Social Compliance

Social Compliance is an initiative committed to improving working conditions worldwide. Members are committed to upholding the initiative's code of conduct throughout the supply chain, which is regularly monitored by independent auditing organizations.

Through our membership of Social Compliance, we aim to help align social standards throughout our production chain in India with those of the European Union. To ensure that the European Code of Conduct is fully complied with, we have our production monitored and audited to meet our corporate and social responsibilities. It is important that we are transparent throughout our supply chain to ensure that our Code of Conduct is not violated at any time. Our membership also ensures compliance with all applicable national laws and regulations, as well as industrial standards and conventions. In addition, we guarantee the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as well as the prohibition of discrimination based on gender, age, religion, race, caste, social background, disability, ethnic or national origin, nationality, membership in labor organizations/trade unions, political opinion or sexual orientation.

Social compliance also regulates regular working hours (48 hours per week may not be regularly exceeded, at least one day off per week), overtime (may only be worked voluntarily and is compensated) and its compensation, as well as midst wages and vacation entitlement. In all respects, the regulations must at least meet or exceed the industry standard.

Occupational health and safety is very important to us! Social Compliance also sets strict guidelines on this point. It must be ensured that protective equipment is available to every worker if required. In addition, every worker must have access to drinking water and clean toilets. There must also be access to hygienic food storage. An absolute ban on child labor and forced labor is a matter of course for us and Social Compliance! The Code of Conduct also prohibits any physical or psychological violence, coercion and verbal abuse at the workplace.

The protection of our environment is an important part of our philosophy. Social Compliance requires that waste management, wastewater treatment and the handling of chemicals and emissions, as well as their disposal, at least meet or exceed the minimum legal standards. Social Compliance also checks the risk of corruption.

Membership is terminated in the event of non-compliance or breach of the code.

While all of this is a lot, we are working hard to take this even further in the future and to set our sights even higher in order to provide our customers with a socially responsible, fair, sustainable and high quality product.  We are absolutely aware of our corporate responsibility and are not afraid to carry it conscientiously.