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The BASF Group expresses its commitment to responsible behavior and integrity in its "Values and Principles".
Such a commitment means that, as an international company, we take account of the legal and cultural contexts in the countries in which we operate. We therefore expect our employees to comply with the respective national laws and generally accepted business practices consistent with these laws. Executives, in particular, must act as role models and demonstrate a high level of social and ethical competence. This high level of conduct demanded of employees is matched by the undertaking to give all employees the information and support they need.
Regional and national standards make varying demands on the behavior of our employees. The Code of Conduct of BASF SE and the German Group companies is part of the Compliance Program that BASF initiated in 2000. It applies to all employees of the BASF Group in Germany. The BASF Group companies in the various regions and countries issue separate Codes of Conduct that are binding on their employees. These Codes, too, are based on the Values and Principles of the BASF Group and take local laws and customs into account. In the case of business dealings which are undertaken abroad by employees of a German Group company or which have effects in foreign countries, local laws and regulations must also be complied with.
The Code of Conduct for the BASF Group in Germany uses examples to describe the legal requirements that govern the behavior of all employees in areas of importance to our company. Other laws and regulations may apply in specific fields of activity. It is intended to review the Code on a regular basis.
Even seemingly insignificant infringements of the law by employees can seriously harm our company’s reputation and inflict considerable damage, including financial damage. We do not tolerate any such infringements and will not indemnify those responsible against sanctions by the state. Any violation of laws and other statutory regulations may have far-reaching consequences for the employee under both labor and criminal law.
In many cases, infringements of the law can be avoided by timely advice. Every employee is expected to seek advice or help either from his or her superior or from the relevant departments, human resources or the legal department if he or she has doubts about the legal implications of his or her own conduct or if there is any indication of legally dubious practices in his or her working environment. In addition, employees are offered the opportunity to use an external hotline to obtain information, to make suggestions or to communicate concerns.
For this purpose a toll-free hotline is operated with an independent law firm. This hotline (at telephone number 0800-7142128) can be called on workdays:
- Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The calls will be taken by a lawyer of the Mannheim office of Shearman & Sterling who is specifically trained in this area. This lawyer will draw up a report on the case described and pass it on to BASF SE’s Compliance Hotline Officer, who will initiate the review of the case. Messages can also be left anonymously, i.e., without giving the name. All cases reported will be followed up.
Further, employees may use this hotline, if desired anonymously, to report accounting matters, which they consider questionable or legally dubious. The respective lawyer will promptly pass on a record of the call to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board of BASF SE who will then decide on the further handling of the complaint.
Our company guarantees that employees need not fear any repercussions or any other discrimination due to the use of the hotline as such.
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