Nov 28, 2025
This Code of Conduct summarizes the ethical standards and key policies that guide the business conduct of Aiven employees.
The Code of Conduct outlines the following core areas of professional conduct:
We are on a mission to make open source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure easily accessible to everyone. Aiven's success is built on a foundation of trust and integrity that goes beyond simply meeting minimum legal requirements. In the rapidly developing and evolving landscape, Aiven is committed to proactively adapting, acting ethically, and setting an example for the industry.
Our vision of helping developers, builders, and creators bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity is ambitious. Achieving them depends on how we work. The Aiven Code of Conduct and our values are the standards that guide us every day.
As a diverse team, we aim for an environment where every Aiven employee feels valued, safe, and encouraged to contribute. This means acting fairly, showing respect, and fostering a culture of openness where seeking help and speaking up are expected. Transparency, accountability, and learning from mistakes are integral to Aiven’s culture.
We earn the trust of our customers and partners daily by delivering high-quality, reliable services and choosing to do what is right. We are committed to maintaining these high standards and complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
This Code of Conduct unifies Aiven employees under a common standard of professional conduct. It is an essential guide to the behavior expected of everyone in the company.
The way Aiven employees operate is just as important as what they accomplish. Fostering an open, safe, and inclusive environment, where expectations are clear, allows everyone to perform their best. Aiven employees' actions are guided by our core values
Aiven employees must operate with integrity toward their colleagues, customers, suppliers, and other business partners. All Aiven employees are committed to contributing to a better workplace by acting fairly and demonstrating exemplary behavior toward one another.
Aiven recognizes and respects everyone as a unique individual and takes pride in nurturing a diverse workplace where all employees are expected to be treated with dignity and respect. Aiven does not tolerate any discrimination in the workplace. Hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions are based on the ability to perform job responsibilities, not on age, race, color, origin, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other discriminatory characteristic. Aiven makes all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive.
Aiven strives to create a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Bullying, abuse, or any behavior that interferes with someone’s work or creates a hostile work environment will not be tolerated. Harassment is unacceptable in any form—physical, sexual, verbal, or non-verbal, in person or over digital channels, at the office or in free time. Aiven employees must always follow internal policies on anti-harassment and anti-discrimination.
All Aiven employees share responsibility for ensuring Aiven is a safe and secure place to work. Each Aiven employee must follow safety procedures and comply with all company policies and applicable laws. They must take action in case of an emergency and report injuries and unsafe conditions in a timely manner. Workplace violence, intimidation, or threats of any kind are never tolerated, and threatening behavior must be reported immediately.
Substance abuse at work can negatively impact the ability to provide a safe workplace. Aiven strictly prohibits the use of any illegal drugs, the abuse of controlled substances, and the excessive consumption of alcohol at the workplace or any company event. At company celebrations and events where alcoholic beverages are served, all Aiven employees are expected to act responsibly and behave respectfully toward one another.
Aiven’s commitment to integrity means conducting all business activities honestly, ethically, and in compliance with the law. This ensures Aiven maintains objectivity and independence in its decisions.
Aiven operates in compliance with applicable national and international laws and regulations, international conventions, and generally accepted practices for good corporate governance.
Aiven’s accounting records must be accurate and reliable in all material respects. Providing full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable financial information is essential for making the best business decisions and preserving Aiven’s reputation for financial integrity. False, misleading, or artificial entries are prohibited in all records, and unrecorded funds are not permitted. All Aiven employees have a role in ensuring internal controls on expenses, contracting, and purchasing are followed. Fraudulent behavior or activities, such as embezzlement, fraud, or theft, are not tolerated.
Aiven believes in fair competition and bases its success on the merits of its offering. All business decisions must be made independently, and sensitive topics such as pricing, strategy, or customers must not be discussed with competitors. Actions such as participation in cartels (including market sharing or fixing prices) or abuse of a market position are strictly prohibited.
Aiven is committed to complying with all applicable export, import, and sanctions regimes. To ensure compliance, Aiven may limit the availability of its products within certain countries and regions and may decide not to supply products to certain industries, entities, or individuals.
Aiven only does business with suppliers, customers, and other business partners that are expected to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and high ethical standards. When onboarding a new business partner, Aiven employees must follow internal policies and controls.
Aiven employees must act in the company's best interest and avoid situations where personal interest may conflict in any way with Aiven's interest. This includes personal, financial, other business, political, or family interests that interfere, or appear to interfere, with their ability to make sound business decisions. While personal and romantic relationships are permitted, an Aiven employee should not be in the position of hiring or supervising family members or closely related persons, or anyone with whom they are in a personal or romantic relationship. Aiven employees must promptly disclose any actual or perceived conflict of interest in writing to their direct manager.
Aiven does not engage in bribery or corruption in any form and expects its suppliers, customers, and other business partners to do the same. Aiven recognizes the heightened risk involved in interactions with government officials and ensures that these relations do not facilitate bribery, corruption, or influence peddling in any way.
Aiven employees must never give or receive gifts, travel arrangements, or entertainment that are excessive, inappropriate, or otherwise appear to improperly influence Aiven or its business partners. A gift or hospitality may be considered bribery or corruption when the intent of the offeror is to influence a business decision or induce an action that is illegal, unethical, or a breach of trust. Gifts and hospitality may only be exchanged in accordance with Aiven policies and the policies of the outside entity.
Protecting the company's assets, data, and intellectual capital is essential to maintaining Aiven's competitive edge and customer trust.
Information security is a critical success factor for Aiven. Aiven employees are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information entrusted to it. Aiven employees must abide by Aiven’s policies and guidelines on information security.
Aiven is committed to a robust implementation and continuous improvement of our information security management systems. Internal policies, procedures, and guidelines are reviewed regularly.
Aiven encourages all personnel, customers, suppliers and third parties to report any security incidents or vulnerabilities, nonconformities with the policies and processes as well as opportunities for improvement. Aiven has established the necessary reporting channels both for internal and external parties.
Confidential information is one of Aiven's most important assets. Any confidential or proprietary information obtained during employment is subject to the non-disclosure or confidentiality obligation of the employment agreement, which remains binding even after employment ends. Unauthorized posting or discussion of any confidential information about Aiven’s business or prospects in external media is prohibited. Aiven employees must use social media responsibly and follow Aiven's internal policies.
Aiven takes the protection of personal data and privacy seriously. Aiven applies strict policies to ensure that all personal data collection, use, disclosure, retention, and destruction aligns with applicable privacy laws and international standards. Whenever an Aiven employee processes personal data in their work, they are responsible for complying with applicable laws and internal policies.
Aiven takes appropriate steps to protect its intellectual property, including copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Aiven also respects the property rights of others, including the rights of the open source community. Unauthorized use, copying, distribution, or alteration of software or other intellectual property is prohibited.
Aiven is committed to operating as an ethical global citizen, respecting human rights, and minimizing its environmental impact.
Aiven is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and avoiding complicity in any human rights abuse throughout the company, operations, supply chain, and communities. Aiven employees must comply with applicable employment laws and respect employees’ right to organize, and Aiven expects its business partners to do the same. The use of child labor or forced labor is not tolerated.
Aiven recognizes its responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. Aiven seeks to minimize its environmental footprint and encourages sustainable behavior in its partnerships and operations. To advance the goal of minimizing climate change and increasing equal access to technology, Aiven has adopted a Sustainability and Social Impact Commitment.
All Aiven employees are responsible for knowing and adhering to the values and standards set forth in the Code of Conduct and other Aiven policies, and for reporting any violations. Aiven employees must fully cooperate with audits, investigations, and inquiries.
Non-compliance with this Code of Conduct or any related Aiven policy may result in disciplinary measures, including but not limited to termination of employment.
Aiven is committed to creating an environment where every Aiven employee is encouraged to speak out and report concerns in good faith and without fear of retaliation. Raising an ethical concern helps protect the company, colleagues, customers, and others.
Aiven employees are encouraged to discuss concerns with their direct manager, the People team, or the Legal team.
If an Aiven employee wishes to remain anonymous, is uncomfortable using other means, or feels a concern has not been addressed properly, they can report it in Aiven's whistleblowing channel. All concerns reported through this channel will be handled with a high level of confidentiality. Aiven will not tolerate retaliation against any person who reports a concern in good faith or assists in an investigation, even if the claims are not substantiated.