Code of conduct for business partners of König Transportgesellschaft mbH
Behavioural guidelines for business partners
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Compliance with statutory provisions, obligations and regulations is the basis of responsible behaviour for us. We expect our trading partners to comply with all applicable laws, sanctions and import/export-related as well as customs and tax regulations, embargoes (in particular those of the EU, the UN Security Council and the USA) and contractual agreements, provided they do not conflict with the legal provisions that apply to us. Necessary permits, certificates, licences and registrations must be obtained and maintained. This applies both with regard to those countries in which our trading partner has its registered office or branches or operating facilities, as well as for those countries in which services are provided or in which other legal regulations apply to them. An overview of some of the most important conventions with regard to human rights and environmental standards is attached to this Code of Conduct.
PRODUCT SAFETY AND QUALITY
We can only ensure quality and safety within the supply chain if we work together. In the interests of our customers, we therefore expect compliance with relevant product safety measures (labelling, documentation, safety data sheets, etc.) and quality assurance within contractual agreements and certification requirements.
INTEGRITY IN BUSINESS DEALINGS AND FAIRNESS IN COMPETITION
We expect our business partners to comply with applicable competition and antitrust laws and to make reasonable efforts to avoid conflicts of interest, corruption, extortion, embezzlement, embezzlement, bribery and money laundering in any form. Gifts, gratuities, benefits or hospitality must not unfairly influence a business relationship and must comply with applicable law.
Fair competition in compliance with the applicable competition and antitrust laws of our trading partners is a prerequisite for us. Anti-competitive behaviour, price fixing, corruption, collusive solutions or the exploitation of a possible dominant market position are unacceptable to us.
DATA PROTECTION
We expect the legally compliant, careful and appropriate handling of König Transports-related data and documents, in particular with regard to personal data, and their protection against unauthorised access or disclosure, taking into account the principle of data economy and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in its current version. This also includes the protection of intellectual property and the confidentiality of trade and business secrets.
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT: CAREFUL USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CLIMATE PROTECTION
Sustainable environmental and climate protection and resource efficiency are important to us and we hold the relevant certifications (REDcert, RSPO, EcoVadis, Integritynext, DE-ÖKO-006 etc.). In this context, we also expect our trading partners to provide the best possible protection of natural resources and to refrain from their inappropriate exploitation or destruction, an appropriate handling of hazardous chemicals, minerals or other substances as well as efforts to minimise exhaust gases, waste water, waste, noise and light pollution. Climate protection should be a matter of course for our business partners and be reflected in targeted measures. For example, where appropriate and available, we expect our trading partners to present theircarbon footprint on request. All applicable laws relating to environmental impact and environmental protection must be complied with. This applies in particular with regard to the handling of hazardous chemicals and minerals.
PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Protection against human rights violations is one of the imperatives of doing business. Our trading partners respect human rights and treat other people, in particular the people working for them, with dignity and respect in compliance with the relevant, applicable provisions.
CHILD AND FORCED LABOUR
Any form of forced or compulsory labour, child labour, slavery or human trafficking within the value chain is unacceptable to us and we expect our trading partners to exclude it from their operational processes. The same applies to bonded or indentured labour or involuntary prison labour. Employees of our business partners must have the opportunity to leave their employer at their own discretion, subject to the statutory deadlines.
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
We expect our trading partners to support the open communication of their employees with employee representatives and to respect the freedom of association of employees and their right to belong or not to belong to or form interest groups and to participate in meetings on the basis of local laws. Employees who engage as employee representatives must not be disadvantaged or discriminated against.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We live and expect a culture of equal opportunities and mutual respect from our business partners. The equal and respectful treatment of employees and their protection against abusive behaviour, regardless of gender, age, skin colour, culture, ethnic, national or social origin, sexual identity, disability or other physical characteristics, marital status, religious affiliation, ideology, political opinion or other characteristics, must be a matter of course.
REMUNERATION AND WORKING HOURS
We expect our business partners to at least comply with legal standards when remunerating their employees. Remuneration and statutory benefits must be paid on time, regularly and in full and should provide employees and their dependants with an adequate standard of living. Statutory working time regulations, including overtime, breaks, rest periods and holidays, as well as paid sick days, must be complied with. The labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) must be observed.
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
We expect our trading partners to comply with the applicable occupational health and safety regulations in the interests of their employees and subcontractor employees on the basis of internationally recognised standards (e.g. ISO 45001).
THE BEHAVIOURAL GUIDELINES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN
In the interest of consistent compliance with the defined obligations and principles, we expect these behavioural guidelines to be passed on and monitored for implementation in the supply chain on an ad hoc basis.
IMPLEMENTATION CONTROL
We reserve the right to appropriately review the implementation of the obligations and expectations of this Code of Conduct by our trading partners. Our trading partner must adequately document compliance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct and co-operate with us with regard to the verification of compliance. Our business partners are obliged to investigate violations in their own company and in the wider supply chain and to remedy them as quickly as possible. We must be informed of such viol ations so that we can jointly evaluate them and agree on improvements. In addition, we may demand remedy within a reasonable period of time and, in the event of responsibility for violations, compensation for damages or indemnification from the consequences of the violation. In the event of unsuccessful agreements or rectification periods, we are entitled to terminate the contractual relationship with the business partner with a notice period of three months to the end of the month. If a breach of the Code of Conduct or an unsuccessful agreement or rectification period constitutes a significant breach of compliance, so that we cannot reasonably be expected to continue the contractual relationship until the intended end or until the expiry of the notice period, taking into account all the circumstances of the individual case and weighing the interests of both parties, we are entitled to terminate the contractual relationship without notice.
WHISTLEBLOWER SYSTEM
We expect our business partners to set up a communication channel for their employees and business partners that enables them to address reports, concerns and complaints without incurring reprisals. We must be notified promptly of any incidents that may affect our cooperation and of any potential breaches of this Code of Conduct.
At König Transporte mbH, we offer all employees, customers and business partners the opportunity to contact us anonymously via a whistleblower system in a protected space at www.deuka.de/en/hinweisgebersystem-von-deutsche-tiernahrung-cremer/ and to report events or incidents to us. All information is processed fairly and quickly and treated with absolute confidentiality.
CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION
This Code of Conduct shall be governed by German law to the exclusion of any conflict of laws rules that require the application of a different legal system. The exclusive, also international, place of jurisdiction is Düsseldorf.
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More about sustainability at König Transporte mbH
Daniel Stjern
Picture credits: © Deutsche Tiernahrung Cremer