Human rights, environmental protection and supply chain due diligence

As a leading global high-tech company operating in the field of opto semiconductors the ams OSRAM Group is aware of its responsibility within the global value chain.
We hereby undertake to prevent, mitigate and, where necessary, remedy any negative impacts on human rights and the environment that might arise in the context of our business activities, business relationships, supply chain or through our products. At the same time, we aim to strengthen positive effects.

Corporate guidelines and policies
Wherever we operate, we respect and support the human rights recognized by the international community and protect the environment. Furthermore, we expect the same from our employees, suppliers, and business partners worldwide. This includes complying with the following international standards and frameworks which are also enshrined in our Code of Conduct for Employees, Code of Conduct for Suppliers, Human Rights Policy, as well as in our EHS Policy:

• The Code of Conduct (CoC) for own employees contains the basic principles and rules for the behavior of all ams OSRAM employees. It defines the ethical and legal framework within which we act and deal with each other and with our business partners.
• The Code of Conduct (CoC) for suppliers defines, among other things, the principles and requirements for suppliers of goods and services with regard to their responsibility to respect human rights and protect the environment.
• The Human Rights Policy formalizes our commitment to respect and uphold human rights for people affected by our operations, business relationships, supply chain and products: 

     Human Rights Policy (English)
     Human Rights Policy (German)
     Human Rights Policy (Chinese)
     Human Rights Policy (Malay) / Kebijakan Hak Asasi Manusia     

• Our EHS policy defines how we live up to our responsibility for the environment and the health and safety of our employees.

In accordance with the German Law on Corporate Due Diligence to Prevent Human Rights Violations in Supply Chains (Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz – LkSG), we publish a policy statement on human rights and environmental due diligence for affected Group companies:

• LkSG – Policy Statement of ams-OSRAM International GmbH (Regensburg)
• LkSG – Policy Statement of OSRAM GmbH

Human Rights Officer
The Managing Board of the ams OSRAM Group appointed the Head of Audit, Compliance & Risk Management as Group Human Rights Officer. The Human Rights Officer is responsible for monitoring the fulfillment of all human rights due diligence obligations, including the corresponding risk management system. The Human Rights Manager and local contacts for human rights at the locations support the Human Rights Officer in his work.

Risk management in the context of human rights due diligence obligations
We fulfill our responsibility towards people and the environment with appropriate and effective risk management measures.

Risk analysis, risk assessment and preventive measures
Our responsible specialist departments carry out annual and, if necessary, ad hoc risk analyses in our own business area and in our supply chain.
When analyzing and assessing risks in our own business area and in our supply chain, we rely not only on internal data but also on external data (e.g. country- and industry-specific risk indicators) and also integrate specialized external service providers and software solutions, e.g., standardized online questionnaires for self-assessment of human rights and environmental risks.
Appropriate preventive measures (e.g. instructions, training or necessary additions to supplier contracts) are provided for all risks identified as priorities.

Complaints procedure and reporting channels
We offer employees and third parties (e.g., suppliers and their employees, customers and other potentially affected stakeholder) the opportunity to report all indications of possible human rights or environmental risks or violations that have arisen as a result of ams OSRAMs business activities in its own business area or along our supply chain via various reporting channels at any time and, if desired, anonymously. This enables us to identify negative developments and grievances at an early stage and take effective countermeasures. For this purpose, we provide all persons, including potentially affected parties, worldwide with the public and round-the-clock accessible on-line whistleblower system 'Tell ams OSRAM' via our website. It is also possible to send reports by e-mail or post to the relevant central company offices. Employees can also contact the Human Rights Officer or the relevant manager. Further details can be found in our complaints procedure.

Remedial measures
Every plausible indication of a possible or confirmed human rights violation or environmental offense, both in our own business area and in our supply chain, is immediately followed up and investigated. We use established internal processes to determine how to proceed when an incident is reported or confirmed and which remedial measures are necessary and appropriate to prevent, end or minimize the extent of human rights violations or environmental violations that have already occurred or are imminent.

Review and improvement
Our internal audit department regularly reviews our risk management measures in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. We adapt our risk management approach where necessary and thus continuously develops it further.
Respect for human rights is a important part of ams OSRAM's corporate social responsibility. We are aware that the implementation of human rights due diligence in our own business area as well as in the supply and value chain is an ongoing process. We accept this challenge and regularly review our strategic approaches and measures with the aim of continuous improvement. We report regularly and transparently on implementation and strategic developments as part of our LkSG and sustainability reporting.

Further information on our activities in the areas of human rights, the environment and supply chain due diligence can be found in our sustainability reporting on our website.​