Code of conduct of Silica Verfahrens­technik GmbH

This SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH Code of Conduct deals with the principles of business conduct and business ethics of our company. With these guidelines we want to implement the highest standards of legal and ethical behaviour and ensure their compliance. The guidelines described here are valid and binding for all employees of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH.

1. Business Ethics and Conduct

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH conducts its business within the framework of the applicable laws and regulations and attaches great importance to openness and honesty in dealing with its business partners. SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH does not pursue illegal business practices – the integrity of our company has the highest priority and must not be questioned by the actions of our employees under any circumstances. No advantages may be granted to customers, suppliers as well as other third parties (e.g. public officials) in the form of payments, gifts or promises, as long as these are not within the scope of customary business hospitality. The employees of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH do not accept payments, gifts or personal favours from our business partners.

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH maintains a professional business relationship with its customers and suppliers which is free of conflicts of interest.

Conflicts of interest that may arise in the course of the activities of our employees must be reported to the management. A conflict of interest occurs, for example, when an employee of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH does business with a company in which a family member or other relative is active in an executive position. 

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH will not pay any contributions to political parties nor support their interests in any form. Any political or religious activities within the premises of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH are generally not permitted. If an employee comments on political or religious topics in public forums, it must not be given the impression that he or she is speaking or acting on behalf of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH.

Employees who are in possession of non-public, company-related information of our business partners may not disclose this information to any other person. If the non-public, company-related information of our business partners allows conclusions to be drawn about the business result, the employees of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH are not allowed to buy or sell shares of the company concerned or to advise other persons on the purchase or sale of such shares (insider trading).

2. Antitrust and Competition Laws

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH supports free and fair competition. The applicable antitrust and competition laws are observed by our employees. Any influence through collusion and other activities that may hinder trade or restrict free competition are to be refrained from. Such activities include, for example, collusion between competitors to fix and control prices, boycotting certain suppliers or customers, dividing up customers or markets, or restricting the distribution of products in order to influence the market price. Employees of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH must take special care to ensure that activities in connection with representatives of other companies cannot be considered or construed as a violation of competition law.

3. Confidentiality and Business Secrets

Confidential information which employees obtain in the course of their work about SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH and its business partners may not be disclosed or used, either directly or indirectly, orally or in writing. Confidential business documents and information include, for example, trade secrets, inventions, internal reports, strategies, sales data, internal price lists and project calculations, sensitive project information, business plans and development projects. This obligation continues for the respective employee even after termination of the employment relationship.

The confidential handling of sensitive information protects the interests of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH.

4. Financial Documents

All financial records of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH are accurate and comply with legal requirements. Financial records are an important part of fulfilling our corporate obligations to our owners, employees, customers, suppliers and regulators. Illegal practices, such as manipulation violate applicable laws and will be punished accordingly.

5. Employee Relations and equal Opportunities

The success of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH essentially depends on open and trusting communication at all levels of the company. We expect our employees to be courteous and respectful in personal conversations, telephone calls, written correspondence and e-mail correspondence.

The employees of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH are committed, without exception, to open, friendly and fair dealings with colleagues and business partners, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. Employees who feel unfairly treated, disadvantaged or excluded by others can contact the management in confidence.

6. Safety at the Workplace

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH is guided by the declaration of the World Health Organization (WHO), which defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not as the mere absence of disease or infirmity.

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment and to complying with occupational health and safety laws.

Our employees are the most important asset in the company. Therefore, SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH understands the health of its employees as a social responsibility. The central task is to improve the well-being at the workplace as well as to eliminate hazards at the workplace.

7. Use of the Company’s Resources

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH provides its employees with working materials and equipment that they need to carry out their work. Thus, our employees have company resources, such as working time, raw materials, purchased materials, office and workshop equipment, real estate, vehicles, tools and software. The use of company resources is exclusively for business purposes. Private use of company resources must be approved in advance by management. In general, all company resources must be protected. Employees are responsible for the sustainable and efficient use of our company’s resources.

8. Environmental Protection

SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH is committed to the sustainable protection of our environment. Thus, our plants for exhaust air purification and solvent recovery make an important contribution to environmental protection on a daily basis. In addition, great importance is attached to the sustainable use of resources and efficient energy utilisation as early as the process design stage. During the design and manufacturing process of our process plants, our employees ensure that resources, such as energy, auxiliary materials, paper or other raw materials, are not wasted unnecessarily.

9. Implementation of the Code of Conduct

We expect our employees to comply with the provisions of this Code of Conduct. Should questions arise in connection with the Code of Conduct, they can be brought to the attention of the management at any time.  In the event of a violation of the provisions of the Code of Conduct, the management of SILICA Verfahrenstechnik GmbH reserves the right to take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of our company and our employees.

Berlin, 20.02.2014