1. The basis: Compliance with the laws and conventions

The Martin Braun-Gruppe respects the applicable law and expects the same from its employees and business partners ("Suppliers"). This shall apply irrespective of whether it concerns domestic, foreign or supranational laws, ordinances, conventions or other regulations (hereinafter "Laws") and whether it concerns laws relating to health, safety, environment, competition, customs duties or the individual or collective labour law, etc. According to the Laws it is also strictly forbidden to induce third parties to conduct unlawful acts or to assist in such acts.

2. Separation of private and company interests

The employees of the Martin Braun-Gruppe are obliged to make their business decisions in the best interest of the Martin Braun-Gruppe and without being influenced by personal interests. Therefore, Suppliers may not have an effect on and influence the personal interests of an employee of the Martin Braun-Gruppe or a person closely associated with them. With the decision concerning the business relationship only objective criteria count for the Martin Braun-Gruppe: Suppliers are principally only selected according to appropriate, objective criteria such as in particular the price, quality and the existence of a quality management, reliability, technological standard, product suitability as well as the existence of a long-lasting and conflict-free business relationship. In no way may personal relationships or interests have an influence on the conclusion of a contract. The Suppliers have to disclose existing and possible conflicts of interest in writing.

3. No violations of anti-corruption laws

Owing to international conventions for the combatting of the corruption of office holders, employees of the public administration and in business transactions similarly strict regulations apply worldwide so that corruption committed overseas (bribery and acceptance of benefits) is also punishable according to domestic law. The Suppliers accordingly have to pay attention hereto. Therefore, the Suppliers also have to pay attention that the employees of the Martin Braun-Gruppe may neither request, nor accept unjustified personal benefits from Suppliers in connection with their business activity so that the Suppliers may not offer these either. Exclusively permitted are generally customary low-value advertising gifts for business use. Invitations (to business meals, etc.), which are for a business reason, remain within a reasonable framework and are not suitable for influencing business decisions in a dishonest manner, are permitted by complying with the applicable recording obligations according to the corruption laws.

4. Protection of business secrets

Suppliers receive confidential information from the Martin Braun-Gruppe for negotiations, offers and for the subsequent execution of the contract. Therefore, the Suppliers are obliged to maintain secrecy concerning all business and trade secrets of the Martin Braun-Gruppe as well as other internal confidential matters of the Martin Braun-Gruppe. Deemed as confidential are both the information, which is marked as such, as well as that of which it is to be assumed that it is not known to the public and is not to be made known either, e.g. because it may be of benefit for competitors or with its disclosure may harm the Martin Braun-Gruppe or other business partners. The non-disclosure obligation shall exist both during the contractual relationship as well as after its termination. Confidential information is to be protected against unauthorized inspection by third parties; within the company the Suppliers have to ensure that confidential information may only be forwarded to the employees, who require this in order to fulfil their tasks and are accordingly obliged to confidentiality.

5. Social responsibility

The Martin Braun-Gruppe expects the compliance with the internationally recognised human rights by complying with the laws which are applicable in this respect from the Suppliers. This includes for the protection of the employees that the Suppliers neither practice any form of forced labour, nor corporal punishment nor any child labour within the meaning of the conventions of the ILO (International Labour Organization) or the applicable national laws, employees are not unlawfully discriminated against and complies with the laws governing working hours. The Suppliers have to work towards ensuring that at least these standards as well as those at its sub-suppliers are complied with.

6. Sustainability

The Martin Braun-Gruppe endeavours to handle environmental resources in a gentle manner as far as possible, to avoid dangers for people and the environment and to continuously improve all methods and processes with the aim of further reducing environmental pollution. The Martin Braun-Gruppe also expects this from its Suppliers.

7. Indications of violations

If Suppliers receive indications of breaches of this Code of Conduct by own acts, those of their employees, competitors or employees of the Martin Braun-Gruppe, the Martin Braun-Gruppe expects to be notified immediately. The Suppliers have the possibility to report this breach either to their contact at the Martin Braun-Gruppe, their superiors or the Compliance Officer by email to compliance@martinbraun.de. If the Suppliers assume that they will suffer disadvantages through the notification they can request an initially confidential examination of the possible breach with their report to the Compliance Officer.