This Code of Conduct defines our requirements for us as a company as well as for our partners concerning our responsibility towards people and the environment. Therefore, we expect our partners to likewise fulfill these requirements. Furthermore, we expect them to promote and impose compliance with this Code of Conduct to their suppliers.
Legal compliance
- to comply with the statutory requirements of the applicable legal system,
- to comply with recognized international standards of ethical conduct (see footnotes).
Prohibition of corruption and bribery
- to tolerate no form of and not to engage in any form of corruption or bribery, including any payment or other form of benefit conferred on any government official for the purpose of influencing decision making in violation of law.
Respect for the basic human Rights of employees¹
- to promote equal opportunities for their employees irrespective of skin colour, race, nationality, social background, possible disability, sexual orientation, political or religious conviction, sex or age,
- to respect the personal dignity, privacy and rights of each individual,
- not to employ anyone against their will or make anyone work against their will,
- not to tolerate any unacceptable treatment of employees, such as mental cruelty, sexual harassment or discrimination,
- to provide adequate remuneration, to pay the same money for the same work and to guarantee the national statutory minimum wage,
- to comply with the maximum number of working hours laid down in the respective state or, if there is no such regulation, with a maximum of 60 regular working hours per week,
- as far as legally possible, to recognize the right of employees of free association and neither to favor nor to disadvantage members of employee organizations or trade unions.
Prohibition of child labour ²
- to recognize and respect the rights of Children,
- to comply with the Conventions 138 and 182 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on the restriction of child labor.
Safety of employees
- to take responsibility for their employees,
- to take the best possible precautionary measures against accidents,
- to provide regular training on health and safety issues.
Environmental protection
- to act in accordance with the applicable statutory and international standards regarding environmental protection,
- to avoid environmental pollution and to make constant improvements in environmental protection,
- to set up or use an environmental management system according to ISO 14001.
(1) Declaration of Human Rights in Resolution 217 A (III) dated 10.12.1948,
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/Language.aspx?LangID=eng
(2) Declaration of the International Labour Organisation on basic labour principles and rights,
www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/index.htm