social commitment

1. Our Understanding of Sustainability

ANDERS Walsrode views sustainability as an integral part of our business processes. This approach is grounded in responsible corporate management focused on long-term value creation. For this reason, we directly involve suppliers in our sustainability strategy. In our procurement activities, alongside procedural, economic, and technical criteria, we also consider social and environmental aspects such as human rights, working conditions, the prevention of corruption, and environmental protection. Balancing product/service, market, region, and process, we consider cost, quality, reliability, innovation, and sustainability to be key factors in supplier selection and evaluation. ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with applicable national laws and this Code of Conduct in their operations. Furthermore, suppliers are expected to implement appropriate processes that support compliance with applicable laws within their organizations and foster continuous improvement regarding these principles and requirements. Additionally, ANDERS Walsrode expects suppliers to ensure that their affiliated companies also acknowledge and adhere to all the principles and requirements described herein.

2. Treatment of Employees

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to uphold the fundamental employee rights established by applicable legislation.

3. Child Labor

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to prohibit and refrain from any form of child labor within their organizations. We support the “Stiftung Kinderblick” foundation project.

4. Discrimination

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to promote equal opportunities and equal treatment, and to prevent discrimination regarding the hiring of employees, promotions, and the provision of education and training measures.

No employee may be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, age, skin color, culture, ethnic origin, sexual identity, disability, religious affiliation, or worldview.

5. Forced Labor

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers not to permit forced labor within their companies.

6. Remuneration and Working Hours

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with applicable national legislation regarding working hours. Furthermore, it is expected that supplier employees receive remuneration in accordance with applicable national laws. When selecting our suppliers and service providers, we also consider the existence and application of collective bargaining agreements.

7. Occupational Health and Safety

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with applicable national legislation regarding occupational health and safety. Suppliers are also expected to establish and implement appropriate occupational safety management systems. This includes both mitigating actual and potential occupational safety risks and training employees to effectively prevent accidents and occupational illnesses.

8. Environmental Protection

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with applicable national environmental laws, regulations, and standards. Suppliers are also expected to minimize environmental impacts and hazards and to improve environmental protection in their daily business operations.

9. Conduct in the Business Environment

Prohibition of Corruption and Bribery

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers not to tolerate corruption. In particular, they ensure that their employees, subcontractors, or representatives do not offer, grant, or promise any benefits to employees of ANDERS Walsrode or to third parties associated with them for the purpose of securing an order or obtaining any other business advantage.

Invitations and Gifts

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers not to misuse invitations and gifts to exert influence. Invitations and gifts extended to ANDERS Walsrode employees or persons associated with them are permissible only if the occasion and scope are appropriate—that is, if they are of low value and can be regarded as an expression of generally accepted local business practice. Likewise, suppliers must not solicit inappropriate benefits from ANDERS Walsrode employees. Our employees are required to accept invitations and gifts only with the approval of management.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

ANDERS Walsrode expects…that its suppliers make decisions regarding their business dealings with ANDERS Walsrode based solely on objective criteria. Conflicts of interest involving private matters or other economic or external activities—including those of family members or other closely associated persons or organizations—are avoided from the outset.

10. Money Laundering

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with applicable legal obligations regarding the prevention of money laundering and to refrain from engaging in money laundering activities.

11. Miscellaneous

Any violation of the principles and requirements set out in this Code of Conduct is considered a material impairment of the contractual relationship on the part of the supplier. In the event of suspected non-compliance with the described principles and requirements (e.g., due to negative media reports), ANDERS Walsrode reserves the right to request information regarding the matter in question.