DISPOREON - Code of ethics and business conduct

1. Introductory words of the founders

The ethical foundations and our commitment to ethical behavior are of great importance to the activities of Disporeon GmbH. We are aware of our responsibilities and conduct our business in accordance with a culture of ethics and compliance. Our employees are expected to always act legally, ethically and in the best interests of the company.

To successfully compete in a competitive market environment, it is important to accept moral responsibilities both as individuals and as a company. Through our values and support for the implementation of ethical standards, we not only ensure the provision of high-quality products and services at fair prices, but also that ethics and integrity are always in the forefront.

We ensure to only source products and services from suppliers with an impeccable record regarding human rights and compliance and monitor our supply chain to ensure that it is of high integrity. We monitor our entire operation for compliance with our code to ensure that we always adhere to the highest ethical standards.

2. Introduction

The Disporeon GmbH Code of Ethics and Business Conduct serves as our moral commitment and as a guide for proper behavior in all areas of our company. At Disporeon GmbH, we commit to conducting our business in a legal, ethical, and transparent manner. This code applies to all employees and organizations that do business with us.

We expect our employees to be impartial and honest in all matters pertaining to their work. All employees are required to act to the best of their knowledge and conscience and to do nothing that could destroy the trust placed in them. The success of our company depends on the trust we enjoy from our employees and customers.

We gain credibility by committing to fairness and achieving our goals solely through ethical behavior. Employees are expected to abide by this code in both their professional and personal conduct and to treat everyone with respect, honesty, and fairness.

Disporeon GmbH is always open to questions and will not allow any retaliation or punishment against anyone who reports misconduct in good faith. Managers have a higher responsibility to demonstrate the importance of this code through their actions. They are responsible for ensuring that any ethical questions or concerns are addressed immediately.

Violations of this code are considered misconduct, which can justify disciplinary action up to and including termination. We also commit to applying our values and standards throughout our entire supply chain of suppliers, sub-contractors, service providers and business partners.

3. Ethical Principles and Values

Ethical principles and values are of the utmost importance to Disporeon GmbH. Our company commits to conducting business in a legal, ethical, and transparent manner. We believe that adherence to the highest moral standards is the foundation for successful and sustainable business practices.

Disporeon GmbH has nine core values that form the basis for our actions:

4. Ethical Decision-Making

Ethical decision-making is of the utmost importance to Disporeon GmbH. Our company commits to conducting business in a legal, ethical, and transparent manner. This means that we are aware of the moral responsibility in every decision we make and we align with our ethical principles.

An important aspect of ethical decision-making is considering the impact of our decisions on all stakeholders, including our employees, customers, suppliers, environment, and society. We ensure that every decision we make is fair and just and that it aligns with our values and ethical principles.

Another crucial element of ethical decision-making is compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We ensure that all our decisions are legal and regulated and that we abide by all applicable laws and regulations.

5. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Integrity is an essential component of our business practices at Disporeon GmbH. We commit to conducting business in a legal and ethical manner and comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Our commitment to compliance with laws and regulations starts with observing all relevant industry-specific laws and regulations that apply to our company. This also includes complying with any valid and binding contractual agreements we enter into. We do not abuse our rights and ensure that our business practices are always legal and appropriate.

Our employees are required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, at all times and to ensure compliance with the law. We regularly train our employees to ensure that they understand and can apply the applicable laws and regulations.

6. Balancing Profit, Protecting People and Resources for the Planet

Sustainability is of paramount importance to Disporeon GmbH. Our company is committed to not only achieving economic profit, but also ensuring that our actions do not harm people and the planet.

An important part of our sustainability strategy is responsibility towards our employees. We ensure that our employees can work in a safe and healthy environment and that they are fairly compensated. We also provide training and development opportunities to ensure that our employees can reach their full potential.

Another important element of our sustainability strategy is responsibility towards our environment. We take care to conserve our natural resources and contribute to minimizing environmental impact. We rely on renewable energy, reduce energy and resource consumption, and advocate for sustainable value chains.

We understand that economic success and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. By combining economic success and sustainability, we create long-term value for our employees, customers and society as a whole.

7. Human Rights

Compliance with human rights is an important aspect of Disporeon GmbH's business practices. We are committed to respecting and protecting the rights of all individuals with whom we conduct business.

An important part of our commitment to human rights compliance is monitoring our supply chain. We ensure that our suppliers and service providers adhere to the same high standards of human rights compliance that we apply in our own company. We do not accept products and services from suppliers that violate human rights or have poor compliance records.

We believe that compliance with human rights is not only morally right but also important for the long-term success of our company. By protecting the rights of all individuals and maintaining high ethical standards, we create a positive and trustworthy reputation and strengthen our relationships with our customers, suppliers and society as a whole.

8. Fair Labor Practices and Working Conditions

Our company is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all our employees and offering fair compensation and working conditions.

An important part of our commitment to fair labor practices is compliance with all applicable labor laws and regulations. We ensure that our employees receive fair compensation and working hours, and that all working conditions comply with regulations.

We also provide training and development opportunities for our employees to ensure that they are able to reach their full potential. We believe that investing in the development of our employees plays a vital role in creating a positive working environment.

Our company also advocates for fair labor practices throughout the entire supply chain and expects the same from our suppliers and contractors. We regularly monitor our supply chain to ensure that all parties are offering fair working conditions and fair compensation.

We believe that creating fair working conditions and labor practices is not only morally right, but also crucial for the long-term success of our company. By creating a positive and fair working environment, we ensure that our employees are motivated and engaged, and that we are able to build positive relationships with our customers, suppliers, and society as a whole.

9. Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination and harassment have no place at Disporeon GmbH. Our company is committed to creating a work environment where all employees are respected and treated equally, regardless of their race, ethnic origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical characteristics, physical or mental abilities, or any other protected status.

We have a strict policy against discrimination and harassment that must be adhered to by all employees. Any form of discrimination or harassment that is reported will be quickly and thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.

10. Focus on Health, Safety, and the Environment

Health, safety, and the environment are of the utmost importance to Disporeon GmbH. We are committed to protecting our employees, customers, and the environment and ensuring that all of our business practices are safe and sustainable.

An important part of our commitment to protecting health, safety, and the environment is compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We ensure that our facilities and production processes comply with safety and environmental regulations and that all our products and services are safe and sustainable.

We also provide training and resources for our employees to ensure that they always have health, safety, and the environment in mind and know how to properly respond in case of an accident or emergency situation.

We also strive to minimize our environmental footprint and use resources efficiently.

11. Fair Competition and Ethical Business Practices

Fair competition and ethical business practices are of the utmost importance to Disporeon GmbH. Our company commits to complying with all laws and regulations related to fair competition and business conduct.

We believe that a fair competitive environment is the foundation for a healthy and successful economy and that every entrepreneur should have an equal opportunity to succeed. Our company will never use unethical means to gain a competitive advantage or harm our competitors.

We are also aware that ethical business practices are crucial for the long-term success of our company. We have developed a code of ethics and business conduct that sets out our commitments to integrity, honesty, and respect towards our customers, suppliers, and competitors.

12. Anti-Corruption

Corruption is a major problem in many companies and industries worldwide. It can have negative impacts on both the economy and society. Especially in companies that work with public funds or in regulated industries, it is important that corruption is effectively combated.

Disporeon GmbH is a company that specializes in optimizing supply chain processes. It works with many large companies, which further increases the need for strong anti-corruption efforts. Effective anti-corruption measures are crucial for Disporeon GmbH to maintain its integrity and credibility and ensure that its business practices are fair and legal.

An important measure for combating corruption at Disporeon GmbH is the establishment of compliance programs. These programs ensure that all employees and business partners are informed about the company's policies and procedures regarding corruption.

Another key tool is conducting thorough due diligence checks on business partners. These checks allow the company to identify and avoid potential corruption risks early on.

Finally, Disporeon GmbH has a strict "zero tolerance" policy towards corruption. Any violations will be promptly investigated and penalized.

13. Gifts and Hospitality

We are aware that our actions can affect the trust of our business partners, customers, and regulatory authorities. Therefore, we commit to avoiding any actions that could give the impression that we are seeking, receiving, or granting favorable treatment in exchange for personal benefits.

As a company, we will not accept or grant any business favors or benefits that could be interpreted as improper incentives. This includes gifts, donations, meals, refreshments, or entertainment from individuals or companies with whom we do or could do business. Our employees are obligated to not use personal means or resources to do something that cannot be done with our resources.

Occasionally, we may accept and offer gifts and hospitality that are in line with usual industry standards and ethical practices. However, these gifts must not be excessively extravagant, not frequent, and must not exhibit a pattern of frequent acceptance. They must also not give the impression that they are intended to influence business decisions. Gifts of minimal value can be accepted, any other gifts should be politely declined or if received by mail, returned to the sender. If a return is not possible, they should be offered to charitable or non-profit organizations.

It is the responsibility of the person offering, providing, receiving, or accepting the gift to decide if the gift is appropriate. We are aware that our behavior can influence the trust of our business partners, customers, and regulatory authorities and will always adhere to the highest ethical standards.

14. Ensuring the Safety and Integrity, as well as Protection and Proper Use of the Company's Assets

As a company, we are aware that the safety, protection and economic use of our resources is crucial to the success of our business. We are aware of our responsibility to manage and protect these resources, including time, materials, equipment and information, and to make them available only for legitimate business use.

However, we also acknowledge that occasional personal use of resources may be allowed in certain circumstances, as long as it is lawful, does not impair job performance and does not affect the work morale. Nevertheless, all employees should take appropriate security measures and handle company property, whether material or intangible, with respect and not misuse or use it carelessly. We have strict rules and guidelines regarding the handling of company resources and any violations of these rules will be dealt with accordingly.

15. Protecting Confidential Information and Intellectual Property through Effective Information Security

As a company, we place great importance on the security and protection of our business information. We implement effective technical measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of this information and our employees are obligated to comply with these rules. This includes all non-public information that could harm the company or our customers and business partners if disclosed to unauthorized parties. Our employees are obligated to keep this information confidential.

We also respect the property rights of others and will not improperly benefit from trade secrets or other protected information. We do not use software or other protected intellectual property without permission and do not distribute or modify it without authorization. We strictly comply with all rules for ensuring information security and protecting intellectual property at all times.

16. Ensuring Financial Integrity through Accurate Bookkeeping and Reporting

As a company, we place a high value on the integrity and accuracy of our financial records. Our books, records, accounts, and financial reports must be detailed and complete and must truthfully and accurately reflect our transactions. We commit to conducting business only with partners involved in lawful business activities and whose funds come from lawful sources and we condemn any form of money laundering.

We are aware of our obligations to properly pay taxes and avoid any tax evasion practices, including not issuing receipts or claiming false expense claims.

All employees are obligated to comply with bookkeeping procedures, ensure that business transactions are properly recorded and documented, and ensure that information in financial reports is complete, honest, accurate, timely, and understandable. No employee may unduly influence, manipulate, or mislead an audit.

17. Consistent Fraud Prevention and Commitment to Unlawful Activities

Fraud is a serious offense that is both unethical and criminal. It encompasses any actions or intentions to deceive, cheat, steal or lie. This includes, for example, submitting false expense reports, falsifying or altering financial documents or certifications, embezzling assets or misusing company property, as well as making false financial or non-financial entries in records or statements. As a company, we are committed to preventing and combating all forms of fraud by monitoring and improving our internal controls and procedures. We encourage our employees and business partners to report any suspicious activities or irregularities immediately.

18. Our commitment to transparent and ethical business practices and avoidance of conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest can occur in any company, especially in industries where decisions are made based on personal relationships, financial interests or other personal benefits. At Disporeon GmbH, we take this challenge very seriously and have taken measures to ensure that all of our business practices are transparent, ethical, and integrity-oriented.

One of our key steps in this regard is to have a clear and comprehensive conflict of interest policy, which obligates our management, senior employees, and all staff to report and avoid any potential conflicts of interest. This includes a commitment to not have any personal financial interests in relation to the company's business decisions that could compete with those of the company or its customers.

19. Protection of Privacy and Our Commitment to Safe Handling of Personal Data

As a company, we respect the privacy of individuals and are aware that the confidentiality and security of personal data are of great importance. We commit to comply with all applicable laws and regulations for protecting personal data and process this data only for lawful business purposes. We only collect and store the necessary personal data and properly inform data subjects about our activities. We implement appropriate security measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of personal data.

Our employees are obliged to comply with legal requirements and conform practices and follow the appropriate procedures to ensure the legality of handling and processing personal data. We also implemented a corresponding data protection policy that sets out our commitments and responsibilities in relation to protecting personal data, and are regularly monitored and revised to ensure that we always comply with the latest standards.