Whistleblowing System

Whistleblowing System according to the German Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG)

Our whistleblowing system is used to receive reports of possible compliance-related violations of laws or internal regulations (e.g., data protection breaches, fraud, corruption, or IT security violations). It gives both our employees and external partners, customers, and suppliers the opportunity to report grievances confidentially.

If you perceive a specific violation, we ask you to contact us or the external reporting offices listed below to contribute to a swift clarification.

Important information before submitting your report

• Please check whether a direct internal report to us is an option. This is often the fastest way to bring information to the office that can immediately investigate and remedy the violation. If you are uncertain, you can also contact the state external reporting offices at any time.
• For efficient processing and follow-up questions, we recommend providing your name and a contact option. Of course, our internal reporting office also accepts and processes anonymous reports. In any case, we guarantee the strict confidentiality of your identity in accordance with Section 8 HinSchG. Your identity will be disclosed exclusively to the responsible processors. Disclosure to third parties only takes place under the statutory exceptional requirements (e.g., at the request of law enforcement authorities or by court order).
• By providing your contact details, we ensure that we can confirm receipt of the report within 7 days and inform you of the result of the audit and any follow-up measures taken within 3 months.
• The documentation of your report will be deleted in compliance with the law three years after the conclusion of the proceedings. After this point, documents from the proceedings are no longer available.
• The whistleblowing system must not be used for false accusations. The intentional or grossly negligent reporting of incorrect information is unlawful, does not result in legal protection under the HinSchG, and may have criminal or civil law consequences.
• Personal meeting: At your request, a report to the internal reporting office can also take place as part of a personal meeting (physically on-site or via video and audio transmission).