Introduction

This Supplier Code of Conduct is based on the Brand Group's Code of Conduct and specifies the essential principles and basic values to which we are committed in our dealings with suppliers, customers, employees, society, and the environment as part of our global business activities.

Suppliers of the Brand Group accept to work according to these principles and to actively require them from their business partners, in particular from their own suppliers and their employees. These principles are based on internationally recognized sets of rules and conventions for sustainable development (ESG standards for the environment, human rights and corporate governance):

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
• Global Compact of the UN
• International Labor Organization (ILO)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

Together with us, our suppliers take responsibility for a corporate culture that creates the conditions for making a positive contribution to maintaining a future worth living, even beyond purely regulatory requirements. We require that our supplier adhere to the following objectives, actions, and standards:

Environment

• The avoidance of negative environmental impacts and the reduction of energy and resource consumption through own economic activities are part of corporate objectives.
• The environmental impact of economic and business activities is continuously assessed and reduced beyond regulatory requirements within the scope of technically and economically appropriate possibilities.
• An appropriate environmental management system is used, verified and documented by certifications such as ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 50001 Energy Management or by other suitable means.
• Corporate activities are guided by the principles of sustainable, future-compatible and future-oriented development of products, including the circular economy and related services, so that future generations retain the opportunities to develop and flourish freely.
• The relevant international conventions for the reduction of negative environmental impacts are recognized and complied with. This refers in particular, but not exclusively, to the Minamata Convention of the United Nations and its concretization by European laws, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes.

Human Rights and Social

• The UN Human Rights Charter is binding. Any involvement in human rights violations is excluded.
• As a globally active company, we expect our suppliers to act in accordance with the laws and regulations of the applicable legal system. This applies in particular to the applicable laws on fair competition, protection of intellectual property, combating money laundering, corruption, insider trading and data protection.
• Corruption is not tolerated in any way. This also and in particular applies to any unlawful offers of payment or similar benefits to government officials and other decision-makers in order to influence their decisions.
• All applicable national and international anti-corruption laws and regulations are complied with.
• As a matter of principle, no persons below the respective statutory minimum age for employees are employed.
• Equal opportunities and equal treatment of the company's own employees are promoted without restriction - regardless of origin, gender, religion or ideology, any disabilities, age or sexual orientation or identity.
• The personal dignity, privacy and personal rights of each individual are respected without reservation.
• Any forced labor is strictly prohibited.
• Unacceptable treatment of employees, such as discrimination, coercion, abuse, exploitation or sexual harassment, will not be tolerated.
• Adequate remuneration of employees is ensured. As a matter of principle, the legally defined, respective national minimum wage is not undercut.
• The respective national legal regulations on working hours are observed in every employment relationship.
• Employees' freedom of association is fully recognized and members of employee organizations or trade unions are neither favored nor disadvantaged.
• Responsibility for the health and safety of employees is assumed in the working environment and in workplace design.
• The best possible precautionary measures are taken to limit risks and avoid or prevent accidents and the occurrence of occupational illnesses.
• An appropriate occupational safety management system, which includes regular training in occupational safety, is maintained and promoted. Appropriate promotion of compliance with the principles and core values of this Supplier Code is demanded from upstream suppliers and other business partners.
• The principles of non-discrimination are required in the selection of and dealings with subcontractors and other business partners in the same way as with own employees.

Corporate Governance

• An effective export control system equivalent to the standards set by the rules of the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany has been established.
• Import and export restrictions are strictly observed and, in the case of dual-use goods, the legally required end-use declarations are obtained.
• No form of circumvention is tolerated. No business will be conducted in the event of corresponding indications.
• All affected materials or material components according to Sec. 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of the USA (so-called Dodd Frank Act) and/or Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of May 17, 2017 (esp. columbite-tantalite, tinstone, wolframite, gold and their derivatives) in the products are exclusively sourced from conflict-free or certified smelters.
• The value chain up to the smelter, in terms of compliance with due diligence, is documented in writing.
• The applicable legal regulations for material compliance, such as REACH, RoHS, China RoHS 2, California Proposition 65, WEEE, etc. are adhered to.
• There is adequate documentation of relevant data on material compliance and active information on conformity/non-conformity of materials.

Closing remarks

The Brand Group does not place economic interests above lawful and ethical conduct. This is also a prerequisite for cooperation with our suppliers, service providers and all other business partners. We promote compliance with the above-mentioned principles in our supply chains and use criteria from the areas of environment, human rights and social and sustainable corporate governance equally when awarding contracts.