DE

Supply Chain Due Diligence Act
Declaration of principles on respect for human rights and the environment

The Management Board of Gi-Unit GmbH has adopted a declaration of principles on respect for human rights and the environment.

It includes the obligation to respect human rights and environmental concerns within the company's own business activities and in its supply chains, thereby preventing the violation of human rights and environmental protection concerns.

At the same time, affected parties can report such violations to Gi-Unit GmbH via an internal reporting system set up for this purpose (see "Procedural Regulation on the Complaints Procedure" below) and demand remedial action.

Here you can find our policy statement.

Here you can find our supplier code of conduct.

1. How We Respect Human Rights and the Environment

Gi-Unit GmbH (“Gi-Unit”) does not conduct any operational or productive business. The purpose of the company is to hold and/or manage its own assets and to acquire, hold, manage and/or sell investments in other companies/companies, particularly in the field of information and communication technology and digitalisation.

Nevertheless, the Gi-Unit is obliged to comply with human and related environmental rights in accordance with the German Supply Chain Duties Act (LkSG) and takes this obligation seriously in its own non-operational business area and in relation to its suppliers.

Gi-Unit is committed to respecting human rights and the environment and to taking responsibility for its supply and value chain.

We are committed to respecting human rights and environmental concerns within our own business activities and in our supply chains and to ensuring that human rights and environmental violations are prevented and that those affected have access to remedies.

This declaration of principles applies to our employees in all areas of the company and contains the obligation to always behave fairly towards colleagues, business partners and suppliers and in compliance with legal requirements.

Similarly, we expect our business partners and suppliers to be equally committed to respecting human rights and protecting the environment, to endeavour to establish appropriate due diligence processes and to pass these expectations on to their own suppliers.

Recognised Guidelines and Standards

In accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), Gi-Unit is committed in particular to the following internationally recognised human rights and environmental standards:

Respect for Human Rights and the Environment in Detail

We oppose any violation of internationally recognised human rights and working conditions.

On the one hand, this concerns direct human rights violations such as:

But also human rights violations due to environmental risks such as:

How We Implement Our Duties of Care in Accordance with the LKSG

Respect for human and environmental rights and their consideration within the supply chain is a continuous process. Compliance with due diligence obligations is therefore subject to regular review and further development in line with changing conditions and our business and entrepreneurial activities.

Therefore, we have defined structures and responsibilities and subject our business operations and the associated supply chains to regular risk analyses, from which preventive and corrective measures are derived and implemented accordingly where necessary.

Responsibilities for the fulfilment of and compliance with all human rights and environmental due diligence obligations are defined in risk management.

The Managing Board is responsible for respecting human rights and the environment in our business activities as well as in the upstream and downstream supply and value chains. In addition, Gi-Unit has appointed a Human Rights Officer who monitors risk management as defined by the LkSG, ensures operational implementation through coordination and monitoring activities, and reports to the Management Board at least once a year.

Specialist departments are involved in the operational implementation of the due diligence processes, which are in close contact with the Human Rights Officer and report to her.

Risk Analysis

As part of our regular risk analysis, we gain knowledge of potential and actual detrimental risks and effects of our business operations along the entire value chain. In particular, this includes analyzing the human rights and environmental risks and impacts of all procured goods/products and services. Company-wide risk and supplier management in accordance with the LkSG is based on this, including the implementation of additional measures, such as preventative and remedial measures, the adaptation of internal guidelines and processes or training to raise awareness. Reported complaints and other criticism from third parties are also taken into account.

We develop and improve processes and procedures and standardize them wherever possible. The conformity of internal processes is regularly checked by external auditors. This applies, for example, to our ISO 9001 certification (quality management) and our EMAS seal of approval.

We communicate this policy statement both internally (e.g., to employees) and externally (e.g., to suppliers).

Complaints Management

Gi-Unit takes violations of human and environmental rights very seriously and provides a reporting system through which any person can report actual or suspected violations by Gi-Unit or its business partners or suppliers, including confidentially.

All kinds of information and complaints about the behavior of Gi-Unit or its direct and indirect suppliers can be submitted here by name or anonymously, also in English. You can access here our complaint system. We have defined, documented, and internally communicated processes for our complaint system.

Confidentiality and the protection of whistleblowers are a matter of course for us. We ensure, as far as possible through our influence, that whistleblowers are protected from discrimination and punishment in connection with the information/complaints they report.

We follow up every complaint conscientiously, as it is our declared aim to use reports/complaints and the knowledge and insights gained from them to continuously improve our care processes with regard to human rights and the environment.

We report on the further implementation and development of the LkSG in our report to the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). You can find the report on the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) below.