This Code of Conduct and all regulations derived from it represent binding provisions for the management and all executives and employees of the entire Schinko GmbH and also apply to all persons who work for SCHINKO in any form. Irrespective of this, this set of rules primarily reflects the special responsibility of the company management, which in turn is required to actively embody and communicate the values of this Code of Conduct.
Any failure to comply with the provisions of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action and possible further legal action. Instructions that clearly contradict this Code are not binding and cannot justify an act or omission that constitutes a breach of this Code of Conduct. Our employees are encouraged to report violations of this Code of Conduct to the management. In all of this, it is SCHINKO’s declared goal to have zero violations of this Code of Conduct.
This Code of Conduct is subject to amendments and additions where necessary.
Compliance in the supply chain
For us, the content and values of this Code of Conduct do not end at the company’s borders. It is therefore of central importance to us that our business partners recognise and comply with the basic principles of this Code of Conduct. Accordingly, we expect our suppliers to support the content of our Code of Conduct.
Data protection
We at Schinko are unreservedly committed to the principles of data protection and accordingly ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory provisions. Personal data is therefore only collected, processed and transmitted if a corresponding legal basis exists. Our technical and organisational measures are strictly aligned with the principles of applicable data protection law.
Fraud prevention
Any act of deception towards business partners contradicts our principle of ethically correct and legally compliant behaviour and will therefore not be tolerated under any circumstances. All Schinko employees are sensitised to the particular risks of fraudulent business practices and are also encouraged to report possible cases of fraud.
All reported or otherwise known cases of fraud will be investigated at Schinko and will result in disciplinary action against all parties involved without exception. In the event of official investigations or other measures, Schinko applies the principle of unconditional co-operation with the authorities.
Appreciation, integrity and fair working conditions
People always come first at Schinko; we are therefore fully committed to internationally recognised human rights and do not accept any kind of disregard for them. In the spirit of diversity, condescending, harassing or discriminatory behaviour based on gender or sexual orientation will not be tolerated at Schinko under any circumstances. We are also opposed to any form of discrimination in connection with origin and nationality, faith, ideology, political views and disability.
We are committed to freedom of association and assembly, the right to collective bargaining, the abolition of all forms of forced and child labour (1) and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Under all circumstances, we adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and all national and international binding regulations related to it.
Furthermore, we expressly oppose any form of harassing or patronising behaviour based on gender or sexual orientation.
All of our employees are entitled to remuneration that is sufficient to meet their basic needs and to secure an appropriate income. Wages are always calculated and paid by Schinko in accordance with all legal requirements.
Each of our employees is entitled to remuneration that is sufficient to meet their basic needs and to secure an appropriate income. Wages are always measured and paid by Schinko in accordance with all legal requirements.
We provide our employees with a safe and healthy working environment in order to prevent all accidents and illnesses that could be caused by and in connection with the professional activity or the operation of facilities at the workplace. All relevant statutory provisions on workplace and occupational safety and environmental protection are fully complied with. Our employees are required to strictly comply with all safety regulations and to report and rectify any deficiencies immediately. Supervisors have a special responsibility in this regard. In addition, the safety regulations are subject to ongoing compliance and effectiveness checks. Under no circumstances will we accept any cases of disregard for any of these principles that are fundamental to Schinko.
1 In accordance with the ILO Convention on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973), a child is defined as any person under the age of fifteen, unless the law of a State provides for a higher age for work or compulsory education, in which case the higher age would apply. If the minimum age for employment is set at fourteen in accordance with the exceptions for developing countries in a state, the lower age applies.
Competition and antitrust law
Schinko has always been characterised by quality, innovation and customer focus – strengths that can only be fully exploited in a fair and regulated competitive environment.
Accordingly, we have anchored our business activities in fair and transparent market behaviour and do not tolerate any violations of national or international competition or antitrust law.
Any behaviour that leads or may lead to an agreement on prices or business conditions, market or territory allocation, the allocation of customers or the coordination of supply, development or production strategies is prohibited at Schinko.
Furthermore, we reject any behaviour that uses unfair means or measures and serves to mislead customers or disparage a competitor.
Money laundering prevention
Money laundering practices are a global phenomenon. Schinko unconditionally rejects such practices and scrutinises all business transactions against the background of possible money laundering risks. This ranges from checking business partners to monitoring conspicuous payment methods. Money laundering and associated business practices are not tolerated at Schinko. It goes without saying that we comply with all relevant national and international regulations and cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.
Compliance with the law
Being aware of the possible negative consequences, it is a matter of course for Schinko – and thus part of our corporate philosophy – to act in accordance with all applicable legal provisions. We will therefore not tolerate any violation of the law under any circumstances.
If a violation of the law is suspected, Schinko will co-operate unconditionally with state authorities.
All our employees are obliged to inform themselves about applicable legal provisions and to comply with them. We also encourage our employees to report possible breaches of the law.
Corruption and bribery
There is no doubt that any acceptance or offer of direct or indirect pecuniary benefits poses a threat to impartial decision-making and therefore also to free competition. For good reasons, corruption and bribery are therefore unlawful and punishable by law.
At Schinko, we take a clear stance against corruption and bribery and take all necessary measures to counter such unethical, morally reprehensible and risky behaviour.
In accordance with the relevant legal regulations, all Schinko employees are prohibited from accepting, demanding, offering or granting monetary benefits that are in any way likely to influence business decisions. Exceptions with regard to promotional gifts, gifts of low value (<= 50 euros in value) or other customary business favours are always subject to internal review and approval.
The offering or acceptance of money or benefits of direct monetary value by Schinko employees is prohibited in all cases.
Conflicts of interest
Any conflict between the private interests of our employees and the business interests of Schinko poses a potential threat to our future success. Such conflicts of interest should therefore be avoided as far as possible.
Sideline activities of our employees therefore require the approval of Schinko without exception. Activities that compete with Schinko’s business activities will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Our employees are prohibited from linking decisions to the receipt of personal economic benefits. Our employees may only use Schinko resources for private purposes to the extent that this is permitted by internal regulations or individual agreements – any use beyond this is prohibited.
Product safety, sustainability and environmental responsibility
Only the highest quality and safety standards apply to our products. Accordingly, we constantly monitor the performance and quality of our products and see it as a matter of course to work with our customers in the area of risk prevention.
As an innovative premium manufacturer, we are aware of the challenges of climate change and attach great importance to the responsible and efficient use of energy and environmental protection. Profitability, energy efficiency and sustainability are therefore an integral part of our business activities. Preserving our natural environment, using resources sparingly and safeguarding the livelihoods of future generations are fundamental maxims that we implement uncompromisingly from the development and production to the transport of our products.
Our medium-term goal is to operate in a climate-neutral manner and to manufacture our products in a CO2-neutral way.
Environmental protection is therefore firmly anchored in our corporate philosophy, is respected by our employees and is ensured through continuous internal audits and our process optimisation system. In this way, we want to meet the needs of today without sacrificing the needs of future generations.
Foreign trade and export control
As an internationally active company, we are aware of both the framework conditions and the risks of cross-border trade. Compliance with all relevant national and international regulations is therefore a matter of course for us, and we adhere to all trade and export control regulations, including all applicable sanctions and embargoes, in all business processes – from receipt of the customer enquiry to delivery of our products.
Responsible marketing
Schinko’s products speak for themselves. Therefore, the principle of ethically correct and legally compliant behaviour naturally also applies to Schinko’s marketing activities. Marketing at Schinko therefore complies with the relevant regulatory provisions. In particular, Schinko is opposed to any form of aggressive or deceptive marketing, because only responsible and honest marketing can do justice to our products.
Secrecy and confidentiality
Expertise is the engine of our innovative strength and therefore one of our most important assets. Schinko therefore attaches great importance to the protection of business and trade secrets and all types of confidential information. In view of the fundamental importance of such information, we at Schinko are committed to handling it responsibly and confidentially – regardless of whether it is our own data or the sensitive data of our business partners.
Tax compliance
International business activities require a comprehensive understanding of tax issues. Accordingly, we pursue the highest standards in tax law and reject any form of tax evasion or fraud without exception.
Schinko regards compliance with tax regulations and full cooperation with the relevant tax and financial authorities as part of proper market behaviour.
Reporting centre
This reporting centre has been set up to ensure permanent and, in particular, sustainable compliance with the basic principles of this Code of Conduct. It can be reached either at compliance@schinko.at or via the reporting form on www.compliance.schinko.at and is the central address for all enquiries and reports in connection with violations of our Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct.
Reports via compliance@schinko.at are made via an e-mail account to the central Schinko reporting centre. The report via www.compliance.schinko.at is fully anonymised. Once completed, it can be sent without providing a name or sender. The report is sent to Schinko’s central reporting centre.
Schinko’s central reporting centre will process all reports promptly. The 6-eyes principle applies in the central reporting centre. All incoming reports are jointly assessed and evaluated by 3 people and appropriate measures are taken promptly in consultation with the management.
The central reporting office reports monthly to the Schinko management on the number, type and content of reports and the measures taken. The central reporting office provides prompt feedback on the measures taken to the reporting person. Corresponding feedback to the reporting persons is only possible if the report is not made anonymously.
At Schinko, we see reporting non-compliance with the rules of our Code of Conduct to the central reporting office as the responsibility of every employee and as a concession to honesty and correctness towards the company.
