We attach highest priority to consistent compliance with statutory provisions, regulations and voluntary commitments. Our Compliance Programme provides the necessary framework to achieve that goal. The basis of the Compliance Programme is our Code of Conduct, which is mandatory for all OTTO FUCHS employees¹ regardless of their responsibilities or position within the hierarchy. The Code of Conduct defines our standards of ethically responsible behaviour.

We are committed to the rules of fair competition and free markets and therefore will not tolerate any form of corruption or violations of antitrust law. We are actively committed to tolerance and fairness and refuse to tolerate any form of discrimination. We expect our business partners to respect the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct especially also with regard to the observance of human rights and to act in accordance with those principles. 

We respect the universally acknowledged rights of all human beings and strictly reject any form of forced labour or child labour. We have already established this commitment to respecting human rights and fair working conditions in our Human Rights Policy. In our Policy Statement regarding Compliance with Human Rights and Environmental Standards, we explain how we fulfil the requirements of the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains.

whistleblowing management

We encourage everyone to point out circumstances that indicate a violation of laws or internal rules. To that end, we have appointed contact persons for Compliance matters and an external lawyer of trust (Vertrauensanwalt) to whom whistleblowers can turn in confidence. All information will be investigated with the greatest care - if requested also with the anonymity of the whistleblower - and with due regard for the rights of all parties involved. Our rules of procedure and FAQs on whistleblowing management are available for download.

Our whistleblower system is available to anyone who believes they have been harmed or negatively affected by business activities of OTTO FUCHS or its business partners. These include, but are not limited to:

• OTTO FUCHS employees,
• Suppliers,
• Service providers, 
• Business partners (including temporary workers and subcontractors) in any country and
• Any other external parties.