The BMW Group recognises its responsibility as a company to respect human rights and environment-related standards. This applies not only to our own business activities, but also to our global supply chains. We help ensure these fundamental rights are observed through clear responsibilities and a wide range of different measures.
RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENT-RELATED STANDARDS AT THE BMW GROUP.
Respect for human rights is not a one-time thing. We have to work at it all the time.
Chief Compliance Officer and Human Rights Officer, BMW AG
HOW WE ENSURE RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENT-RELATED STANDARDS.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
Respect human rights.
We have established appropriate due diligence processes to ensure compliance with social and environmental standards – both within our own company and in our relationships with suppliers and other business partners. We are guided by internationally recognised standards, including the International Bill of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. The associated demands on our company, our supply chain and our other business partners are anchored at the BMW Group through internal guidelines.
BMW Group Code on Human Rights and Working Conditions.
BMW Group Code on Human Rights and Working Conditions.
The Code outlines how we promote human rights and fair working conditions and implement the Core Labour Standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The central themes of the Code are: no child or forced labour, equal treatment of all employees, the right to health and safety at work or freedom of association. The code, which is actively communicated, provides guidance for BMW Group employees, suppliers and authorised sales partners.
Joint Declaration on Human Rights and Working Conditions.
Joint Declaration on Human Rights and Working Conditions.
Since 2005, our Joint Declaration on Human Rights and Working Conditions has been our benchmark for value-oriented corporate governance. This commitment was developed with the participation of our employee representatives and the union in line with globally recognised guidelines for environmental and social standards – such as the basic principles of the UN Global Compact.
BMW Group Code of Conduct.
BMW Group Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct provides a central set of rules, outlining what the BMW Group expects from its employees. It establishes guidelines for responsible and lawful conduct across the company, covering topics that include corruption prevention, the principle of non-discrimination, mutual appreciation and fair relationships with business partners, as well as environmental protection.
BMW Group Supplier Code of Conduct.
BMW Group Supplier Code of Conduct.
Our Supplier Code of Conduct summarises the BMW Group’s requirements and expectations for the global supplier network, in accordance with internationally recognised sustainability standards and guidelines. We expect our business partners to comply with all legal requirements, protect the environment and respect human rights. The Supplier Code of Conduct is enshrined by contract as an integral part of the company's purchasing terms and conditions.
Policy Statement on Respect for Human Rights.
Policy Statement on Respect for Human Rights.
The policy statement specifies our commitment to respect human rights and environment-related standards and explains our processes for implementing the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). It describes our due diligence approach in our own business area and in our global upstream and downstream supply chains. The policy statement was developed in consultation with relevant BMW Group departments and the BMW Group Central Works Council, as well as with external experts and stakeholders, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and relevant initiatives.
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Leveraging our impact together.
To fulfil our responsibility as a company, we rely on cooperation – with our employees, our business partners and our suppliers – because the only way to address the risks in our supply chain effectively is by working together. That is why our approach to compliance with human rights and environment-related standards applies to:
PREVENTIVE, CONTROL AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.
We implement risk-based, ad-hoc measures to prevent, monitor and address human rights and environmental risks. We rely on a catalogue of measures, with a combination of training, contractual agreements with suppliers and business partners, certification and audits using questionnaires or assessments.
- Training
- Contractual assurance
- Questionnaires and assessments
- Certifications
Training.
Training is an important factor in raising awareness of social and environmental standards. We explain causalities and clarify our expectations. In addition to regular content-focused trainings for employees on human rights compliance, the BMW Group also offers training opportunities for in-house buyers, internal process partners and external suppliers. Through the Drive Sustainability and Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) initiatives, we also provide suppliers with opportunities for industry-wide standardised training.
Contractual assurance.
Respect for human rights and corresponding environmental standards is the foundation of any business relationship with the BMW Group. For both, our dealers and suppliers, we rely on contractual assurances of human rights and environmental minimum standards. When our suppliers sign a contract they undertake to implement necessary preventive or remedial measures by an agreed target date and to also require and track compliance among their own suppliers. Suppliers of goods and services for production, in particular, must fulfil these requirements no later than the start of production.
Questionnaires and assessments.
The BMW Group uses risk-based questionnaires to verify compliance with defined due diligence obligations at its suppliers and other contractual partners. We also carry out risk-based assessments on-site.
Certifications.
We rely on reviews and certification performed by external service providers to monitor compliance with our specifications and also contract independent third parties to conduct audits at our own locations, as well as for suppliers. Regular certifications for our own business area range from environmental management to occupational health and safety management. Wherever possible, we also use of external certifications for raw materials procurement and are actively involved in developing certification standards for critical stages in the value chain – for example, through the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).
VERIFYING EFFECTIVENESS.
Our due diligence processes are designed to identify human rights and environmental risks, as well as adverse impacts, with a focus on effectively preventing, halting or minimising such risks. Assessing the effectiveness of our due diligence processes and measures at regular intervals is crucial to maximising our efficiency – because a measure can only be deemed effective if it actually improves, or helps improve, environmental protection or the situation of rights-holders.
Our effectiveness analysis not only evaluates whether implemented risk management processes remain compliant with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, but also whether they are seamlessly integrated and successfully executed. It provides information on whether the measures are achieving the intended risk reduction or remedial effect. We are able to continuously refine our processes based on this information.
COMPLAINTS MECHANISM.
Various complaints mechanisms give internal and external persons the opportunity to report possible infringements of human rights and corresponding environmental standards. This allows risks to be identified and addressed in the early stages and, if necessary, appropriate remedial action can be taken. The confidentiality and protection of informants are top priority. If preferred, concerns can also be reported anonymously. It is company policy that no attempt will be made to determine the identity of a reporting person who chooses to make a report anonymously. In addition to reaching out to managers, local compliance departments and employee representatives, BMW Group employees and external informants also have access to various complaints channels that have been specifically set up for this purpose in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Act. Since 2020, the BMW Group has been actively involved in a working group of the Automotive Industry Dialogue that is focused on developing and operating a cross-company complaints mechanism in Mexico, in addition to its own options for submitting complaints.
Our complaints channels.
BMW Group employees and external informants can report possible infringements of human rights and corresponding environmental standards within the company anonymously and confidentially via the BMW Group SpeakUP Line. The same applies to risks and vulnerabilities that could lead to human rights violations. The BMW Group SpeakUP Line can be reached 24 hours a day via local numbers (free of charge or at local rates) in almost 140 countries in a total of more than 70 languages.
Our Human Rights Contact Supply Chain handles reports of possible infringements of BMW Group sustainability policies in the supplier network. Information can also be provided anonymously.
Telephone: +49 89 382-71230
E-Mail: humanrights.sscm@bmwgroup.com
The BMW Group has appointed an ombudsperson to advise on the system for reporting compliance concerns and ensure that reports from informants are forwarded to BMW Group Compliance. If preferred, this information can also be provided anonymously.
Our ombudsperson can be contacted as follows:
Dr Sibylle von Coelln
Telephone: +49 211 44 03 57 72
Fax: +49 211 44 03 57 77
E-Mail: BMW-Ombudsperson@hvc-strafrecht.de
Postal address:
HEUKING VON COELLN
Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB
Prinz-Georg-Str. 104
40479 Düsseldorf
Data privacy.
You provide your personal data voluntarily. You have the option to submit your report anonymously. If you voluntarily decide to provide your personal data and thus provide a non-anonymous report, we will process your information solely for the purpose of processing your report on the basis of Article 6 (1) LIT. C), F) of the GDPR. Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here.
REPORTING.
We aim to be transparent about how we fulfil our due diligence requirements. We do so by addressing challenges and sharing experiences and best practices for dealing with human rights and environmental risks and impacts. Our aim is for our reporting to also contribute to the public debate around sustainable development.
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