Independence promotes integrity, accountability and effective oversight. It is Colgate's policy to have a Board of Directors comprised of a substantial majority of independent directors.
The Board of Directors defines an independent director as a director who has no direct or indirect material relationship with Colgate or any of its officers, other than as a director or shareholder of Colgate. Stated simply, an independent director must be free of any relationship with Colgate or its senior management that may in fact or appearance impair the director's ability to make independent judgments or compromise the director's objectivity and loyalty to shareholders.
There are many different types of relationships between directors and the Company that may be material and preclude a finding of independence, including employment, advisory, business, financial, charitable, family and personal relationships. When examining these relationships, it is important to consider a director's ties to the Company's senior management and its other directors, which also may affect a director's actual or perceived independence.
The Board shall review and make an affirmative determination regarding each director's independence at least once each year and more frequently as necessary due to changes in circumstance that may affect an individual director's independence. In making its determinations regarding independence, the Board shall consider all relevant facts and circumstances and shall apply the following guidelines: