Our vision:

We strive to be a responsible and sustainable company that respects and protects the rights and dignity of all people in our supply chain.

Our mission:

We are committed to upholding the highest standards regarding human rights, working conditions, environmental protection, and ethical business practices. Through close collaboration with our partners, we ensure that we only use products manufactured under fair and sustainable conditions.

Our values:

1. Responsibility:

We take responsibility for our entire supply chain and are actively committed to preventing human rights violations and environmental damage.

2. Transparency:

We promote openness and transparency in all our business relationships and regularly share information about our progress and challenges.

3. Respect:

We respect the rights and dignity of all people and ensure fair working conditions and fair wages.

4. Sustainability:

We are committed to environmentally friendly and sustainable working methods and goods and minimize our ecological footprint.

Our commitments:

1. Employment relationship:

We hire our employees based on documented employment relationships in accordance with the law.

2. Working hours:

We are committed to complying with statutory working time regulations, including overtime, breaks, rest periods, and vacation time, as well as paid sick days and parental leave. Overtime is worked voluntarily by employees and is governed by the employment contract or a company agreement.

3. Remuneration:

We respect the right of employees to fair compensation.

Employees will be paid wages in accordance with local laws, including those concerning minimum wage, overtime, and statutory social benefits. Furthermore, wage levels must reflect the qualifications and educational background of the employees. Compensation is also based on regular working hours.

4. Occupational safety and health

We ensure a healthy and safe working environment by assessing risks and taking all necessary measures to eliminate or mitigate them. We comply with national occupational health and safety regulations, or, where national legislation is inadequate or poorly implemented, with international standards. We take effective measures to prevent potential accidents, injuries, and illnesses of employees that occur during or are related to their work. We identify, monitor, and control exposure to, for example, biological, chemical, physical, or ergonomic hazards to prevent overexposure to substances. If hazards cannot be eliminated through appropriate control and countermeasures, adequate personal protective equipment is provided.

5. Prohibition of child labor

We do not employ anyone below the legal minimum age. Business partners adhere to this principle if they do not directly or indirectly employ children below the legal minimum age, which must be at least 15 years, unless the exceptions recognized by the ILO apply.

6. Protection of minors

We are committed to complying with national youth employment protection laws and international standards, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, whenever we employ minors. Minors are not permitted to work night shifts. Furthermore, they must not be exposed to dangerous, unsafe, or unhealthy conditions that could jeopardize their health and development.

7. Free choice of employment

We do not tolerate any form of servitude, forced or compulsory labor, serfdom, human trafficking or involuntary labor, especially of a physical, psychological or financial nature, either in our company or with suppliers or other business partners.

8. No discrimination

We offer equal opportunities and prohibit all forms of discrimination against employees. In particular, no one will be discriminated against, excluded, or favored on the basis of ethnic origin or affiliation, religion, skin color, age, gender, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, trade union membership, political opinion, or marital status. This applies especially to the recruitment, training, promotion, and compensation of employees.

9. Regulated emergency preparedness

We are committed to providing emergency services, including an emergency reporting system, staff training, adequate facilities for fire detection and extinguishing, and appropriate evacuation procedures.

10. Employee information on health and safety

We enable employees to participate in training courses on health and safety topics. Furthermore, information relating to health and safety issues is communicated to all employees.

11. Resource conservation, environmental and climate protection

We are always aware of our responsibility towards the environment and are committed to protecting it in the long term and preserving it for future generations. We aim to minimize the environmental impact of our business activities. We acknowledge and comply with all applicable local and international environmental standards and laws. This includes avoiding or continuously reducing harmful environmental impacts from resource consumption (including water and energy), greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and the application of substances to soil and water. We ensure that all necessary environmental permits and approvals are up-to-date and adhered to in order to guarantee compliance with the law at all times.

12. Animal welfare

We ensure that all applicable national laws on animal protection and animal welfare are fully complied with.

13. Ethical Behavior

We comply with national and international laws and conduct ourselves ethically. Ethical conduct aligns with general principles and decency. We do not tolerate any form of corruption, extortion, embezzlement, or bribery. This includes any kind of illegal, immoral, and dishonest activity. We also take strict precautions to avoid any involvement in money laundering.

14. Duty of care:

We regularly conduct risk analyses to identify and assess potential negative impacts on human rights and the environment in our supply chain. We investigate complaints about misconduct and violations of our corporate principles impartially. Such reports can be sent anonymously by letter to our postal address. In the event of actual violations, we are committed to taking immediate corrective action.

15. Prevention and Remedies:

We take measures to prevent and remedy human rights violations and environmental damage in our supply chain and work closely with our partners to achieve improvements.

16. Training and awareness:

We offer training and information campaigns for our employees and business partners as needed to raise awareness of the requirements of the Supply Chain Act and the importance of respecting human rights and environmental protection.

Closing remarks:

Our commitment to human rights and sustainability is deeply rooted in our corporate culture. We firmly believe that responsible action is not only the right thing to do, but also leads to long-term success and the trust of our customers, partners, and society.

Montabaur, May 1, 2024

Jan Cernota

Managing Director