1. Our understanding of sustainability

ANDERS Walsrode sees sustainability as an essential part of our business processes. The basis for this is responsible corporate management aimed at long-term value creation. For this reason, we involve suppliers directly in our sustainability strategy. In our procurement activities, in addition to procedural, economic and technical criteria, we also pay attention to social and ecological aspects such as human rights, working conditions, corruption prevention and environmental protection. In the area of tension between product/performance, market, region and process, costs, quality, reliability, innovation and sustainability are essential factors for us when selecting and evaluating suppliers. ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with the applicable national laws and this Code of Conduct in their activities. Furthermore, they are expected to introduce appropriate processes that support compliance with applicable laws in their companies and promote continuous improvement in relation to the principles and requirements. Furthermore, ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to ensure that their affiliated companies also comply with and recognize all principles and requirements described here.

2. Dealing with employees

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with the basic employee rights of the applicable legislation.

 3. Child labor

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to prohibit and refrain from any kind of child labor in their companies. We support the Kinderblick Foundation project.

4. Discrimination

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to promote equal opportunities and equal treatment and to prevent discrimination when hiring employees and when promoting or granting training and further education measures. No employee may be discriminated against because of their gender, age, skin color, culture, ethnic origin, sexual identity, disability, religious affiliation or ideology.

 5. Forced labor

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers not to allow forced labor in their companies.

6. Compensation and working hours

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with the applicable national legislation on working hours. Furthermore, it is expected that the suppliers’ employees receive remuneration that is in accordance with the applicable national laws. When selecting our suppliers and service providers, we also pay attention to the existence and validity of collective agreements.

7. Health protection and occupational safety

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with the applicable national legislation on health protection and occupational safety. Suppliers are also expected to set up and apply appropriate occupational safety management. This includes, on the one hand, the containment of actual and potential occupational safety risks and, on the other hand, the training of employees in order to best prevent accidents and occupational diseases.

8. environmental Protection

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

9. Behavior in a 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 ANDERS Walsrode employees or third parties close to them with the aim of obtaining an order or other preferential treatment in business transactions.

Invitations and gifts

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers not to misuse invitations and gifts to influence. Invitations and gifts to ANDERS Walsrode employees or people close to them are only granted if the occasion and scope are appropriate, i.e. they are of low value and can be viewed as an expression of locally generally accepted business practice. Likewise, suppliers do not demand unreasonable advantages from ANDERS Walsrode employees. Our employees are required to only accept invitations and gifts with the approval of the management.

Avoidance of conflicts of interest

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to make decisions regarding their business activities with ANDERS Walsrode exclusively on the basis of factual criteria. Conflicts of interest with private matters or other economic or other activities, including those of relatives or other close people or organizations, are avoided right from the start.

10. Money laundering

ANDERS Walsrode expects its suppliers to comply with the relevant legal obligations to prevent money laundering and not to take part in money laundering activities.

11. Miscellaneous

Any violation of the principles and requirements stated in this Code of Conduct will be viewed as a significant impairment of the contractual relationship on the part of the supplier. If there is suspicion of non-compliance with the principles and requirements described (e.g. negative media reports), ANDERS Walsrode reserves the right to request information about the relevant facts.