Integrity and honesty are core values that are deeply embedded in our corporate culture. We expect all members of our companies, including management and employees, to always act with integrity and in compliance with the applicable laws, and to communicate honestly and respectfully.
We are committed to adhering to all applicable international, national and local laws regarding health and safety, labour and the environment. Where local industry standards and/or international guidelines are stricter than the applicable laws, we and our respective business partners must adhere to these stricter requirements.
We reject child labour within our companies and among our business partners. Children may not be restricted in their development in any way. Their dignity is to be respected and their health and safety must not be compromised but should be protected through appropriate measures.
We reject all forms of forced or compulsory labour or any form of slavery, including modern forms of slavery and human trafficking. Our business partners align their employer practices with at least the ILO Core Labour Standards. All employment relationships with our business partners are always voluntary and can be terminated within reasonable notice.
We ensure that the right of employees to form employee representative bodies, to collective bargaining to regulate working conditions and their right to strike are recognised within the framework of the applicable legal standards. Neither the establishment of, accession to nor membership of a trade union recognised under the applicable law, may be used as a reason for unjustified unequal treatment or retaliation.
We ensure that equal opportunities are guaranteed for our employees, free from discrimination of any kind, and that no discrimination or unjustified unequal treatment is tolerated, for example on the basis of characteristics such as gender, descent, origin and nationality, religion and ideology, political, social or trade union activity, sexual identity and orientation, physical and/or mental limitations or age. We create an inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination, harassment, or bullying. Diversity and equal opportunities are promoted and valued.
As an employer, we ensure health and safety in the workplace, at minimum in accordance with applicable legal standards. We also establish processes aimed at continuously improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent work-related accidents and illnesses. We will inform our employees about known safety hazards and our measures to minimise risks, conduct sufficient training to prevent work-related accidents and illnesses, including first aid and fire safety training and provide appropriate protective equipment and safety clothing.
We comply with the applicable regulations on working hours in our company. We recognise our employees’ entitlement to appropriate remuneration and adhere to the legally guaranteed minimum wages in the respective labour markets.
Company property must be used responsibly and exclusively for business purposes. Theft, misuse, and waste of company resources are prohibited.
We commit to refraining from accepting or giving any gifts that could lead to a conflict in interest. No bribes or other unlawful payments may be made or offered to government officials or any other persons.
We establish the necessary processes to adequately protect the human rights of all employees in our corporate principles, guidelines, and procedural instructions. We provide all employees with unrestricted access to fair and transparent grievance procedures through a confidential whistle-blower system. All employees are informed about the access to this system and trained on its use.In case of any doubts regarding the fulfilment of the above obligations and to prevent improper activities, we encourage our employees to contact a direct supervisor or management. Schmidt Kranz Group ensures that employees who report concerns are protected from threats, harassment, or any other adverse actions within the organisation. Whistle-blowers can be assured that they will not face dismissal.
As a commercial enterprise, we take our responsibility for the environmental compatibility and sustainability of our products and production processes very seriously, and we expect the same from our employees and business partners. We are committed to ensuring energy efficiency and climate protection, and we take appropriate measures to continuously develop sustainable solutions, reduce our environmental impact, and comply with environmental protection laws and regulations.We are committed to minimizing the use of fossil fuels and to keeping our CO2 emissions as low as possible. To achieve this, we implement measures to reduce the consumption of natural resources, promote material reuse, facilitate the recycling of waste products, restrict travel for business purposes and procure recycled and environmentally friendly materials. Additionally, we are committed to implementing appropriate measures for the safe separation, handling, storage, transportation, use/reuse, and disposal of waste.We are committed to taking appropriate measures to minimize water consumption and to sustainably use and reuse water. To protect natural ecosystems, we pledge to promote biodiversity within our supply chain and prevent deforestation, in accordance with applicable regulations.
We strictly reject any form of corruption and ensure that no payments from third parties are offered or accepted as bribes. We do not provide any benefits to public officials or persons of similar status, particularly not to expedite routine administrative actions, regardless of whether there is a right to such actions.
Our cross-border business activities are subject to various national and international prohibitions, restrictions, licensing requirements and other surveillance measures. We verify and comply with export and import regulations when importing and exporting products and services.
As part of our business operations, we ensure compliance with the applicable laws concerning anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. To this end, we verify the identities of our potential customers and business associates, and we implement comprehensive measures to ensure transparency in all our business relationships.
We ensure that confidential information (such as technical know-how) and intellectual property are carefully protected in accordance with the law and are not disclosed to third parties.
We are committed to complying with applicable legal regulations when handling personal data, including its collection, storage, processing and other uses, and to guard the personal data of our employees, customers, suppliers and other third parties.
We are committed to fair and free competition, which is protected by the applicable competition and anti-trust laws and to complying with them.Particularly, we do not engage in agreements or coordinate behaviour with competitors with the aim of preventing or restricting free competition. This not only applies to written contractual agreements but also to verbal agreements. Therefore, we do not make secret agreements with competitors or exchange business secrets with them unless there is a legitimate reason. The same applies to receiving information from our competitors.
Our business decisions are based solely on objective criteria and are not influenced by personal interests or relationships.
Upon request, we will disclose information about our supply chains to enable us to fulfil legal obligations and identify / minimize risks related to compliance with the requirements outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Social responsibility in our companies means striving beyond economic success to work for the good of the community. We are committed to upholding our ethical standards, creating fair working conditions, minimizing our environmental impact, and making a positive contribution to society.
