Compliance with applicable law
We comply with the applicable law at local, national and international level.
Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations is a matter of course for us, at local, national and international level. Only in this way can our business success be secured worldwide.
All employees are required to know the basic laws, regulations and internal company rules relevant to their area of responsibility. Comprehensive knowledge is required in particular of executives, who have a special responsibility for ensuring compliance due to their role or their position in the executive body.
Fair competition
We are committed to compliance with applicable competition law.
In almost all countries, relationships and agreements with competitors, suppliers, distributors and traders that affect fair competition are prohibited by law. These include, for example, price fixing, the division of customers or sales areas between competitors, anti-competitive boycotts and other unfair methods of competition. We are committed to fair competition and comply with these laws and regulations.
Relationships with business partners
We act with integrity in our business relationships.
Our business partners expect that they can rely on us as a legally compliant business partner. This also requires us to know our contractual obligations towards our business partners.
Confidentiality
We protect confidential information from unauthorised disclosure and misuse.
Confidential information is intended only for the named recipients, not for internal distribution or external publication. It includes, but is not limited to, documents, reports, contracts, financial information, personnel information, analyses, intellectual property and new business or product plans. Confidential information can come in many forms, digital, on paper and others.
Confidential information of the company must be kept secret. This also applies after the end of the employment relationship. The security of all business data must be ensured in all business processes in line with applicable legal requirements. Technical security against unauthorised access must meet an appropriate standard that corresponds to the state of the art.
Data protection
We comply with applicable laws and regulations when collecting, storing, processing or transferring personal data.
When we collect, store, process or transfer personal data (for example name or address) of employees, customers or other third parties, we take the utmost care, maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Employees who handle personal data receive advice and support from the relevant legal and data protection functions. See also our privacy policy.
Protection against corruption and bribery
We condemn any form of corruption and bribery.
Any form of bribery or corruption is forbidden, whether involving public officials or in business dealings.
Expenses such as invitations or advertising that serve to promote business relationships or to present products or services are permissible if they are moderate. Such benefits may be given or accepted only if they serve a legitimate business purpose and are not given or accepted in return for an unlawful advantage. They may not be unduly high in value and may not disproportionately exceed the limits of business custom or the recipient’s normal standard of living.
Trust and respect
We treat each other with respect and trust, and we provide a working environment free of discrimination.
Every individual has the right to fair, dignified and respectful treatment. We are committed to equal opportunities and promote a working environment characterised by respect and tolerance, which recognises the value and dignity of each individual and in which we treat each other with courtesy, honesty and dignity. Harassment, mobbing and intimidation are prohibited.
Personnel decisions, such as recruitment, promotions or disciplinary action, must be free of any discrimination. We do not tolerate discriminatory conduct towards employees or applicants on the grounds of ethnic origin, nationality, sex, pregnancy or parenthood, marital status, age, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other discrimination prohibited by law.
Human rights, health and environment
Respect for human rights and the protection of health and the environment are an essential part of our social responsibility.
We respect the dignity and personal rights of our employees and of the third parties with whom we do business.
We strive for the responsible use and sourcing of natural resources (water, energy, materials and land), as far as they are necessary to produce and distribute our products and services.
We ensure a healthy and safe working environment for our employees by complying with health and safety laws and regulations. In particular, managers are responsible for ensuring that adequate procedures and safeguards for health and safety at work are in place.