The Electrolux Control System (ECS) has been developed to ensure accurate and reliable financial reporting and preparation of financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting principles and other requirements for listed companies. The ECS adds value through clarified roles and responsibilities, improved process efficiency, increased risk awareness and improved decision support.
The ECS is based on the Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The five components of this framework are control environment, risk assessment, control activities, monitor and improve and inform and communicate.
The foundation for the ECS is the control environment, which determines the individual and collective behavior within the Group. It is defined by policies and procedures, manuals, and codes, and enforced by the organizational structure of Electrolux with clear responsibility and authority based on collective values.
The Electrolux Board has overall responsibility for establishing an effective system of internal control. Responsibility for maintaining effective internal controls is delegated to the President. The governance structure of the Group is described on page 142. Specifically for financial reporting, the Board has established an Audit Committee, which assists in overseeing relevant policies and important accounting principles applied by the Group.
The limits of responsibilities and authorities are given in instructions for delegation of authority, manuals, policies and procedures, and codes, including the Electrolux Code of Ethics, the Electrolux Workplace Code of Conduct, and
the Electrolux Policy on Corruption and Bribery, as well as in policies for information, finance and credit, and in the accounting manual. Together with laws and external regulations, these internal guidelines form the control environment and all Electrolux employees are held accountable for compliance.
All entities within the Electrolux Group must maintain adequate internal controls. As a minimum requirement, control activities should address key risks identified within the Group. Group Management have the ultimate responsibility for internal controls within their areas of responsibility. Group Management is described on pages 154–155.
The ECS Program Office, a department within the Internal Audit function, has developed the methodology and is responsible for maintaining the ECS. To ensure timely completion of these activities, specific roles aligned with the company structure, with clear responsibilities regarding internal control, have been assigned within the Group.
Accounting principles and reporting instructions for the Group ‘s reporting entities are contained in the Electrolux Accounting Manual. The Accounting Manual is mandatory for all reporting units.
Rules for customer assessment and credit risk that clarify responsibilities and are the framework for credit decisions.
Details the approval rights, with monetary, volume or other appropriate limits, e.g., approval of credit limits and credit notes.
Details responsibility for internal controls. Controls should address the Minimum Internal Control Requirements (MICR) within every applicable process, for example “Order to Cash”.
Minimum standards in the area of environment, health and safety, labor standards and human rights. The Workplace Code of Conduct is mandatory for Electrolux units as well as suppliers.