III. 1. Corruption, antitrust law, forced labour and child labour
a) Corruption
In dealing with business partners (customers and suppliers) and state institutions, the interests of the company and the private interests of employees on both sides are to be kept strictly separate. Actions and (purchase) decisions are taken without regard to irrelevant considerations or personal interests.
The respective applicable anti-corruption criminal law is to be complied with. The following, among other things, must be noted:
Offences involving public officials:
The granting of personal benefits (in particular, benefits in kind such as payments and loans, including the giving of smaller gifts over a longer period of time) by Anton Weiss GmbH and their employees to public officials (such as civil servants or public employees) with the objective of receiving benefits for Anton Weiss GmbH or oneself or third parties is not permitted.
Offences in business transactions:
Personal benefits in kind as consideration for preferential treatment in business transactions may be neither offered, promised, granted nor accepted. Likewise, personal benefits may be neither requested nor accepted when dealing with business partners. Anton Weiss GmbH must forbid their employees from allowing themselves to be promised corresponding benefits.
In the course of business, the management and employees of Anton Weiss GmbH may not offer, promise, request, grant or accept gifts, payments, invitations or services which are intentionally granted in order to influence a business decision in an impermissible way or where there is a risk of compromising the professional independence of the business partner. This generally does not apply in the case of gifts and invitations which are part of normal business hospitality, custom and courtesy.
Anton Weiss GmbH can issue a binding guideline on the acceptance and granting of gifts, invitations to hospitality and events. Exceptions with regard to appropriate low-value and symbolic gifts, appropriate business meals and events of the company themselves and from business partners (customers and suppliers) may be regulated in such a guideline. The guideline is to be communicated (published) transparently within Anton Weiss GmbH and to existing and potential business partners.
Anton Weiss GmbH shall make available a contact person who may be contacted should employees of Anton Weiss GmbH experience a conflict of interest or be unsure as to whether a conflict of interest has arisen or could arise.
b) Behaviour toward competitors (antitrust law)
Anton Weiss GmbH respect fair competition. For this reason, Anton Weiss GmbH comply with the applicable laws which protect and promote competition, in particular the applicable antitrust laws and other laws regulating competition.
In dealing with competitors, these provisions forbid, in particular, agreements and other activities which may affect prices or terms and conditions or which in any way present an obstacle to the assignment of sales territories or customers or an impediment to free and open competition. Furthermore, these provisions prohibit agreements between customers and suppliers, by which customers are to be restricted in their economic freedom to autonomously determine their pricing and conditions when reselling (price and condition determination).
In view of the fact that the distinction between impermissible cartels and permissible cooperation can be difficult to determine, Anton Weiss GmbH shall make a contact person available to their employees who can be contacted in instances of doubt.
c) Forced labour and human trafficking
Anton Weiss GmbH reject all forms of forced labour and human trafficking.
d) Child labour
Anton Weiss GmbH observe the United Nations conventions on human rights and the rights of children. In particular, Anton Weiss GmbH undertake to comply with the Convention Concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (Convention 138 of the International Labour Organisation) and the Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (Convention 182 of the International Labour Organisation). Should a national provision concerning child labour provide for stricter measures, they shall have precedence.