DEGUMA Code of Conduct
Our actions are aiming to be a reliable long-term partner - for our customers, team members and our environment. This is why this Code of Conduct applies to our suppliers and service providers.
To respect freedom and human rights is essential to DEGUMA’s business activities. This is the compass for our operations and key to our success. DEGUMA is committed to sustainability. Responsible, decidedly effective and efficient, and sustainable use of the resources we have available, today and in the future are an integral part of these principles. DEGUMA is committed to truthfulness and integrity in all our dealings with employees, customers, suppliers, competitors and other stakeholders. DEGUMA acknowledges that legal and cultural settings vary on a global marketplace. DEGUMA expects all of its business partners to act with the same fairness, truthfulness, responsibility and commitment to corporate social responsibility in all aspects of their business. This Code of Conduct emphasizes important standards that are consistent with DEGUMA's values and that we expect every business partner to observe and comply with.
Business partners follow all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the countries in which they operate and take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with such laws, rules and regulations.
2.1. Combating slavery and human trafficking
Business Partners assure that slavery and human trafficking are ruled out in their business practices and supply chain and that they comply with all applicable laws.
2.2. Compliance with antitrust laws
Business partners ensure that their business practices meet applicable antitrust and competition laws and other laws and regulations dealing, for example, with monopolies, unfair competition, restraints of trade and competition, and relationships with competitors and customers. Business partners will not enter into agreements with competitors or otherwise act in a way that may influence competition in an unfair manner.
2.3 Fighting corruption
DEGUMA does not tolerate corruption. Likewise, business partners do comply with applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations, including those relating to bribery abroad.
Business partners reject any form of corruption, bribery, theft, embezzlement or extortion, likewise they do not tolerate illegal payments, in particular payments or other benefits to an individual, a company or a public official with the aim of influencing decision-making processes. This applies regardless of whether this does or does not actually violate applicable laws. In particular, a business partner will under no circumstances offer, give or accept bribes, kickbacks or other illegal payments, inducements, gifts, entertainment, favors or other benefits or presents of value to facilitate business opportunities in any way related to DEGUMA's business activities.
2.4 Conflict minerals
Business partners are aware of the current laws relating to "conflict minerals" including tin, tantalum, tungsten, their ores and gold from conflict areas, and ensure that these laws are complied with. In addition, business partners will make every effort to avoid the use of raw materials in their products that directly or indirectly fund armed groups that violate human rights.
2.5 Import and export regulations
Business partners comply with all applicable import and export control laws, including but not limited to embargoes and other acts, regulations, government requirements and policies governing the transfer or shipment of goods, technology and payments.
2.6 Prevention of money laundering
We, DEGUMA, expect our business partners to comply with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and that they do not participate in money-laundering activities.
DEGUMA expects employees to act in the best interests of their company. Private interest and personal motivation must not influence any business decision.
DEGUMA and also the business partner avoid any activities or scenarios that may lead to a conflict between the private interest of a DEGUMA employee or the business partner and the business interest of DEGUMA. Whenever a business partner becomes aware of a conflict of interest, it must inform DEGUMA immediately.
DEGUMA endeavors to provide people with goods and, at the same time, maintain our competitiveness. Business Partners treat all people with respect and fairness and comply with basic human rights, in particular prohibition of forced or child labor and payment of decent wages, benefits, working hours, freedom of association and other fair working conditions in accordance with applicable laws. Business Partners maintain a work environment that is free from retaliation, discrimination, harassment, and other dishonest conduct biased by sex, age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, religion, religious beliefs, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. DEGUMA believes that empowering women to participate fully in economic life in all sectors is essential to strengthening the economy, at large, achieving internationally agreed development and sustainability goals, and improving the quality of life for all women, men, families and communities.
With our processes and products, DEGUMA makes a significant contribution to the sustainable use of resources and to the protection of the environment, especially climate protection. DEGUMA endeavors to minimize the use of resources by continuously adapting our production, quality and performance of our products to environmental standards and by reducing the consumption of energy, water, raw materials and supplies. Business Partners comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations and promote, whenever possible, conservation of resources and the protection of the environment. Business Partners support DEGUMA in these efforts to manufacture safe products and deliver safe products to DEGUMA while providing a safe working environment that promotes accident prevention and minimises health risks for their staff.
Business partners comply with all applicable data protection laws. They are responsible to ensure that confidential business information or trade secrets that come to their knowledge in connection with the business activities with DEGUMA are kept strictly confidential and that they are not used in an improper manner or disclosed to a third party. Furthermore, business partners protect and safeguard DEGUMA's intellectual property as confidential information.
DEGUMA considers the provisions of this Code of Conduct to be essential for the business relationship between DEGUMA and the business partner, yet it may adjust them from time to time. Therefore, compliance with the provisions contained herein is essential for the business relationship between DEGUMA and the business partner, and the business partner acknowledges these provisions to be agreed as between them.
In the event of material breaches of this Code of Conduct by the business partner, DEGUMA reserves the right to terminate the business relationship with the business partner, subject to the applicable laws.
The business partner and DEGUMA discuss all issues relating to this Code of Conduct in a trusting and respectful manner.
Corporate social responsibility
As a family-owned company for us it is a matter of course that we manage our company sustainably and show responsible commitment to society.
Sustainability is the central idea of our business model. We combine efficiency with ecology by upgrading existing equipment.
Furthermore, we support various national und local organisations.
Since many years we ar supporting the Point Alpha Foundation which is dedicated to profiling the Point Alpha Memorial as a place of recollection of German partition, as well as the site of documentation and exploration of the Cold War in Europe. As our company is located next to the former inner German border and our employees come from both regions we are especially dedicated to this topic.
Blue Competence
We are a partner of the Blue Competence sustainability initiative. Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA to promote sustainability in the mechanical and plant engineering industry, but also to provide sustainable solutions for the industry. With our partnership, we commit ourselves to adhere to the 12 sustainability principles of the mechanical and plant engineering industry.