What is compliance?
"Compliance" means adhering to rules and laws. The KIRCHHOFF Ecotec Compliance Organisation helps to explain rules, adhere to them in everyday life and monitor them. This enables us to minimise potential risks.
THINKING and ACTING responsibly
Guiding principle of the KIRCHHOFF GROUP
"The Employees of the KIRCHHOFF Group undertake to always act in accordance with the applicable national and international guidelines and conventions on business ethics and social responsibility."
Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct is based on the corporate values of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE, which form the foundation of our culture. These values guide our daily conduct.
This Code of Conduct is a more specific addition to this.
The Code of Conduct does not claim to be exhaustive. This means that there will always be a number of situations in which the guidelines are not sufficient and in which employees must rely on values and common sense or seek advice.
This Code of Conduct applies to KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE and the companies of the KIRCHHOFF FAUN Group and the ZOELLER Group, and serves as an overarching framework for all other KIRCHHOFF Ecotec policies. KIRCHHOFF Ecotec expects all employees at all levels, as well as anyone acting on behalf of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec, FAUN, or ZOELLER—such as sales representatives, consultants, and other business partners—to comply with this Code of Conduct.
If local laws or internal regulations impose more stringent requirements on KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE than those set forth in the Code of Conduct, those laws and regulations take precedence and must be followed. It is the employee’s responsibility to be familiar with and understand this Code of Conduct, as well as the laws that apply to the performance of their duties, and to comply with these laws in both letter and spirit.
All managers at KIRCHHOFF Ecotec act as role models in complying with the Code of Conduct. Managers are obliged to inform their subordinates about the Code of Conduct and to encourage and monitor their compliance with the Code of Conduct.
If you have any questions or require advice regarding the content, interpretation or application of this Code of Conduct, please contact your line manager.
Non-compliance with this Code of Conduct will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action by the employer.
All employees are requested to take immediate action if they are confronted with a violation of this Code of Conduct. These cases can be reported to the direct superior or the members of the Ethics Committee.
Corporate integrity
Bribery and corruption
We refuse to offer, make or receive bribes or unlawful payments or to engage in corrupt behaviour in any way, whether directly or through third parties.
Assets of the company
We respect and protect the property and assets of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE, both tangible and intangible, and do not use them for unlawful purposes.
We take a long-term view in our entrepreneurial endeavours. Our aim is to increase the company's assets.
Gifts and hospitality
We ensure that work-related gifts, meals, or entertainment are appropriate, and we never offer or accept them if they would improperly influence a business decision
or could compromise our independence or our judgment.
Conflicts of interest
We strive to avoid situations in which our personal interests or actions could conflict with—or appear to conflict with—the objectives of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE.
Competition
We are committed to fair competition based on price, quality, and service, and we seek our competitive advantage exclusively through legal means. We engage in competition with the goal of increasing the value of KIRCHHOFF Ecotec SE as a whole.
Communication and reporting
We provide information about the company promptly and accurately. We provide relevant and not misleading information. We ensure that our financial and other reports and records are complete and accurate. We ensure honest, transparent and reliable reporting - both in internal and external communication.
Confidential information
We keep confidential information safe and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. We respect the property rights of internal and external business partners.
Third parties, commercial agents and suppliers
We only conclude contracts with commercial agents, representatives of third parties or suppliers if their standards of behaviour comply with our Code.
People
Diversity, fair treatment and labour standards
We treat all people equally and accept differences. We comply with labour standards and respect freedom of association
Human rights
We protect and respect human rights.
Privacy
We respect and protect everyone's privacy and comply with data protection and privacy laws.
Harassment and discrimination
We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination against people who work for or with us.
Health & Safety
The safety and health of the people who work for or with us is our top priority.
Role in society
Environment
We are committed to environmental protection and take responsibility for continuously improving environmental protection.
quality
We fulfil high standards of quality and product safety and are committed to producing the highest quality and safest products.
Customers
We always treat our internal and external customers with respect.
Our ultimate goal is to satisfy our internal and external customers in terms of quality, costs and service. We are constantly working to improve internal and external customer satisfaction.
Technology
We develop innovative products, technologies and processes that serve society.
Community
We respect the community around us, get involved in social issues, participate in public debates and maintain an active dialogue with our shareholders.
Lobbying and sponsoring
We participate in legitimate national and international policy-making activities. Our sponsorship is transparent.
Whistleblower system
Our corporate culture is characterised by responsibility and mutual respect towards our employees and business partners. Compliance with laws and internal regulations is a top priority. We rely on potential violations of laws, internal regulations and human rights or environmental risks being reported to us immediately so that we can rectify irregularities without delay and thus effectively avert damage to the KIRCHHOFF ECOTEC Group, our employees and business partners.
For this there is a
Whistleblower system (data protection information) are available. If there is a suspicion of possible violations of laws or internal regulations committed by employees in connection with their employment or contractual partners along the value chain, these can be reported via the e-mail address compliance(at)zoeller-kipper.de or the compliance telephone number +49 (0) 6131 887-270. You will receive a written confirmation of receipt from us within seven days.
We guarantee that your concerns will be handled confidentially. Necessary remedial measures are defined and implemented in the course of processing the report. Any information received will be analysed as part of the regular analysis with the decision-makers in the company under the protection of confidentiality. The entire process is documented according to a specified standard.
