Sustainable Supplier Management

Our supplier management is based on clear standards for ethical and sustainable business conduct. The foundation for this is our Code of Conduct, our Human Rights Policy Statement and our Supplier Code of Conduct. We meet the requirements of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) with a risk-based approach:

• Risk management system: We aim to identify risks at an early stage and manage them effectively. All human rights and environmental due diligence obligations are embedded in a systematic due diligence framework.

• Risk analyses: Each year, we conduct analyses of human rights and environmental risks for our own operations and our supply chain. For suppliers with an elevated risk profile, we seek contractual commitments to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct or a comparable standard.

• Prevention: We embed binding minimum standards in our supplier contracts. Sustainability is an integral part of the selection, evaluation and management of our suppliers. For suppliers with an elevated risk profile, we use in‑depth Supplier Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs) to identify critical human rights and environmental risks at an early stage and to initiate targeted preventive measures. Training ensures that our employees are informed about all legal requirements.

Human Rights Policy Statement (include only where an appropriate design element is available)

Our Human Rights Policy Statement is updated annually and approved by the Management Board. Its key elements are:

• Our clear commitment to respecting human rights and protecting the environment
• Our internal processes to safeguard human rights and the environment, particularly in the areas of risk management, risk analysis, as well as prevention and remediation measures
• The grievance mechanisms available to stakeholders
• Documentation of our human rights due diligence activities