Responsibility

Our Code of Conduct serves as the basis for responsible thinking and action

Our Code of Conduct is an important pillar of our CR understanding and our engagement in this area. It applies to all employees – from trainees to executives.

As part of our Code of Conduct, each individual bears responsibility for acting with honesty, with integrity, and in line with our corporate values and identity.

The Code of Conduct addresses three main topics, which are also reflected in our understanding of CR:

• Our responsibility as a member of society

• Our responsibility as a business partner

• Our responsibility in the workplace

Respect for human rights is of utmost importance to
us as part of the Volkswagen Group.

We firmly believe that sustainable business can only be achieved through ethical behavior and integrity. Therefore, we unequivocally acknowledge and commit to our corporate responsibility to respect human rights and associated environmental standards. As part of the VW Group, we are involved in the implementation of the Group's due diligence processes as required by the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, such as risk analysis in our own business area.

This responsibility is enshrined in the Social Charter, signed by the Group Management Board and the European and Global Group Works Council. This document forms the binding basis for social and industrial relationships within the Volkswagen Group and serves as a guideline for shaping relationships with suppliers and other business partners.

We reaffirm our commitment to key international agreements and declarations, particularly the International Bill of Human Rights and the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Furthermore, our business activities align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the UN Global Compact, which are crucial pillars for our actions.

The Whistleblower System

We actively investigate reports of potential human rights and environmental risks and violations in our own business operations or perpetrated by direct and indirect suppliers or other business partners.

Reports can be submitted at any time to the Central Investigation Office of Volkswagen AG. This also applies to any other hints or reports of other suspected instances of abuse or malpractice that require immediate action by the company. The Investigation Office informs the relevant departments, which then process the matter accordingly. This includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks if the initial suspicion is confirmed.

Further information on the procedural principles of the Volkswagen Group's complaints mechanism can be found here.