We have firmly embedded compliance - i.e. lawful and rule-compliant business conduct - throughout the company. For us, this also includes aligning our actions with principles such as sustainability and climate protection, fairness and safety, as well as the values of our corporate culture.
As an energy provider and a major employer in the region, we bear a special responsibility for society and the environment. Our business decisions are guided by the goal of benefiting people, protecting the planet and its resources, and creating added value for society as a whole. Therefore, in all business decisions, we not only comply with all applicable laws, but also consistently align our actions with the principles of sustainability and climate protection.
As a company that is predominantly municipally owned, EWE has a special role model function. This also entails particular responsibility in our business relationships - both for our own conduct and that of our business partners. Transparency, integrity, and business fairness form the foundation of our business conduct.
We categorically reject any business transactions that arise from unfair business practices. Our Code of Conduct reflects this responsibility as a partnership-based company.
We protect the physical well-being of our employees and ensure that they work under safe conditions. To this end, we implement national occupational health and safety regulations and supplement them with internal guidelines. This also includes protecting personal data, our know-how, and company property. Transparent working conditions, fair compensation, flexible working hours, occupational health services, sports programs, and childcare - all of these contribute to a healthy and supportive working environment at EWE.
EWE regards the protection of human rights as a key component of its corporate responsibility. In our business practices, we comply with applicable laws and respect internationally recognized human rights standards. In addition, we strive to prevent potential human rights violations by others. We are guided in this by international reference instruments and frameworks.
With our human rights policy statement, we make our efforts transparent to the public.
EWE NETZ GmbH has also clearly affirmed its responsibility for human rights. Read more about the human rights policy statement of EWE NETZ GmbH here:
Since early 2023, the German “Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains“ (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG) has regulated corporate responsibility for upholding human rights in global supply chains. This includes, for example, protection from child labor, the right to fair wages, and environmental protection. EWE reports to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) on the fulfillment of its corporate due diligence obligations to prevent human rights violations in supply chains. Our business partners can access information about us for their LkSG risk analysis via the EcoVadis platform.
To ensure that all laws and internal regulations are followed, EWE relies on the support of its employees and contractual partners. Misconduct must be uncovered to prevent potential harm to the company and to protect employees and third parties. At EWE, all employees are responsible for immediately reporting risks or violations of laws and internal policies. We also explicitly encourage our customers, business partners, and other third parties to report violations, irregularities, and risks.
Contact points for whistleblowers include the Compliance Organization of EWE AG as well as an external ombudsperson. Both fulfill the requirements for internal reporting offices under the Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG). EWE assures that every report made in good faith will be treated confidentially and respectfully. Whistleblowers are protected from possible reprisals.
The whistleblower system also serves as a complaints mechanism under the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). It can therefore also be used to report human rights or environmental risks, as well as violations of human rights-related or environmental obligations resulting from EWE’s own business activities or those of a direct or indirect supplier. The rules of procedure are available for download below.
Group Compliance Office
EWE AG
Keyword: “Hinweis”
Tirpitzstraße 39
26122 Oldenburg
Phone: +49 162 2903669
Fax: +49 441 4805-1099
Email: hinweis@ewe.de
Ombudsperson
Attorney Jörn Beyer
HLP.Heiermann Losch Rechtsanwälte
Marienstraße 9–11
30171 Hannover
Phone: +49 511 262 938-52
Fax: +49 511 262 938-99
Email: joern.beyer@hlp-rae.de
The Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) also provides the option of external reporting. For this purpose, the Federal Government has established the Federal External Reporting Office at the Federal Office of Justice (BfJ). This office is functionally independent and organizationally separate from the rest of the BfJ’s responsibilities. Click the following link to access the reporting channels published by the BfJ, through which whistleblowers can contact the external reporting office of the Federal Government.
Data processing within the whistleblower system is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Information for whistleblowers in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the GDPR can be found here.
