Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Dear customers, dear business partners,

With this Code of Conduct, we would like to highlight our corporate values, which guide our actions and our global business.

We believe in acting responsibly and making our contribution to a sustainable economy. We want to emphasise our integrity and our awareness of social and environmental responsibility and our actions accordingly.

This Code of Conduct is intended to give you an overview of our values and standards, which we implement in our day-to-day work. It serves as a guideline for our professional, ethical and responsible behaviour.

We take responsibility for the people who work with and for us. For this reason, we are committed to human and environmental rights in order to create value in our business dealings.

The following Code of Conduct applies equally to managing directors and employees of companies affiliated with PICO International GmbH ("PICO").

1. Safeguarding human rights

We take responsibility; people are at the centre of our actions. We uphold the globally applicable regulations for the protection of human rights as important and fundamental, universally applicable guidelines. This naturally includes the prohibition of child and forced labour.

1. Integrity and respect

We treat all contact persons with respect and fairness.

Any form of harassment, bullying or sexual, physical or psychological abuse of other people is unacceptable.

1. Equal opportunities - against discrimination

We want the personal rights of everyone to be respected at all times. We are open and tolerant towards other opinions and attitudes. We are firmly opposed to any form of discrimination, whether based on ethnic origin, age, ideology, religious affiliation, gender or other personal characteristics. Every individual should feel that they belong and are accepted.

1. Compliance with applicable law, occupational health and safety

Compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany and the countries in which we operate is a matter of course for us. With regard to customers, competitors, suppliers and business contacts, we do not enter into any transactions or agreements that are not lawful.

We support open markets and competition without undue influence and respect antitrust law. We do not enter into agreements or exchange information with competitors about market shares, prices, strategies, tenders or similar sensitive data. All employees must comply with antitrust regulations.

For international activities, we observe the various statutory regulations on foreign trade and customs law as well as the relevant tax regulations and reporting obligations.

We comply with the applicable laws regarding pay, working hours and other health and safety laws and to protect the health of our employees.

1. Anti-corruption

PICO rejects any form of corruption. We neither accept nor respond positively to any offer of unauthorised benefits. We only accept benefits from PICO and its employees within a legally permissible framework. We avoid even the appearance of undue influence through benefits.

1. Use of resources, responsibility in the supply chain

We are committed to preventing our companies from being misused as an instrument for money laundering or terrorist financing. We comply with the relevant laws to combat money laundering.

1. Use of resources, responsibility in the supply chain

We recognise that our decisions can have an impact on the environment and the well-being of people. We take care to minimise negative impacts on the climate and the environment as far as possible.

Within our business activities, we work with suppliers, for example for our raw materials, packaging materials and products from suppliers. We document the minimum standards for cooperation with suppliers at in our Code of Conduct for Suppliers.

1. Confidentiality, data protection and data security

We treat trade and business secrets of both PICO and our business partners, which we obtain in the course of our business activities, as confidential.

We protect the personal data and trade secrets of our business partners and our employees. Internal confidential information or that of our business partners and suppliers should not be made public or fall into the hands of third parties.

1. Responsibility

All managers and employees are responsible for complying with our Code of Conduct. The managing directors are the first point of contact for any queries. Communication, an open approach and mutual support are the foundations that we want to create for a trusting and good working relationship.