Our Philosophy
Independently taking responsibility on a sustainable basis
For us, sustainability is all about economic, ecological and social responsibility and plays an essential role as a key principle in our philosophy. Our corporate philosophy specifies our standards and expectations when it comes to our products, services and how we deal with our customers, suppliers and staff. This additionally includes long-standing partnerships built on a strong basis of trust and acting in compliance with the law.
We expect our business partners to also factor the principles specified in the corporate philosophies at their companies.
This code defines our basic principles and the corresponding requirements. It is based on the content of the following conventions and standards:
- Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
- Guidelines for multinational companies from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Agreements of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
- The Business Charter for Sustainable Development of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- SA8000 (standard for socially responsible business management)
The code applies to the company WEVO GmbH & CO. KG and its staff. The company management is responsible for supporting and demonstrating the best possible compliance with the principles listed below.
1) Business Ethics
1.1) Compliance with laws
We comply with national and transnational laws and regulations and the relevant international agreements and conventions.
1.2) Product safety
Our products and services do not endanger humans or the environment. They meet the agreed and/or legally stipulated standards with regard to product safety. Information on safe use is communicated accordingly.
1.3) Prohibition of corruption and bribery
All types of corruption are prohibited. Bribery, payment of bribe money and blackmail in particular are forbidden in order to have no influence on representatives of business partners and from the fields of politics, administration, justice or the public.
1.4) Fair competition
Every business activity is subject to the rules of fair competition. We comply with the relevant antitrust laws and laws against unfair competition.
1.5) Protection of intellectual property
We respect the protection of the intellectual property of third parties.
2) Respecting Human Rights
2.1) Prohibition of child labour
We do not employ any members of staff aged below 15. A minimum age of 14 years old, reduced to 13 years in the case of light work, applies in countries with less-developed economies and educational facilities. Dangerous work is only permitted to be carried out by employees who are at least 18 years old. (ILO Conventions 79, 138, 142 and 182; Recommendation 146)
2.2) Prohibition of forced labour
All forms of forced and compulsory labour are forbidden. We are not permitted to force our employees to hand over their identity cards, passports or work permits as a precondition for employment. (ILO Conventions 29 and 105)
2.3) Prohibition of discrimination
Equal opportunities must be provided in terms of job offers, employment and remuneration. We will not discriminate against any individual based on their sex, age, ethnicity, national identity, religion, sexual identity, trade union membership or any disability. (ILO Conventions 100, 111, 143, 158 and 159)
2.4) Prohibition of disciplinary punishments
We will not subject our employees to any form of physical or psychological punishment. This particularly applies in the case that employees report business practices that violate national, international or internal regulations in good faith.
3) Socially Acceptable Working Conditions
3.1) Safe and healthy workplaces
Occupational health and safety must be guaranteed at least within the scope of the national regulations. We have introduced guidelines and procedures for occupational health and safety and informed our employees about them in order to reduce or avoid accidents and occupational illnesses. (ILO Convention 155, Recommendations 164 and 190)
3.2) Living wages
We pay our employees suitable wages and guarantee minimum wages that are determined by law or a collective wage agreement or are in line with the industry standard. Each of our employees should be able to meet the basic needs of his or her nuclear family and still have a freely available income. We guarantee our employees the social benefits to which they are entitled by law. Our wage payments are transparent and are made on a regular basis using legal tender. Illegal and unauthorised salary deductions and deductions made as disciplinary measures are not permitted. (ILO Conventions 26 and 131)
3.3) No excessive working hours
We monitor our employees in order to ensure that they comply with the maximum number working hours that is determined by law or a collective wage agreement or are in line with the industry standard in the country in question. The maximum number of working hours per week should not exceed 60 hours (including overtime). Employees should only work overtime on a voluntary basis and we pay overtime in accordance with legal regulations. Employees are entitled to one day off after six consecutive days of work. Employees are also entitled to a regulated period of annual leave. (ILO Conventions 1 and 14)
3.4) Freedom of association and collective agreement negotiations
Our employees have the right to participate in collective bargaining and become members of trade unions. If no trade unions are permitted in a country for political reasons, we will enable a different form of independent unions. We are not permitted to discriminate against employee representatives due to their function or against unionised employees based on their membership. (ILO Conventions 87, 98, 135 and 154; Recommendation 143)
4) Compliance with Environmental Standards
4.1) Environmentally friendly use of resources
We will reduce our consumption of raw materials to a minimum in every business activity. We will pay particular attention to ensuring the economical use of energy and water. The use of renewable resources will be prioritised where possible.
4.2) Avoiding and reducing environmental impacts
We will reduce all emissions to a minimum in line with the current state of technology. We will monitor harmful emissions and treat them before releasing them into the environment. Waste will be avoided or recycled to the further possible extent. The materials used in our work will be reused where possible. We have developed procedures to regulate the transport, storage and harmless and environmentally friendly treatment and disposal of waste,
4.3) Avoiding hazardous substances
Substances that pose a risk to humans and the environment when released must be avoided where possible. We have introduced a hazardous substance management system in order to ensure the safe use, transport, storage, reprocessing, reuse and disposal of these substances.
4.4) Environmentally friendly products
When developing our products and services, we pay attention to ensuring that their use is economical in terms of consumption of energy and natural resources. Our products should continue to be suitable for reuse, recycling or non-hazardous disposal.
5) Management Systems
We have introduced an integrated management system that guarantees compliance with the principles listed in this document and certifies this compliance in accordance with recognised standards. WEVO has an active quality management system in accordance with the ISO 9001 standard, an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 and the “Sicher mit System” (Safe with a System) occupational health and safety system of the Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention (BG) on the basis of the OHSAS 18001 standard for occupational health and safety. We also have a management system for social responsibility oriented towards requirements on the basis of the SA8000 standard.
6) Implementation
6.1) Monitoring and obligation to provide evidence
We will correctly and comprehensively provide our customers with all information required for an initial assessment within the scope of a self-assessment on request. We will also provide other information as proof of compliance with the code. We will inform our customers about events and occurrences that go against the main principles of the code.
6.2) Involvement of business partners and suppliers
We support WEVO’s business partners and suppliers and encourage them to introduce and implement comparable principles at their companies and to consider them in their corporate policy. WEVO expects its business partners and suppliers to use these principles as a basis for mutual relationships and considers them to be a suitable criterion for long-term business relationships.
7) Final Provision
This joint statement shall take effect on the day on which it is signed. No individual rights or third-party rights whatsoever can be derived from this statement.
Only the German version of this code is binding.
Ahlen, 09.01.2017
WEVO GmbH & Co KG Jörg Weißenborn
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