to the fulfilment of this mission.

This charter applies to the whole of the company NOVUSVIA, including employees, partners, administrative and technical staff, as well as those whose status relates to part-time or ancillary work.

By adhering to this charter, every member and/or partner of the company ensures the legitimacy and respect of all the achievements and actions of NOVUSVIA.

1. THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY

1.1 The pursuit of quality cannot be conceived without the exercise of critical thinking. NOVUSVIA encourages the discussion of the knowledge and services it generates and disseminates.

1.2 The pursuit of quality requires competence, critical observation of facts, prior experimentation, the comparison of viewpoints, and the reliability of sources. It depends closely on the rigour of the methods employed, as a prerequisite for obtaining results that meet criteria of objectivity, impartiality and quality

1.3 Everyone involved in any capacity is required to demonstrate integrity in the work they undertake and in the presentation of results.

1.4 The contributions of any person who has played a significant role in the design and implementation of a project are acknowledged in a spirit of fairness. Similarly, partners clearly acknowledge the contributions of others to their work, subject to prior authorisation by NOVUSVIA.

1.5 A balanced and fair presentation of different opinions and schools of thought constitutes a significant contribution to the quality of excellence sought, without excluding the expression of critical viewpoints.

2. FREEDOM OF CHOICE

2.1 NOVUSVIA advocates total freedom in all choices of approach and technique. This freedom is essential to the development and sharing of knowledge and tasks, as well as to their transmission. NOVUSVIA and all collaborators and/or partners guarantee respect for this freedom.

2.2 Employees and/or partners must be able to express critical opinions without being subject to censorship or repression, whilst respecting the rights of others.

2.3 Freedom also entails duties. It must be exercised in accordance with the law, the obligations of the Civil Code, the duties of the office, and internal regulations or guidelines, as well as the values of this charter and the ethical standards derived therefrom.

2.4 In practice, freedom is closely linked to the independence of those who claim it, as well as to their personal integrity. In order to preserve this independence, the acceptance of favours, gifts, invitations or benefits in other forms is subject to a duty of transparency.

2.5 Any facts or situations likely to give rise to a conflict of interest, whether of a moral or financial nature, must be declared in all cases. The same applies to all sources of funding or financial situations that are unstable, whether temporarily or otherwise.

2.6 Under no circumstances shall the influence conferred by a position be used for personal gain or to benefit relatives or close associates. All external activities are subject to a duty of loyalty towards NOVUSVIA.

3. RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS NOVUSVIA, SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

3.1 NOVUSVIA’s responsibility is to work towards the promotion of services and the functional and cultural well-being of the community and its clients, in the pursuit of quality and the promotion of excellence, in recognition of the complementarity of disciplines, and in openness to criticism.

3.2 NOVUSVIA and all its members are accountable for their actions. They must be aware of their impact and be able to account for it.

3.3 The utmost care is taken with regard to individuals involved in research projects in the social sciences or life sciences, in order to preserve their autonomy and personal integrity, as well as to ensure their protection against the disclosure of data that could cause them harm.

3.4 Research involving living organisms is conducted in strict compliance with the specific ethical guidelines governing their use.

3.5 In its contractual relations with third parties, NOVUSVIA must be able to demonstrate its adherence to the values set out in this charter, as well as to the ethical standards of operation and conduct it sets forth.

3.6 Within the community, NOVUSVIA’s primary responsibility is to guarantee the quality and trustworthiness of its partners and/or employees, who have been vetted beforehand. The training of any person sent on an assignment is a key objective.

3.7 On the part of NOVUSVIA, this training requires the highest level of competence and a commitment to prioritising originality and objectivity, whilst promoting the transfer of knowledge through the most appropriate educational methods. Naturally, interpersonal skills and professional expertise—essential qualities—are not overlooked.

3.8 The members of NOVUSVIA encourage the sharing of knowledge with as many people as possible. Provided this does not directly prejudice their activities or any client, they ensure that the content is made accessible to staff as widely as possible.

3.9 It is the responsibility of NOVUSVIA to carry out a continuous assessment of the quality of teaching provided, as well as of the curricula and their content. It is also responsible for ensuring that partners comply with the standards and procedures governing their own operations, regardless of the field.

3.10 NOVUSVIA is recognised as having a right to innovation, but it is expected to apply the precautionary principle, to question its own purpose and to consider the potential consequences of its outcomes on society and the environment.

3.11 NOVUSVIA and its members must therefore be able to question potentially dangerous or risky applications.

3.12 Members of NOVUSVIA must demonstrate a willingness to engage with clients. They must use resources wisely and be able to account for their rational and transparent use. They shall refrain from any fraudulent or dishonest acts involving the property, finances and accounts of NOVUSVIA.

3.13 Members of NOVUSVIA shall comply with the laws, standards and regulations that apply to them. They shall uphold the values and ethical standards of this charter in the conduct of their own activities.

4. RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

4.1 All forms of discrimination must be prohibited, whether based on social, religious, ethnic, sexual or other grounds, both in the performance of teaching and research duties and in relations with clients. Particular consideration is given to people in vulnerable situations.

4.2 Similarly, members of NOVUSVIA shall refrain from any behaviour constituting psychological or sexual harassment.

4.3 NOVUSVIA, together with each of its members, is committed to fostering a working environment in which people are treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their roles, responsibilities or position within the hierarchy.

4.4 The same spirit of fairness and respect governs appointment, assessment and recruitment procedures. These procedures are based on criteria of qualification and competence. Where candidates are equally qualified, preference is given to the person belonging to the under-represented gender.

4.5 The organisation and conduct of assignments ensure that clients and employees are treated fairly, based on criteria of objectivity and impartiality.

4.6 Respect for the individual ensures that all contracted members of NOVUSVIA are entitled to fair remuneration for their services, a personalised job description, periodic appraisal and feedback meetings based on transparency and in accordance with appropriate procedures, as well as data confidentiality.

4.7 Academic, administrative and technical managers foster a stimulating working atmosphere and a climate of trust, designed to meet the expectations of their staff and partners regarding professional development and personal fulfilment. They clearly communicate their expectations and do everything possible to ensure that any conflicts are resolved swiftly. They ensure their own ethical conduct, as well as the maintenance of a well-understood collegial atmosphere that allows for the expression of diverse viewpoints and criticism, whilst maintaining mutual respect and recognising the right of others to express their opinions.

4.8 Whatever the situation, NOVUSVIA and any person sent on assignment personally undertake to deliver work of the highest standard, with precision, respect, diligence, interpersonal skills and professional expertise, whilst ensuring confidentiality. In the event of a lack of skills, doubts or questions, a member of the management team at NOVUSVIA or any person designated as responsible must be informed immediately.