instructions and guidelines. To ensure this policy’s local regulations, human rights abuses, or the use of organization in Germany in 2024. As global regulations correct application, we are training our internal supply child labor, we initiate follow-up actions, either internally and supply chain acts continue to evolve, such as community on sustainable sourcing. In addition, we or through Bureau Veritas for on-site veri昀椀cation. the European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence have systematically introduced mandatory e-training to During the reporting year, a total of 44 audits were Directive, we keep on proactively preparing for future educate the supply community on (product) compliance conducted to assess compliance with our Code of requirements. topics related to procurement. Conduct for Suppliers. The audit results indicate that Business Ethics: p. 56 all suppliers performed satisfactorily, and none required Our standard supplier assessment process a reassessment. The SAP Ariba supplier relationship management incorporates sustainable sourcing principles as a Business Ethics: p. 56 system is the basis for handling all supplier-related fundamental component. To uphold our supplier information digitally on one platform. We are already standards, our Code of Conduct for Suppliers We are committed to the ten principles of the UN connected to almost all of our roughly 650 core stipulates a risk-based approach, and we have Global Compact and to respecting internationally suppliers via this system. These core suppliers established Sustainable Sourcing Policies for both direct recognized human rights, as set out in the Universal handle 99 percent of our total purchasing volume and indirect material sourcing. Since 2018, we have Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration of of direct materials. Our goal is to have the contract implemented a multi-factor, risk-based assessment the International Labor Organization on fundamental documentation and communication of all suppliers for all direct materials suppliers. We are ensuring a principles and rights at work, and we are committed on this one platform, including those from whom we thorough risk assessment through third-party solutions to protecting these rights. We have published modern purchase our indirect supplies, such as of昀椀ce supplies such as Integrity Next (self-assessment) and PreWave slavery statements in accordance with the applicable and services. This enables us to document standards, (external 360° assessment). To ensure compliance legislation, for example under the UK Modern Slavery product compliance statements, agreements and audit with our relevant standards, our sustainable sourcing Act 2015, and under the Australian Modern Slavery Act results, helping us in systematically cultivating our policies also serve as internal guidance, managed by 2018. For the purposes of these statements, we have supplier relationships. in-house experts responsible for verifying supplier considered the de昀椀nitions of modern slavery, which contract compliance. Additionally, we collaborate with cover various forms of exploitation including slavery, The close collaboration with our suppliers enables us Bureau Veritas to assess compliance with domestic servitude and forced or compulsory labor; human to directly incorporate feedback and common insights. regulations and high standards for employee treatment, traf昀椀cking; sexual exploitation and forced marriage; During the reporting year, we intensi昀椀ed the exchange including working conditions and safety. Prior to child labor; deceptive recruiting practices and debt with selected major suppliers, conducting workshops establishing a new serial supplier, we conduct special bondage. to identify potential product improvements. We started audits which focus on product quality. In cases where with an exchange exploring our common sustainability a business partner violates the agreed-upon standards In 2023, we reported for the 昀椀rst time under the strategy, our values and goals, and proceeded with and fails to demonstrate suf昀椀cient improvement, we Norwegian Transparency Act. Moreover, we have deep dives into the sourcing strategy, elaborating our terminate the business relationship. Moreover, if there begun to publish a declaration of principles according expectations towards our suppliers. Whistleblowing is a suspicion or indication of a violation of our Code of to the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence in and grievance mechanisms are available via our Conduct for Suppliers, such as non-compliance with Supply Chains (LkSG), which will be applicable for our “SpeakUp” hotline for our suppliers.