What we stand for
Integrity, honesty, respect for human dignity, and the responsible use of our natural resources are very important to us. That is why we pursue an integrally sustainable business approach that we believe is fully consistent with statutory regulations and business integrity. The company and management at the Werner & Mertz Group are unequivocally committed to this position.
Compliance is a given for us in view of our philosophy. We believe that adherence to laws, regulations, guidelines and the rules of the game is a fundamental principle of economically sustainable actions. We observe applicable legal regulations, prohibitions and obligations, even when doing so could cause short-term economic disadvantages to the company or pose special challenges for the people involved. The same applies when following the rules seems unappealing at first and potentially inconvenient for the people involved. Violations are not tolerated and may have personal consequences.
We pursue clear compliance objectives that define our compliance program and regularly produce comprehensive reports on our activities.
Code of Conduct
The company’s integrally sustainable philosophy which determines how we act is reflected in the Werner & Mertz Group Code of Conduct. It summarizes the key compliance rules for lawful and ethical business conduct and builds on our traditional family values of openness, discipline, trust and setting a good example.
We keep an eye on our indirect business environment and attempt to counteract potentially negative effects on the supply chain. For that purpose, we have set up internal processes and have asked relevant vendors to accept the Supplier Code of Conduct,which is based on international conventions and the highest environmental standards.
Supplier Code of Conduct
With the Supplier Code of Conduct, Werner & Mertz ensures that we maintain an ongoing dialog with business partners as we work together to convey and promote our high sustainability standards. We strive to identify ambivalence among suppliers and to recognize early any potential risks that arise from our business relationships and eliminate them promptly.
The Supplier Code of Conduct deals with principles that are firmly anchored by our core value of sustainability. We respect human rights, provide socially acceptable working conditions, behave ethically in business life and implement environmental standards. Our orientation comes from the following conventions and standards:
Whistleblowing
Reliable information helps us to identify violations early on and reduce any damage to our company, employees and business partners. We offer several ways to contact us, including anonymously via our whistleblower system.
All employees in the company group and third parties that do business with the Werner & Mertz Group have the option of providing whistleblower information. Werner & Mertz protects the interests of whistleblowers through its secure whistleblower system and its commitment to treat any information received as confidential and to use all possible means to protect whistleblowers acting in good faith from any disadvantages resulting from filing a report (protection from reprisals).
While clarifying the information received, we also take into account the legitimate interests of the persons affected by the report. Please bear in mind that suspicions and allegations may result in serious consequences for the person involved. Therefore, we ask that you use the whistleblower system responsibly.
Whistleblowers can contact us in the following ways:
You can make direct contact with Compliance Management at the Werner & Mertz Group (email: compliance@werner-mertz.com), submit your information in writing or as a voice message via the whistleblower system, the Werner & Mertz Integrity Line. Click on the link below and you will be redirected to an external site.
The external site contains details on language selection, use, whistleblower anonymity, data privacy, etc.
