Integrity
The SVB is defined by integrity because we are firmly committed to our standing as an organisation people can trust now and in the future. This means that we are honest, respectful and transparent. We work on our integrity every single day to ensure that people continue to trust us.
Integrity at the SVB
Integrity means that:
- we handle our clients’ data with the utmost care and strictest confidentiality
- we do not make improper use of our clients’ data
- our staff carry out their work correctly and fairly
Integrity is essential to us. Since 1 January 2020, all our staff have civil servant status. This means that they have taken an oath or a pledge to carry out their work with honesty and integrity.
Code of Conduct
The ‘SVB Code of Conduct’ describes the concept of integrity, explains why integrity is so important, and provides our staff with guidelines regarding integrity.
Integrity breaches
A breach of integrity means any conduct that contravenes the rules and arrangements in place at the SVB. These rules and arrangements are set out in the SVB Code of Conduct and in the law.
Examples of breaches of integrity include:
- criminal offences such as theft and fraud
- inappropriate behaviour, for example any act involving the use of abusive language, insults, violence, discrimination, bullying, or sexual or other harassment
- conflict of interest
- abuse of confidential and other information, for example unauthorised access to SVB systems
- misuse of SVB resources
- instances of abuse that have a major impact on the public interest
Reporting integrity breaches
You should report integrity breaches as soon as possible. Where necessary, we will launch an internal investigation. You can schedule an appointment or contact us by email at meldpuntintegriteit@svb.nl.
Accountability with regard to integrity
Every year, the SVB is required to render account for its integrity.
In 2025, the following results were achieved:
- A more accessible, simple and modern integrity policy was rolled out and implemented. Among other things, the updated policy includes a clear reporting procedure for everyone, as well as a clear and independent enshrinement of the integrity coordinator’s role in the organisation. We also believe it is important that is clear to everyone how the organisation ensures that the process for reports and incidents is thorough.
- We created and lauched a new reporting centre: the exernal Integrity Advisory Committee. This committee is in addition to our internal reporting centre and replaces the Ethical Behaviour Committee. The external committee is made up of 6 members who do not work at the SVB.
- Our digital Integrity and Ethics portal and our onboaridng module on Integrity were updated. More information was added to the reporting channels page. This page was structured entirely from an employee’s perspective and based on questions employees may have. The online onboarding module was expanded to include a learning activity and information about the reporting channels.
- We increased awareness and knowledge regarding integrity in our day-to-day work and increased our internal willingness to discuss integrity. We achieved this, among other things, by organising a variety of awareness and training activities, including 11 workshops.
Reports
In 2025, the integrity coordinator registered 44 reports of potential breaches of integrity. This was up from 27 reports registered in 2024. Explanations for this increase include the increased willingness to report potential breaches and the extra attention that was devoted to themes relating to integrity and undesirable behaviour.
The intregrity coordinator handled these reports in line with the SVB’s Investigation Protocol and in collaboration with HR, employment lawyers, senior management and, where necessary, with technical experts.
The Ethical Behaviour Committee and the Integrity Advisory Committee received 8 reports, which were handled in accordance with the agreed procedures.
Read more about integrity in our annual reports on the page ‘Accountability and publications’.