STF Business Partner

Code of Conduct

Objective of the STF Business Partner Code of Conduct

In this STF Code of Conduct for Business Partners, STF Gruppe GmbH (hereinafter referred to as STF Group) has laid down its requirements and principles for cooperation with its business partners, in particular for compliance with ethical standards, applicable law and integrity. Business partners are all companies not belonging to the STF Group from which STF purchases goods and services and provides goods and services to STF. These may be for example customers, suppliers, consultants, representatives, other suppliers of goods and services, etc.. The STF Group expects its business partners to implement and comply with the principles set out in this Business Partner Code of Conduct in all business areas worldwide.

1. General Principles

The STF Group is committed to sustainability and is committed to the United Nations’ Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. Economic success and socially responsible action are not contradictory – they are mutually dependent. Sustainable and responsible action is therefore an important basis for cooperation with our business partners.

 

We therefore expect our business partners to

  • conduct their business activities with integrity, i.e. in particular comply with the law applicable to them, e.g. human rights, anti-corruption, data protection, competition, antitrust and environmental law, and
  • to ensure that the principles set out in this STF Business Partner Code of Conduct are also respected by their own business partners and to promote them accordingly, and
  • act honestly, responsibly and fairly.

 

  * As a rule, we use gender-neutral terms. Where this did not seem possible or where it impairs readability, the male form includes the female form, e.g. the word “employee” also includes female employees.

2. social responsibility of our business partners

We are convinced that the assumption of social responsibility is an essential factor for the sustainable success of a company and thus an indispensable component of value-oriented corporate management. We therefore expect our business partners to act in accordance with the following principles:

 

Human rights:

Our business partners respect recognized human rights.

Child labour and forced labour:

Our business partners strictly reject child labour and comply with the applicable regulations on the prohibition of child labour. In addition, our business partners do not tolerate any form of forced labour.

Equal opportunities:

Our business partners promote diversity within the company and do not tolerate discrimination in the employment of employees.

Freedom of assembly:

The business partners of the STF Group recognise the laws applicable to them on freedom of assembly and the formation of interest groups and stand up for the protection of the rights of their employees guaranteed therein in their business units.

Security:

The safety of people has top priority and is one of the central values of our business partners. Together with their employees, our business partners ensure a safe working environment and safety-related qualifications as well as the safety of their products and services.

Occupational health and safety:

Through consistent, preventive occupational health and safety, our business partners avert personal hazards and support the health of their employees through appropriate working conditions. For our business partners, the safety of their employees is a central requirement of their entrepreneurial actions.

Environmental protection:

Our business partners comply with the environmental standards applicable to them and are committed to the principles of sustainable management and to environmental protection as an entrepreneurial value parameter.

Terms and conditions of employment:

The applicable laws and agreements with their social partners are complied with by our business partners. Our business partners pay their employees reasonable wages.

Privacy Policy

Our business partners observe all applicable laws for the protection of personal data, in particular of employees, business partners and customers.

3. Anticorruption

The STF Group does not tolerate any form of corruption or other unfair business practices. Transparency and openness are fundamental prerequisites for the STF Group to ensure trust and credibility in business dealings and dealings with business partners.

 

Corruption:

Our business partners do not tolerate any form of corruption or bribery.

Consultants/Agents/Mediaries:

The remuneration of consultants or suppliers may not be used to grant undue advantages to business partners, customers or other third parties. Our business partners shall carefully select their consultants or suppliers according to appropriate suitability criteria.

Avoidance of conflicts of interest:

Our business partners avoid conflicts of interest that could lead to corruption risks.

Invitations and gifts:

In connection with their activities for the STF Group, our business partners only accept or issue invitations if they are appropriate, are not in anticipation of improper consideration or other preferential treatment and do not violate applicable law (in particular anti-corruption laws). The same applies to the acceptance or granting of gifts, other benefits or advantages of any kind.

Conduct towards public officials:

Our business partners do not tolerate any form of illegal material or immaterial benefits (including their offering) to public officials or persons comparable to them (regardless of whether directly or indirectly via third parties).

Political Parties:

Our business partners will also not tolerate any unlawful material or immaterial contributions of any kind (e.g. unlawful donations) to political parties, their representatives or to elected officials and candidates for political office.

Donations / Sponsoring:

Donations are made by our business partners only on a voluntary basis and without expectation of consideration. Sponsorship of individuals, groups or organizations is not used to gain unlawful business advantages.

Money laundering:

Our business partners take appropriate measures to prevent money laundering in their companies.

4. Behaviour of our business partners

The STF Group is committed to always acting as a fair and responsible market participant and expects the same from its business partners.

 

Competition and antitrust law:

Our business partners comply with all relevant competition law requirements. In particular, they do not enter into any agreements or arrangements that influence prices, conditions, strategies or customer relationships, especially participation in tenders. The same applies to the exchange of competition-sensitive information and to other conduct that restricts or may restrict competition in an inadmissible manner.

Export and import controls / Counter-terrorism:

Particularly with regard to global business activities, our business partners ensure compliance with all applicable laws for the import and export of goods, services and information and for combating international terrorism.

5. Compliance with the STF Business Partner Code of Conduct

The STF Group does not tolerate any form of corruption or other unfair business practices. Transparency and openness are fundamental prerequisites for the STF Group to ensure trust and credibility in business dealings and dealings with business partners.

 

Commitment to compliance:

Our business partners shall ensure that they comply with the principles set out in this STF Business Partner Code of Conduct.

Notes to the STF Group:

Our business partners take the opportunity to inform the STF management of any crimes committed in the course of their activities for the STF Group which may have an impact on the STF Group.

Protection of whistleblowers:

Our business partners do not tolerate discrimination against persons who report violations of the principles set out in this STF Business Partner Code of Conduct.

Supply chain:

Our business partners carefully select their suppliers to whom they commission as part of their activities for the STF Group, communicate the principles set out in this STF Business Partner Code of Conduct or equivalent to them and are committed to ensuring that these principles are also complied with by their suppliers.

Consequences:

The STF Group attaches great importance to a cooperative partnership between itself and its business partners. In the case of minor breaches of this STF Code of Conduct for Business Partners, the business partner is therefore generally given the opportunity to implement appropriate remedial measures within a reasonable period of time, provided that the business partner is prepared to remedy and improve the situation in principle. In the event of serious infringements (in particular the commission of criminal offences), however, the STF Group reserves the right to appropriate sanctions against the respective business partner. This may also lead to the immediate termination of the business relationship and to the assertion of claims for damages and other rights.

If you are unsure or have any questions, please contact your responsible contact person in the STF Group.

 

For the STF Gruppe GmbH:

Management of STF Tele Consult GmbH

Management of STF Placement GmbH

Management of STF Energy GmbH

Management of STF ITech GmbH

 

 

 

Dülmen                                                                                                          Valid from: September 2016