Sustainability Policy

Preamble

The sustainability guideline is the basis for the requirements of the Kesseböhmer Group, hereinafter referred to as Kesseböhmer, with regard to economic, ecological and social responsibility. The aim of this guideline is to create a common responsible and sustainable basis with our customers, employees and suppliers to optimize productivity and cooperation in business operations.

1. Occupational Health and Safety

As an employer, Kesseböhmer attaches great importance to a high standard of ergonomics and safety in the workplace. This is guaranteed by the integrated work and health management and fire protection in our plants.

2. Data and Identity Protection

The protection of data and the careful handling of confidential information about our customers, employees and suppliers in order to protect their identity and privacy are of great importance for our company. This preserves the dignity of employees and creates a positive work environment.

3. Environmental Protection and Energy Management

Kesseböhmer tries to keep the impact on the environment as low as possible by managing natural resources carefully and sparingly so that residual materials and waste are minimized. We strive to replace waste with construction materials in the interests of a sustainable circular economy. The company attaches great importance to high air and water quality and tries to reduce or at best avoid greenhouse gas emissions and waste water by using the best possible technology and improving production concepts. We have taken measures to ensure that all chemicals we use are handled, stored and disposed of properly.

The company complies with all existing environmental laws and regulations and expects all employees and business partners to do the same. Kesseböhmer has been certified to ISO 14001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 for many years. We avoid excessive deforestation or land use as frame our business activities to ensure that we do not have a negative impact on biodiversity and natural habitats. Kesseböhmer confirms that we do not engage in forced evictions or deprive communities of land, forests or water sources in the frame of our business activities when appropriating or developing land, forests or water. We minimize the impact of our business activities on soil quality, for example by ensuring that no chemicals are released into the soil during our business activities. To reduce our carbon footprint, we use renewable energy wherever possible.

4. Ethical Principles

The ethnic principles of our family business are based on loyalty, respect for fellow human beings, transparency and fair competition without corruption and exploitation. The company also rejects discrimination in any form with regard to race, origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or age.

We promote a diverse and equitable work culture in which employees of all backgrounds are recognized and valued, and encourage diversity at all levels of our organization.

We respect the right of indigenous peoples to adequate living conditions, education, employment and social activities, as well as the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to developments that affect them on the land on which they live.

5. freedom of association

Employees must be able to communicate openly and with respect and mutual trust within the company and with management regarding working conditions without fear of disadvantages. Bribes of any kind to achieve personal goals are prohibited. All employees have the right to join an employee organization, to appoint a representative and to be elected as such.

6. Working Hours, Employee Benefits and Remuneration

Remuneration, social benefits, working hours and vacation periods must comply with the legal requirements regarding minimum wages, overtime and prescribed social benefits. If there is no national law in this regard, the labor and social standards of the ILO apply.

7. Prohibition of Child Labour

Kesseböhmer condemns child labor and complies with the laws and regulations regarding the minimum age for admission to employment and work. All customers and suppliers are requested to comply with these regulations as well.

8. Continuous Improvement

Innovation and improvements are important. The company is therefore committed to continuous improvement in environmental protection, energy efficiency, occupational health and safety, productivity and social responsibility. In doing so, our company seeks and encourages innovative ideas from employees through an improvement system.

9. Private or military security forces

We confirm that we do not use private or public military security forces in our business activities. Should we nevertheless need to use such security forces, we ensure that they are trained in respecting human rights.

10. free choice of workplace

The free choice of employment must be respected. Any kind of forced labor or human trafficking must not be tolerated. All work must be performed voluntarily and employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time.

11. export controls and economic sanctions

The company operates in compliance with the criteria for export controls and in compliance with existing economic sanctions in order to ensure secure trade. The company rejects trade outside of these regulations.

We confirm that we comply with all relevant restrictions or sanctions on the export of goods or services and all applicable restrictions on trade with specific countries, regions, companies, entities or individuals.

12. awareness and transparency

Kesseböhmer takes care to ensure that every employee is informed clearly and comprehensibly about their tasks, rights and duties and about important news and events in the company. In order to avoid conflicts of interest, Kesseböhmer offers suppliers unambiguous and comprehensible contracts.

13 Implementation and responsibility

Supervisors and management positions play a decisive role model function in the implementation of the sustainability policy. However, every employee is also responsible for complying with and successfully implementing these guidelines.

Oliver Kesseböhmer

Acting Partner
Kesseböhmer Group