Compliance

Our compliance organization is alive and well and is constantly updated. Among other things, it includes our codes of conduct for employees and for all our business partners and suppliers. The ethical values of our European family business are communicated worldwide through ongoing compliance training at our subsidiaries. In addition, there are continuous internal control measures and regular audits to further optimize our internal processes.

As part of our compliance organization, we have set up a whistleblower system to combat corruption and other white-collar crime. Dr. Caroline Jacob holds the position of ombudswoman and liaison lawyer and Dr. Rainer Buchert is available as a representative if required. Both ombudspersons are available to all employees and third parties who wish to submit a confidential report in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Act, i.e. in the event of a suspected criminal offense or other misconduct. Information relating to human rights and environmental violations along the supply chain (by direct and indirect suppliers) can also be reported to the ombudspersons. The same applies if such violations are imminent.

Our ombudsperson guarantees confidentiality and whistleblower protection through the duty of professional secrecy and the right to refuse to testify.

The identity of a whistleblower and/or the facts communicated by the whistleblower will not be disclosed by the ombudsperson under any circumstances, unless the whistleblower expressly agrees to this.