Integrity and compliant conduct in line with statutory regulations, internal rules as well as the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners are of the highest priority for TRATON. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. To guarantee these values and to avoid or minimize potential risks due to regulatory violations, it is crucial that potential regulatory violations are identified at an early stage, clarified, and stopped, and that disciplinary measures are applied where necessary. That is why the TRATON Investigation Office is charged with operating an independent, impartial, and confidential whistleblower system.
Our whistleblower system provides different channels to report potential violations by employees or business partners to enable a fast investigation and—if necessary—a reaction by our company. However, that does not limit legally protected rights to contact relevant authorities.
Whistleblowers worldwide can use the Speak up! tool, which is available around the clock in twelve languages to report hints on potential violations regarding white-collar crime such as corruption or antitrust law, data protection issues, violations of human rights, or other potentially severe violations. Whistleblowers can register on Speak up! with their true name or a pseudonym of their choice. All hints are treated as confidential. Even if your preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, you can use any language to submit your report. You can also contact the TRATON Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail. Our whistleblowing portal is operated by a third party, who is hosting the portal on external, certified servers (located in Germany) allowing whistleblowers to address hints to us on an anonymous, non-traceable basis.
Speak up! is accessible from every Internet-enabled computer. Click here.Alternatively, regulatory violations can also be reported via the Volkswagen AG whistleblower hotline. The hotline is available around the clock and accepts hints from all brands of the Volkswagen Group — if desired also anonymously. All hints concerning TRATON that are received via the hotline are forwarded to the TRATON Investigation Office directly.
This is how you can reach the whistleblower hotline:
| + 800 444 46300* (international toll-free number) |
| + 49 5361 946300 (chargeable number, if your local telephone provider does not support the toll-free service) |
| Country | Toll-free number | Local telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 0800-5912743 | 021-23911381 |
| Mexico | 001-800-4610242 | 0155-71000355 |
| Slovak Republic | 0800-002576 | 02-33325602 |
| USA | 833-6571574 | 908-2198092 |
| South Africa | 0800-994983 | 021-1003533 |
| Malaysia | 1-800-819523 | 0154-600099 |
| Argentina | 0800-6662992 | 011-52528632 |
| Germany | 0800 444 46300 | 05361-946300 |
All internal and external whistleblowers can also report potential regulatory violations directly and confidentially to colleagues at the TRATON Investigation Office.
TRATON SE
Investigation Office
Hanauer Straße 26
80992 Munich
Germany
E-mail: investigation-office@traton.com
The Volkswagen Group has authorized two external lawyers (ombudspersons) who can assist or ensure that hints are forwarded to the TRATON Investigation Office—per request also anonymously.
Please find information on the Ombudspersons of the Volkswagen Group here.At TRATON, tips regarding potential regulatory violations can be reported by employees, business partners, customers, and other third parties through various channels, at any time, and in any language. All hints are received by the TRATON Investigation Office, which ensures that comprehensive and appropriate investigations are carried out.
The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report on potential misconduct by a TRATON GROUP employee thoroughly and follow the process according to the TRATON Group Policy T 4.5 systematically. First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report for potential legal risks. This includes clarifying questions about the reported matter and gathering available facts particularly from the whistleblower. If this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a serious violation, an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be legally assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. If the tip points to a less serious regulatory violation, the case may be handed over to a suitable body to investigate and assess on their own, but with the chance to receive guidance from the Investigation Office. Whistleblowers or involved employees can always contact the Investigation Office about the status and the outcome of the procedure. The outcome will also be shared as far as legally possible considering the need-to-know-principle. However, the processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure. Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and the environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office—as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
The whistleblower system guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers and persons implicated. An investigation is only initiated after a very careful examination of the facts and a reasonable suspicion of a regulatory violation. There will be strict confidentiality and secrecy throughout the investigative process. Information will be reviewed fairly, promptly, and in a sensitive manner. We ensure that no actions are taken to identify anonymous whistleblowers who are reporting in good faith. The presumption of innocence applies for all persons concerned.
Find more information on the Rules of Procedure for the TRATON GROUP Complaints Procedure here. In addition to this, TRATON GROUP has published a Policy Statement on Human Rights, describing the expectations on the organization and suppliers to protect and respect human rights.
Information on data protection and the rights to which you are entitled can be found here.
In case of additional questions regarding the whistleblower system of TRATON, you can contact us via investigation-office@traton.com
Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System can also be addressed to the Investigation Office.