REPORTING SYSTEM (DEUTSCHE VERSION: CLICK HERE)

On February 24, 2023, the Federal Act on the Procedure and Protection of Information on Violations of the Law in Certain Legal Areas (Whistleblower Protection Act – HSchG) came into force. This is based on the EU Whistleblower Directive (EU/2019/1937). This law obliges companies to set up reporting channels so that people (whistleblowers) can report violations confidentially.

Information is treated confidentially and the identity of the whistleblower is kept secret. The identity of whistleblowers must be protected by internal and external bodies. This also applies to all other information from which the identity of whistleblowers can be directly or indirectly deduced. Disclosure is only permitted in very specific, strictly limited cases.

The reporting system is not intended for general complaints or inquiries.