Whistleblowing

The TRATON GROUP Whistleblowing System

Integrity and compliance with laws and regulations as well as the principles laid down in the Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Suppliers and Business Partners are top priorities and cornerstones of our corporate culture. To meet these values and to avoid or minimize potential risks due to regulatory violations, it is crucial that potential regulatory violations by employees or external partners are identified at an early stage, clarified, and stopped, and that disciplinary measures are applied where necessary. To encourage a speak-up culture and to detect potential wrongdoings, the TRATON GROUP operates a global independent, impartial, and confidential whistleblowing system managed in collaboration between the Brands and the TRATON Central Investigation Office. Besides the TRATON Central Investigation Office as central contact point for whistleblowers, some TRATON brands provide an Investigation Office Hub as brand contact point for whistleblowers.

The Group-wide whistleblowing system and procedures for conducting internal investigations are governed by an internal Group Policy.

Our whistleblowing system is based on fundamental principles such as the protection of whistleblowers and persons concerned of or supporting the investigation. We respect whistleblowers’ right to confidentiality, and we uphold the presumption of innocence and fairness of investigations towards any persons concerned. Information received via the whistleblowing system will be reviewed fairly, promptly, and in a sensitive manner and will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.  No actions are taken to identify anonymous whistleblowers. However, any report in bad faith will be treated as serious regulatory violation. 

Dedicated functions of concerned TRATON brands within Governance, Risk & Compliance, Security, Audit, Legal and HR/People and Culture support the investigations. An investigation is only initiated after a careful examination of the facts and reasonable suspicion of a regulatory violation. The TRATON brand departments involved in whistleblowing and internal investigations work closely with colleagues at the TRATON Central Investigation Office, especially regarding potential serious regulatory violations.
 

Our Whistleblowing channels

Our whistleblowing system provides the following channels to report potential violations committed by employees or external partners to enable a fast investigation and appropriate reaction by our Company. However, that does not limit legally protected rights to contact relevant authorities.

How do we process your report?

At our Company, hints regarding potential regulatory violations can be reported by employees, business partners/counter parties, customers, and other third parties through various channels, at any time, and in any language. Hints are then received by the TRATON Central Investigation Office, which ensure that thorough and appropriate investigations are carried out in a confidential and timely manner.

The qualified and experienced colleagues at the TRATON Central Investigation Office examine every report on potential misconduct thoroughly and follow the process according to the applicable Group Policy systematically. First, whistleblowers will get a confirmation of receipt from the TRATON Central Investigation Office, which will then assess your report for potential legal risks. This includes clarifying questions about the reported matter and gathering available facts particularly from the whistleblowers. If this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a serious violation, an investigation by a dedicated investigating unit within the concerned TRATON brand will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be legally assessed by the TRATON Central Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. If the hint points to a less serious regulatory violation, the case may be handed over to a suitable body within the concerned TRATON brand to investigate and assess on their own, but with the chance to receive guidance from the TRATON Central Investigation Office. Whistleblowers or involved employees can always contact the TRATON Central 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 Suppliers and Business Partners by business partners /counter parties, suppliers, and other third parties, including risks and violations regarding human rights and environmental obligations, can also be reported to the TRATON Central Investigation Office or the Brand Investigation Office Hub. The TRATON Central Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the reported matter accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.

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.

Data Protection for Whistleblowers: The TRATON Central Investigation Office collects and processes the personal data you provide for the purpose of assessing and processing your reported hint. Further information on data protection and the rights to which you are entitled can be found here.

Do you have any concern or feedback regarding our products or services?

If you have any questions or inquiries regarding our products or your vehicle, feedback or complaints about services provided by us or our business partners (such as car dealerships or workshops), please contact our customer care centers.

Do you have further questions?

Please contact the TRATON Central Investigation Office in case of any questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the whistleblowing system at any time. 

You can contact us at investigation-office@traton.com.