Code of conduct for suppliers and business partners
This Code of Conduct defines our principles and requirements for our direct and indirect suppliers and business partners
1. legal conformity
The laws and regulations of the applicable legal systems (e.g. Supply Chain Duty of Care Act) must be complied with. The principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work must always be respected in accordance with national laws and conventions.
2. human rights, employee rights
Increased attention must be paid to respecting the human rights of particularly vulnerable rights holders or groups of rights holders, such as women, children, migrant workers or (indigenous) communities.
2.1 Prohibition of forced labor and child labor Not to use or contribute to slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labor or human trafficking. Not to employ workers who are not at least 15 years old.
2.2 Respectful and non-discriminatory treatment
To promote equal opportunities and equal treatment of its employees regardless of their skin color, race, nationality, ethnicity, political affiliation, social background, any disability, sexual identity and orientation, religious beliefs, gender or age. Not to tolerate inappropriate treatment of employees, such as psychological hardship, sexual harassment or discrimination, including gestures, language and physical contact that is sexual, coercive, threatening, abusive or exploitative.
2.3 Employee rights
To recognize the right of employees to form trade unions and to join existing trade unions and to participate in collective bargaining; to neither favor nor discriminate against members of employee organizations or trade unions.
To comply with applicable working time regulations. To pay appropriate remuneration and to comply with all applicable pay and remuneration regulations.
In the case of cross-border personnel deployment, to comply with all applicable legal provisions, in particular with regard to minimum wages.
3. environmental protection
To act in accordance with applicable legal norms and international standards relating to the environment. Minimize pollution and continuously improve environmental protection. Consideration of our GreenSquareConcept.
4. fair operating practices
4.1 Anti-corruption, bribery and money laundering
Not to tolerate any form of corruption or bribery and not to participate in it either directly or indirectly and not to offer, grant or promise any benefits in order to influence actions or gain an unfair advantage. Not to promote money laundering either directly or indirectly
4.2 Fair competition, antitrust law and intellectual property rights
To act in accordance with national and international competition laws and not to participate in price fixing, market or customer allocation, market collusion or bid rigging. To respect the intellectual property rights of others. 4.3 Data protection
Process personal data confidentially and responsibly, respect the privacy of all and ensure that personal data is effectively protected and used only for legitimate purposes. Consideration of our Privacy Policy, each available at:
4.4 Supply chain
To make reasonable efforts to ensure that its suppliers comply with the basic principles of this Code of Conduct. To comply with the principles of non-discrimination in the selection of suppliers and in dealings with suppliers.
5. violations
Appropriate action will be taken against any business partner whose actions violate applicable law or this Code. These measures may include, at our own discretion, the submission of a statement, audits or the immediate termination of the business relationship.
6. permanent change
We are committed to continually reviewing and updating our policies and procedures (e.g. due to changes in the law, changes in case law or changes in economic circumstances). This Code is therefore subject to change.
