Universal Registration Document 2025

Board of directors

4.4.1.2 Impacts related to ethics and business conduct issues

The impacts related to these issues are internal and external. The smooth running of the Company is based on sharing ethical values and behaviors with all employees, and conducting business with both clients and suppliers in accordance with high standards. These elements form the basis of the common culture that is imposed on all employees and allows the Company to grow and gain its clients’ trust. The Janus Code of Conduct and Ethics clearly sets out the principles that apply to everyone in the Company.

4.4.1.3 Risks related to ethics and business conduct issues

There are several types of risks, such as jeopardizing the relationship with customers and loss of confidence in business conduct, whether for employees or all players in the value chain, with a reputational risk. Non-compliance with the Groupe’s ethics rules may result in immediate sanctions, including dismissal. More detailed information is provided in Chapter 2 of this document on the risks of litigation and governmental, legal and arbitration proceedings. With the double materiality analysis, the following emerges:

  1. Corruption risks, bribery and fraud. These risks are subject to a specific mapping, as explained in Chapter 2 of this document.
  2. The portfolio of clients, if some of them have problematic actions, could alter the appeal of the Company to future talent. Publicis has always supported its clients in periods of strong transition, as is the case today, both in ecological terms and in technological terms with the massive arrival of Generative AI.
  3. With the increase in cyber risks, a cybersecurity risk mapping has been completed to better measure the impact of these threats on the Company’s activities. The issue is not only about data protection and security, but also about issues of intellectual property protection, which is exposed with Generative AI tools. Employee training is key to ensuring compliance with best protection practices.
  4. All of the Groupe’s activities are digital. The robustness of IT infrastructures is essential to complete projects for clients, and for the Company to function. The growing use of cloud services brings great operational efficiency but could present a risk if one of these providers were to fail.
4.4.1.4 Opportunities related to ethics and business conduct issues

Opportunities are essentially based on two aspects: on the one hand, client satisfaction with regard to the behavior of the entities and employees who work alongside them; and on the other hand, the satisfaction of employees who appreciate their working environment and the shared culture. It is therefore a factor that attracts both clients and employees, and it also contributes to customer and employee loyalty. Publicis Groupe has always been firm on ethical issues, which are strongly anchored in the Company’s values. They are publicly accessible to stakeholders through the Janus Code of Conduct and Ethics on the Groupe’s website.