groninger procurement guideline
Our values and goals
As a family business with local roots and a globally active hidden champion, we are more than aware of the responsibility we have towards our society and our fellow human beings. We see ourselves as a partner to our employees, customers and suppliers. Fairness, respect, trust and closeness - these are our values in interpersonal interaction.
It is also our joint goal to use materials and resources responsibly. We do not strive for short-term success, we rather want to realize a long-term vision. Therefore, sustainability, prudence and a sense of duty characterize our thoughts and actions--regionally, nationally and internationally.
We allow ourselves to be guided by this conviction in every strategic decision.
Consequently, compliance with all laws, standards and rules that apply to us is a matter of course for us. We expect the same from our employees, suppliers and all other people and companies with whom we work. Resources are always used sparingly and responsibly. This approach is reflected in our system concepts as well as in the entire value chain at the company.
The thoughts and actions of the management and all employees shall be based on these values and goals of the company. Fairness in competition is a matter of course for us and requires us to always treat our business partners with respect.
groninger procurement policy
Our Procurement Policy describes our expectations of our business partners along the supply chain. It is the responsibility of business partners to implement appropriate processes that ensure compliance with these regulations, as well as to promote them within their own supply chain.
Human and labor rights
Our business partners support and respect internationally recognized human and labor rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration of the United Nations (UN) and the core convention of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and base their actions on them. You equally expect your business partners to comply with these principles.
Forced labor
Our business partners support the abolition of all forms of forced labor and commit not to use forced labor or otherwise benefit from forced labor.
Child labor
Our business partners undertake to comply with the minimum age stipulated in the ILO convention and to prohibit and refrain from any form of child labor in their company; furthermore, they are firmly committed to the elimination of child labor.
Occupational safety and health protection
Processes, operating sites and resources must comply with the applicable legal and internal requirements for occupational safety, as well as health, fire and environmental protection.
Fair working conditions
Our business partners undertake to organize the working hours and remuneration of their employees in accordance with the applicable national laws and regulations.
Discrimination
Our business partners do not tolerate any physical, psychological or verbal discrimination or harassment in the work environment. No employee shall be discriminated against in employment or performance of employment because of gender, age, color, culture, ethnic origin, sexual identity, disability, religious affiliation or ideology.
Environmental protection and sustainability
Our business partners undertake to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. The impact on the environment is to be kept as low as possible. Awareness of the need to protect our environment shall be raised among employees and business partners. Through the sustainable use of resources, we make a considerable contribution to environmental protection. In doing so, we consider the key areas of material efficiency, waste, water, biodiversity, emissions and energy efficiency.
Material compliance and conflict minerals
Applicable legal requirements relating to "conflict minerals" under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and REGULATION (EU) 2017/ 821 shall be complied with. Verifiable efforts shall be made to avoid the use of raw materials that directly or indirectly finance armed groups and thus promote human rights violations.
As a business partner, you are obliged to supply us only with products that meet the requirements of the European Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 ("REACH Regulation"). If an article is supplied to us that uses as a production input an article containing substances in concentrations of 0.1% or more by weight that are on the candidate list pursuant to Article 59 (1, 10) of the REACH Regulation, the necessary information must be passed on to us (Article 33 of the REACH Regulation). You are obliged to supply only products that meet the requirements of EU Directive 2011/65/EU. Manufacturers of electrical or electronic equipment must also ensure that their component suppliers are aware of and comply with the prohibitions on the use of substances.
Product safety
The products supplied by our business partners comply with the statutory and official safety requirements. If there are product-specific peculiarities that require notification, we are actively informed of these.
Combating corruption and bribery
Our business partners undertake to refrain from any form of corruption, bribery or other granting of advantages. It must be ensured that the UN and OECD conventions on combating corruption and the relevant anti-corruption laws are observed.
Invitations and gifts
Gifts, business meals and events for informational, representational or entertainment purposes may never be used to obtain unfair business advantages and may never be given to an extent or in a manner that is likely to cause any doubts in terms of professional independence and judgement of those involved.
Personal conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest with private interests or other economic or other activities must be avoided from the onset. Personal interests must not influence business judgement or decision-making.
Prevention of money laundering
Our business partners ensure compliance with the legal provisions and requirements of the regulatory authorities for the prevention of money laundering and the financing of international terrorism.
Protection of competition
Our business partners are committed to fair competition and compliance with the relevant competition law and related regulations.
Protection of personal data and confidential information
Our business partners shall observe the regulations on the protection of personal data and confidential information. Personal data and confidential information shall be protected in a suitable manner against the insight of third parties and against unauthorized disclosure to third parties or to unauthorized employees.
Personal data may only be collected, processed or used insofar as this is necessary for defined, clear and legitimate purposes. The use of data must be transparent for those affected. Their rights to information and correction, as well as to objection, blocking and deletion, if applicable, shall be observed.
In the technical protection against unauthorized access to data and information, an appropriate standard corresponding to the state of the art shall be observed.
Foreign trade, export and customs regulations
Our business partners undertake to comply with foreign trade requirements as well as export control and customs regulations. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that transactions with third parties do not violate applicable economic embargoes or regulations on trade, import and export control or on combating the financing of terrorism.
Expectations
We can only achieve the above-mentioned goals if all parties involved work together to achieve them. Therefore, this procurement guideline formulates binding requirements for all business partners.
We want to create trust by conducting business honestly and in accordance with the rules, which is why all our business partners are required to behave honestly, fairly and lawfully in their working environment. Our business partners are responsible for their own conduct and for the conduct of their employees, as well as for proper compliance with all procedures provided therein to avoid reputational and legal risks.
Groninger thanks you for your dedicated commitment to sustainable cooperation and support in achieving our goals.
Reporting of misconduct
If a business partner has information about potential misconduct against the groninger Procurement Policy, the supplier must take appropriate measures to remedy the situation.
Business partners are required to inform the groninger CSR team of potential misconduct so that such incidents can be investigated and appropriate action taken.
The following contact is available for a report: csr[at]groninger.de
28. March 2023
signed Jens Groninger (CEO) and Volker Groninger (CEO)
