1. Purpose of Code of Ethics
The purpose of this Code of Ethics (this "Code") is:
(i) to promote the honest and ethical conduct of our Senior Executive
and Financial Officers (defined below), including the ethical handling
of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and
professional relationships, (ii) to promote full, fair, accurate,
timely and understandable disclosure in periodic reports required
to be filed by with or submitted to the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and in other public communications
by Origin Agritech Limited (together with its subsidiaries and consolidated
PRC entities, the "Company"); (iii) to promote compliance
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations that apply to the
Company and its Senior Executive and Financial Officers; (iv) to
deter wrongdoing; and(v) to promote prompt internal reporting of
breaches of, and accountability for adherence to, this Code.
2. Introduction
This Code is applicable to the Company's chief executive officer,
chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and other executive
officers (or any persons performing similar functions, together,
the "Senior Executive and Financial Officers"). This Code
has been established in accordance with the requirements of Section
406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and certain related SEC rules.
Each Senior Executive and Financial Officer is also subject to the
Company's Code of Conduct, which was adopted in accordance with
applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
While we expect honest and ethical conduct in all aspects of our
business from all of our employees, we expect the highest possible
honest and ethical conduct from our Senior Executive and Financial
Officers. As a Senior Executive or Financial Officer, you are an
example for other employees and we expect you to foster a culture
of transparency, integrity and honesty. Compliance with this Code
is a condition to your employment and any violations of this Code
may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination
of your employment with the Company.
3. Conflicts of Interest.
A conflict of interest occurs when your private
interests interfere, or appear to interfere, in any way, with the
interests of the Company as a whole. Conflicts of interest can also
arise when you or a member of your family have interests that may
make it difficult for you to perform your duties to the Company
effectively. Although we cannot list every conceivable conflict,
the following are some common examples that illustrate actual or
apparent conflicts of interest that should be avoided:
(a) Improper Personal Benefits from the Company
Conflicts of interest arise when a Senior Executive or Financial
Officer or a member of his or her family receives improper personal
benefits from the Company as a result of his or her position in
the Company. You may not accept any benefits from the Company that
have not been duly authorized and approved pursuant to Company policy
and procedure, including any Company loans or guarantees of your
personal obligations.
(b) Financial Interests in Other Businesses
You should avoid having an ownership interest in any other enterprise
if that interest compromises or appears to compromise your loyalty
to the Company. For example, you may not own an interest in a company
that competes with the Company or that does business with the Company
(such as a supplier) unless you obtain the written approval of the
general counsel (or, with respect to the general counsel, approval
by the chief executive officer) before making any such investment.
However, it is not typically considered, and the Company does not
consider it, a conflict of interest (and therefore prior written
approval is not required) to make investments in competitors, clients
or suppliers that are listed on a national or international securities
exchange so long as the total value of the investment is less than
two percent (2%) of the outstanding stock of the competitor, client
or supplier and the amount of the investment is not so significant
that it would affect your business judgment on behalf of the Company.
(c) Business Arrangements with the Company
Without the prior written approval of the Audit Committee of the
Company, you may not participate in a joint venture, partnership
or other business arrangement with the Company.
(d) Corporate Opportunities
If you learn of a business or investment opportunity through the
use of corporate property or information or your position at the
Company, such as from a competitor or actual or potential supplier
or business associate of the Company (including a principal, officer,
director or employee of any of the above), you may not participate
in the business or make the investment without the prior written
approval of the general counsel (or, with respect to the general
counsel, approval by the chief executive officer). Such an opportunity
should be considered an investment opportunity for the Company in
the first instance.
(e) Outside Employment or Activities with a Competitor
Simultaneous employment with, or serving as a director of, a competitor
of the Company is strictly prohibited, as is any activity that is
intended to, or that you should reasonably expect to, advance a
competitor's interests at the expense of the Company's interests.
You may not market products or services in competition with the
Company's current or potential business activities. It is your responsibility
to consult with the general counsel or the chief executive officer
to determine whether a planned activity will compete with any of
the Company's current or potential business activities before you
pursue such activity.
(f) Outside Employment with a Supplier
Without the prior written approval of the general counsel (or, with
respect to the general counsel, approval by the chief executive
officer), you may not be a supplier or be employed by, serve as
a director of or represent a supplier to the Company. Without the
prior written approval of the general counsel (or, with respect
to the general counsel, approval by the chief executive officer),
you may not accept money or benefits of any kind from a third party
as compensation or payment for any advice or services that you may
provide to a client, supplier or anyone else in connection with
its business with the Company.
(g) Family Members Working in the Industry
If your spouse or significant other, your children, parents, or
in-laws, or someone else with whom you have a familial relationship
is a competitor or supplier of Company or is employed by one, you
must disclose the situation to the general counsel (or, with respect
to the general counsel, to the chief executive officer) so that
the Company may assess the nature and extent of any concern and
how it can be resolved. You must carefully guard against inadvertently
disclosing Company confidential information and being involved in
decisions on behalf of the Company that involve the other enterprise.
If you have any doubt as to whether or not conduct would be considered
a conflict of interest, please consult with the general counsel.
4. Accurate Periodic Reports and Other Public Communications.
As you are aware, full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable
disclosure in our periodic reports filed with the SEC and in our
other public communications is required by SEC rules and is essential
to our continued success. Please exercise the highest standard of
care in preparing such materials. We have established the following
guidelines in order to ensure the quality of our periodic reports.
• All Company accounting records, as well as reports produced from
those records, must be kept and presented in accordance with the
laws of each applicable jurisdiction.
• All records must fairly and accurately reflect the transactions
or occurrences to which they relate.
• All records must fairly and accurately reflect in reasonable detail
the Company's assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.
• The Company's accounting records must not contain any false or
intentionally misleading entries.
• No transaction may be intentionally misclassified as to accounts,
departments or accounting periods or in any other manner.
• All transactions must be supported by accurate documentation in
reasonable detail and recorded in the proper account and in the
proper accounting period.
• No information may be concealed from the internal auditors or
the independent auditors.
• Compliance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
U.S. and the Company's system of internal accounting controls is
required at all times.
5. Compliance with Law and this Code, Reporting of Violations
and Accountability.
You are expected to comply with both the letter and spirit of all
applicable laws, rules and regulations and this Code and to report
any suspected violations of applicable laws, rules and regulations
or this Code to the general counsel or the chief executive officer.
No one will be subject to retaliation because of a good faith report
of a suspected violation. If you fail to comply with this Code or
any applicable laws or regulations, you may be subject to disciplinary
measures, up to and including termination of your employment.
6. No Rights Created.
This Code is a statement of certain fundamental principles, policies
and procedures that govern the Company's Senior Executive and Financial
Officers in the conduct of the Company's business. It is not intended
to and does not create any rights in any employee, customer, supplier,
competitor, shareholder or any other person or entity.
7. Amendments.
Amendments to this Code must be in writing and approved by the Board
of Directors. In addition, any exception from or waiver of the Code
may be made only by our Board of Directors and will be disclosed
to the public, in each case, as required by law or the rules of
the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
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