Code of Conduct
1. Purpose and scope
My sustainability strategy determines my actions. It not only has an influence on the company, but also formulates my standards for service providers and suppliers. I act in accordance with a corporate vision, which in turn is reflected in my Code of Ethics & Sustainability.
The Code of Conduct for Service Providers specifically formulates my requirements. This includes national and international rules and laws as well as the values and social conventions according to which we want to act and be treated. The Code of Conduct sets out the requirements that enable long-term and successful collaboration with us. In order to maximise the impact of the sustainability strategy, I expect my suppliers and service providers to select their own suppliers according to the same or comparable criteria.
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1.1 Compliance with laws and social norms
Compliance with applicable laws and regulations at local, national and international level is a matter of course for me and my suppliers. In the social context, we require compliance with the core labour standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In addition, I expressly require our suppliers to comply with the principles of the Global Compact.
No form of corruption or bribery will be tolerated.
2. People
I personally put a lot of emphasis on the satisfaction of the people who come into contact with the company and its services/products.
In addition to the applicable legal requirements, internationally recognised standards such as the ILO core labour standard and the principles of the Global Compact, service providers undertake to comply with and regularly monitor the following agreements.
2.1 Human rights and labour standards
Employees must be treated with fairness, respect and dignity. Compliance with the ILO core labour standards is a basic prerequisite for this.
2.2 Forced and child labour
The employment of minors who are still of school age in the respective country is strictly prohibited. In accordance with the ILO, no children under the age of 15 may be employed. We reject any deliberate use of forced or compulsory labour.
2.3 Humane treatment and discrimination
It must be ensured that inhumane working conditions, discrimination and harassment are excluded. Employees are not discriminated against or disadvantaged on the basis of race, national origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or any other grounds.
2.4 Health and safety
All workplaces are expected to provide a minimum standard of health and safety protection for employees in accordance with the requirements of the national Health and Safety at Work Act.
2.5 Wages and working hours
The maximum working hours may not exceed the working hours prescribed in the relevant national labour laws. Furthermore, the supplier undertakes to pay the employees at least at the level of the normal local salary for comparable work and to comply with a statutory minimum wage.
3. Environment
Service providers have a responsibility to further reduce the consumption of resources and the emission of climate-unfriendly emissions and to avoid environmental pollution as far as possible. Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations is supplemented by existing environmental targets and a continuous improvement process in environmental management. In principle, I welcome the use of internationally compatible environmental management systems such as ISO 14001 or the use of an energy management system such as ISO 50001 and EMAS.
3.1 Resource consumption
The suppliers have a duty to use natural resources responsibly and to contribute to the careful consumption of energy, water and fuels.
3.2 Emissions
Legal limits for climate-unfriendly emissions must be complied with and the necessary countermeasures taken in the event of non-compliance.
3.3 Hazardous substances
We expect our suppliers to handle hazardous substances professionally in order to protect their employees and the environment.
3.4 Waste avoidance and the ability to recycle
Our suppliers have a duty to avoid waste as far as possible and, where appropriate, to favour avoidance over recycling. Where possible, new products should be developed in such a way that they are recyclable.
3.5 No use of environmentally harmful raw materials
The use of environmentally harmful raw materials and production processes is avoided as far as possible.
4. Economy
To ensure the success of our products and business relationships for the future, our suppliers continuously improve the quality of their products, work and processes. Quality management systems as described in ISO 9001 are an important part of this.
4.1 Corruption and bribery
Suppliers make their decisions solely on the basis of objective and professional criteria and, in particular, do not allow themselves to be influenced by personal relationships or interests.
4.2 Gifts and invitations
Suppliers do not directly or indirectly offer inappropriate benefits in the form of gifts, hospitality or invitations to exert undue influence.
My suppliers endeavour to ensure that their employees, subcontractors, consultants, agents or representatives also comply with these requirements.
4.3 Services and products
When planning, developing and implementing products and services, the aim is to achieve a balance between economic, social and oncological requirements.
4.4 Supplier evaluation
I determine the performance of suppliers by analysing various criteria. The main focus is on the quality as well as the logistical, technical and economic performance of the supplier.
5. Collaborative action and practical handling
I always work with environmentally and socially responsible suppliers. We therefore expect our suppliers to sign our Code of Conduct for Suppliers. If a general Code of Conduct widely used in the industry has already been signed, I check whether it corresponds to my own Code of Conduct. Suppliers are expected to ensure that their suppliers also comply with the requirements.
5.1 Reporting of infringements
Suppliers undertake to actively report serious violations (e.g. corruption, child labour) of the Code of Conduct for Suppliers, explain the cause and present a prevention strategy for the future.