Weiss Technik GmbH
Greizer Straße 41-49, 35447 Reiskirchen-Lindenstruth, Germany
Schunk Group sees sustainability as an essential component of its business processes. In our procure-
ment activities, we pay attention not only to process-related, economic and technical criteria but also to
social and ecological aspects such as human rights, fair working conditions, fair competition, prevention
of corruption, and health and environmental protection.
As a technology group with a high level of materials expertise, we procure raw materials, goods and ser-
vices from suppliers worldwide to ensure the sustainable success of our customers with innovative
product and service solutions. The basis for this is a responsible corporate philosophy geared to long-
term value creation. For this reason, we involve suppliers directly in our sustainability strategy.
In the area of conflict between product/performance, market, region and process, quality, reliability,
costs, innovation, integrity and sustainability are essential factors in our selection of suppliers. Schunk
Group will therefore only select suppliers who conduct their business with professionalism and integrity,
share our social and environmental values, and recognize and support our quality standards and health
and safety culture.
Therefore, we expect the following from our suppliers:
This Supplier Code of Conduct sets out the minimum requirements on sustainability issues and defines
the core principles that Schunk Group expects all business partners and suppliers to comply with.
Schunk Group reserves the right to suspend or terminate the business relationship with a supplier who
does not comply with these principles or applicable law at any time.
Employees of Schunk Group as well as all business partners and suppliers have the right to fair, courte-
ous and respectful treatment. No one may be harassed or discriminated against on the basis of their
ethnicity, skin color, nationality, ancestry, gender, sexual identity, faith or religious affiliation, ideology,
political views, age, physical constitution, appearance or other personal characteristics.
Schunk expects that its suppliers also promote equal opportunities and equal treatment and prevent
discrimination in the hiring of employees as well as in the promotion or granting of training and further
education measures.
No employee of a supplier may be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, age, skin color, cul-
ture, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual identity, sex, disability, religious affiliation, political views or ideol-
ogy.
Schunk Group rejects any form of child labor, including among its business partners, customers, suppli-
ers and their subcontractors. The definition of child labor is based on the principles of the United Na-
tions Global Compact.
Schunk therefore expects its suppliers to prohibit and refrain from any kind of child labor in their com-
panies and along the supply chain.
Any form of slavery is incompatible with our ethical foundations. We expect our suppliers and their sub-
contractors to fight against any form of modern slavery and human trafficking along the supply chain
and not tolerate it under any circumstances.
Schunk is committed to the principles of social responsibility. It is therefore in the company's interest
that fair working conditions apply worldwide in Schunk Group. Compliance with all local legislation on
minimum wages, social benefits, overtime, working and break times and working conditions is a matter
of course for Schunk.
Schunk therefore also expects its suppliers to comply with all employee rights of the respective applica-
ble national legislation as well as fair working conditions worldwide.
The right of all employees to form and join trade unions and employee representative bodies is recog-
nized by suppliers. Where this right is limited by local law, alternative means of employee representa-
tion that comply with the law shall be encouraged.
Suppliers must pay employees on time and in accordance with applicable wage laws, including minimum
wages, overtime, prohibition of excessive overtime and mandated benefits.
Safety in the workplace and the safety of our products are a fundamental principle for Schunk. Pro-
cesses, operating facilities and equipment, as well as all workplaces must comply with the applicable le-
gal obligations for occupational safety, health and fire protection.
Schunk therefore expects its suppliers to know and comply with the applicable national legislation on
health protection, occupational safety and fire protection. We require that suppliers have an appropri-
ate occupational safety organization. This includes, for example, the containment of actual and potential
occupational safety risks by means of suitable protective measures and the deployment of employees
who are sufficiently qualified and instructed to carry out their work more safely.
Schunk welcomes its suppliers having a certified occupational safety management system and positively
considers this in its supplier selection process.
Protection of the environment is an integral part of Schunk's corporate policy and this is therefore also
consistently required of all suppliers.
Schunk expects its suppliers to know and comply with the applicable national legislation on environmen-
tal protection. This also includes compliance with all official requirements and product-related environ-
mental regulations in the destination country.
We require that suppliers have an appropriate environmental protection organization and ensure the
protection of the following protected goods:
For Schunk, it is also a matter of course that our suppliers also assume responsibility for damage already
incurred and caused by their own business activities and make their contribution to repairing the dam-
age or minimizing the effects of the damage.
Schunk welcomes its suppliers having a certified environmental management system and positively con-
siders this in the context of its supplier selection.
Suppliers must conduct business in accordance with fair and vigorous competition and in compliance
with applicable competition law. Suppliers must adhere to fair business practices, including accurate and
truthful advertising.
Any bribery, corruption, extortion, money laundering and embezzlement are prohibited. Suppliers may
not grant benefits, offer, pay or accept bribes. This also applies to illegal inducements (e.g., bribes) and
any illegal influence in business or government relations. Nor may intermediaries (e.g., subcontractors,
wholesalers, agencies, consultants) be used to conduct or support such unlawful activities.
Suppliers must therefore implement effective fraud prevention and reporting programs and report to
Schunk all incidents of fraud (confirmed or under investigation) related to their business relationship
with Schunk.
Suppliers in an existing business relationship with Schunk or those seeking such a relationship may not
offer gifts, gratuities, entertainment, meals or entertainment activities that could influence the em-
ployee(s) decision regarding the business relationship with Schunk.
The use of Schunk's name, trademarks/brands or other similar information in any advertising, media
publication or product recommendation of Supplier is prohibited without the prior written consent of
Schunk.
Suppliers should avoid any interactions with Schunk employees that could create or appear to create a
conflict with Schunk. For example, suppliers may not employ Schunk employees or otherwise make pay-
ments to them that have not been approved in advance by Schunk.
Schunk expects its suppliers to comply with all relevant legal obligations to prevent money laundering
and not to engage in money laundering activities.
All intellectual property rights must be respected by suppliers. The transfer of technologies and know-
how must be implemented in such a way that the protection of intellectual property rights of the re-
spective owner is ensured.
For this reason, the use of plagiarized or counterfeit materials is prohibited. The Schunk Group does not
approve of the use, further processing or marketing of counterfeit products. In addition, detected coun-
terfeit products are not put into circulation by the supplier, but are reported to the relevant law en-
forcement authorities.
The supplier undertakes to observe human rights and environmental due diligence obligations in an ap-
propriate manner in its respective supply chains.
The requirements of the Supply Chain Act must be complied within its scope of local application.
Suppliers must comply with all applicable import and export control laws, regulations and sanctions of
the country in which the supplier is located and all countries in which transactions are conducted, in-
cluding import, export, re-export, transfer or disclosure.
This includes all types of transactions of goods, software, technology or technical assistance that may be
subject to trade restrictions, regardless of the type of transfer. Suppliers must cooperate with Schunk in
determining applicable export control restrictions. In addition, suppliers must fully comply with other
applicable trade and customs laws.
Suppliers must comply with and respect all personal data protection and privacy laws. Suppliers use per-
sonal data (e.g., of employees or business partners of Schunk Group) only in accordance with the legal
requirements for data protection.
Suppliers must protect confidential information, including personal data, received from or processed on
behalf of Schunk and actively prevent loss, misuse, theft, fraud, unauthorized access, disclosure or alter-
ation and promptly report any potential breaches or security vulnerabilities. Suppliers should apply an
appropriate information security system
Suppliers shall ensure that the products supplied to Schunk do not contain any metals extracted from
minerals or their derivatives that originate from conflict areas in which armed groups commit serious
human rights violations and are directly or indirectly financed or favored. Furthermore, the guidelines of
EU Regulation 2017/821 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act must be
strictly adhered to.
In order to determine the compliance of suppliers with the principles and requirements of this Schunk
Supplier Code of Conduct, we reserve the right to check these ourselves, through third parties or by
means of supplier self-assessments.
Furthermore, Schunk expects its suppliers to implement these standards in an appropriate form.
In addition, on-site audits can be carried out by Schunk or a third party commissioned by Schunk or by
the customer in coordination with the supplier.
Schunk is provided with these audit results, which have a direct influence on supplier evaluation and ap-
proval as a supplier. Any violation of the principles and requirements stated in the Schunk Supplier Code
of Conduct shall be considered a material impairment of the contractual relationship on the part of the
suppliers. In case of suspicion of non-compliance with the described principles and requirements of the
Schunk Supplier Code of Conduct, Schunk reserves the right to request further information on the rele-
vant facts from the supplier.
Furthermore, Schunk has the right to terminate without notice individual or all contractual relationships
with suppliers who demonstrably do not comply with this Supplier Code of Conduct or who do not strive
for and implement improvement measures.
This Supplier Code of Conduct is permanently available to all suppliers of Schunk Group on the Schunk
Group homepage.
Each supplier shall refer its employees to this Code of Conduct and explain its contents. Every supplier of
Schunk is called upon to examine their own conduct on the basis of the above standards and instruc-
tions for action and, if necessary, to adapt them.
Violations of this Supplier Code of Conduct will not be tolerated and may also result in civil or criminal
penalties.
If supplier employees believe that Schunk employees or anyone acting for or on behalf of Schunk has
engaged in illegal or otherwise unauthorized activity, they must report it immediately to Schunk.
Schunk Group has set up a whistleblower system by appointing an external lawyer as an ombudsman
(lawyer of confidence), which can also be used by suppliers.
This ombudsman is available at any time and free of charge as a contact person to all suppliers who wish
to make a confidential reference to the suspicion of a criminal offense or similarly serious irregularities
with reference to Schunk Group.
Due to the lawyer's duty of confidentiality, it is ensured that the identity of whistleblowers is reliably
protected and not disclosed to Schunk Group.
Address: Dr. Rainer Buchert, Buchert Jacob Partner Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB
Kaiserstrasse 22, 60311 Frankfurt am Main/Germany
Telephone: +49 69 710 333 30
Email: kanzlei@dr-buchert.de
Information can also be provided via a contact form on the Buchert Jacob Partner website:
www.ombudsperson-frankfurt.de/de.
Greizer Straße 41-49, 35447 Reiskirchen-Lindenstruth, Germany