Compliance concerns all of us

Why should I submit a report?

Compliance with legal provisions and company-internal guidelines is not only an essential component of Südzucker's reputation as a trustworthy and reliable partner. It is also the foundation of a positive and open corporate culture.

You might be aware of harmful acts that damage our company. Your report can help protect Südzucker, its employees and/ or business partners from the negative consequences of infringements and inappropriate behaviour. You thus make an important contribution to the continued success of the company.

What types of incidents can be reported?

The ‘Südzucker Compliance Line' was set up for reporting information on compliance-relevant matters. that can range from anticompetitive behaviour to corruption or fraud to violations of the code of conduct. Furthermore, reports can also be submitted concerning violations of human rights or environmental obligations caused by the economic activity of the Südzucker Group or one of its direct suppliers. The various categories for which information can be reported through the ‘Südzucker Compliance Line' will be explained to you if you continue with the reporting.

This system has NOT been set up for customer requests or complaints about products or services. Please use the established contacts for these purposes.

Please also note that the ‘Südzucker Compliance Line' is not an emergency call system. For emergency calls, for example in the event of imminent personal injury or property damage, please contact us immediately and directly.

Can I also report anonymously? How can I then still get feedback?

Yes, you can submit your report anonymously. Protection of the whistleblower is the paramount principle of the ‘Südzucker Compliance Line'. The system's anonymity protection function is guaranteed through encryption and security measures and is certified by an independent body.

Reports that are not made anonymously make it easier for us to investigate. Again, we guarantee strict confidentiality!

Regardless of whether you provide your name or remain anonymous, you can set up a secured postbox. To set up the secured postbox, please select your own ‘pseudonym/ user name' and ‘password'. If you want to remain anonymous, you will never be asked for personal information at any time during the reporting process. In this case, please do not enter any data that can be traced back to you. The information entered into the system cannot be viewed by third parties.

The secured postbox will be used by the compliance officer of Südzucker AG to provide you with feedback regarding the handling of your report or to ask you any further questions should some aspects require clarification. You will remain anonymous during this dialogue as long as you wish to. In order to establish a proper communication channel with you, we depend on your willingness to set up a secured postbox. Please support our investigations by opening your postbox regularly and checking if there are questions/ information from our side.

How do I submit a report? How do I set up a postbox?

To submit an anonymous or personalised report, start by clicking the ‘Submit Report' button located on the top left side of our information page.

The reporting process consists of 4 simple steps:

1. First, you will be asked to read the information on the protection of your anonymity and to answer a security query.
2. On the following page, you will be asked about the category of your report.
3. The reporting website allows you to phrase your report/ question in your own words. After you have submitted your report, you will receive a reference number as proof that you successfully submitted this report.
4. Thereafter, please set up your own secured postbox. This is the only way for you to receive feedback from the compliance officer and, if applicable, information on the progress of the case processing. Establishing the postbox is voluntary.

If you already have a secured postbox, you can access it directly via the ‘Login' button. First, you will have to answer the security query again.

How will my report be processed and what is the timeline for this?

Your report will be received centrally by the Compliance Officer at Südzucker AG. Where necessary to clarify the case, the Compliance Officer will contact the central or relevant local legal or compliance department. In the case of data protection violations, the report will also be sent to the responsible data protection officer at the same time. You will receive confirmation of receipt within seven days of us receiving your report. If they have any queries, the Compliance Officer will contact you via the secured postbox.

Your report will be investigated promptly, and the matter on which the report is based will be clarified without undue delay. However, internal investigations and inquiries based on your report may only be carried out where there is sufficient initial suspicion which is based on specific circumstances and relates to the company. On the other hand, reports relating to potential risks or violations of legal positions protected by the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) (human rights and environmental obligations) must still be pursued even if they go beyond the Südzucker Group’s field of business activity and relate to a direct or indirect supplier.

You will receive feedback from the Compliance Officer at Südzucker AG within three months of receipt of your report. If possible at this point in time, the feedback will also include information on follow-up measures which are planned or have already been taken as well as the reasons for such measures. You will only receive feedback insofar as this does not affect internal further investigations or inquiries and does not impinge on the rights of the individuals who are the subject matter of the report or mentioned in the report.

You can find more details in the process description on the Südzucker AG website.