Management approach – our why

Our materiality analysis has identified corruption/bribery as a potential negative impact that could occur in our own business operations. This is why EVVA has assessed this governance topic as material and is increasingly planning preventive measures such as new compliance training courses.
 

Prevention and detection of corruption/bribery
(ESRS G1-3)

Reliability, trust and security are at the core of our business model - and thus of course legally compliant action.

• The policies and Code of Conduct mentioned under Responsible Corporate Governance are key pillars of EVVA’s prevention work to prevent corruption and bribery. Employees at all locations are advised to contact their manager, confidential advisers or compliance officers immediately in the event of questions, conflicts of interest or detected violations. Corresponding information is collected in EVVA’s Legal Compliance department and discussed with management. “Legal Compliance” also regularly (every 2 months) moderates an internal Compliance Jour Fixe with representatives from various EVVA units
   
• Employees in Austria and Germany can report irregularities online and anonymously at any time via the whistleblower tool “EVVA Compliance Line” and view the case processing. Each report is subject to the principles of confidentiality, objectivity and transparency, on the compliance of which all parties concerned may rely. All reporting data is automatically encrypted. A guideline on the intranet explains exactly what the “EVVA Compliance Line” contains and how to use it. Reporting channels are also planned for other EVVA locations
   

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  As a preventive measure and in order to focus even more strongly on the risk of corruption and bribery, EVVA is planning a new comprehensive compliance training course with a focus on anti-corruption and bribery in 2025. In addition, training is provided on topics such as whistleblowing, antitrust law or confidentiality protection. All managers and sales employees at headquarters, the works council, all branch managers and other high-risk functions such as the standards officers are involved
   
• An internal "Gifts and Invitations" policy also serves as an important basis for information for employees. From 2025, the online tool “Gift Approval” for reporting invitations and gifts will be rolled out - first at headquarters, later at all other locations. With this tool, the approval/rejection of requests for gifts and invitations is automated, transparent and traceable
   
• Training on the topic of "antitrust hazards" is mandatory at headquarters for employees who come into contact with competitors (such as sales and standards officers) and is conducted in person. In Germany, training on antitrust law is carried out every 2 years via a training module on the competition policy (for managers, entire sales and technical office). New employees are given the documents. Acknowledgement shall be confirmed in writing. Antitrust law training courses were held at other EVVA locations via our antitrust law office or via external consultants
   
• The "Tax Compliance" Directive implemented in Germany also enables reports concerning tax laws
   
• The "EVVA Business Partner Check" is a questionnaire sent to selected suppliers for self-assessment. Selection criteria include, for example, their significant share in our value chain or suppliers of very important raw materials such as metals. The “EVVA Business Partner Check” covers important sustainability topics and contains around 70 questions on anti-corruption, occupational safety, human rights, etc.
   
• The EVVA data protection statement and internal data protection guidelines, which provide information on employees’ rights and obligations, are also part of EVVA’s compliance measures

If EVVA becomes aware of a violation of our values and guidelines, action plans are agreed to avoid or reduce the negative impact on people or the environment. Our responses to violations of our policies depend on the severity. They can also lead to a temporary suspension of the supply relationship or the dismissal of employees.

Cases of corruption/bribery (ESRS G1-4)

There were no convictions or fines in the EVVA Group, even in the reporting year. Our measures serve to prevent this from happening in the future.

Compliance and acting in accordance with the law

For EVVA as a leading security company, acting in compliance with the law - not only with regard to corruption/bribery - is a matter of course. There were also no penalties or sanctions in relation to environmental law or other laws during this reporting period.

• The family-owned company EVVA expressly condemns child and forced labour as well as all types of violations of human rights. We are guided by the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
   
• For the transport of hazardous goods (e.g. batteries), EVVA has appointed its own hazardous goods officer, who is informed about all relevant laws and advises EVVA accordingly
   
• EVVA documents and monitors all laws and guidelines, including those relating to plant law, in its own legal software. It contains all regulations and legislative amendments that are relevant for a production company such as EVVA, e.g. with regard to occupational safety, waste electrical equipment, REACH regulations, etc. External audits (e.g. as part of “ISO 9001: Quality Management”) also provide EVVA with an optimal overview
   
• Strong data protection. EVVA complies with the strict EU GDPR regulations (sometimes even before they become legally effective) and implements comprehensive data protection measures with the support of an external data protection officer. For more information, see Data Protection