Supplier Code of Conduct

The Supplier Code of Conduct applies to suppliers of Materna Information & Communications SE, their sub-suppliers and the security personnel they employ.

By signing the UN Global Compact, Materna Information & Communications SE (hereinafter referred to as "Materna") has committed itself to sustainable business practices, to implementing the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact and to taking measures to support the Sustainable Development Goals. We expect the same from our suppliers.

The catalogue of principles covers the areas of human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption. Accordingly, companies should

• Support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and ensure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses,
• support the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation,
• deal prudently with environmental challenges, support initiatives to promote a more responsible approach to the environment and promote the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies,
• work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.

Law as a minimum standard

Regional, national and international laws concerning the supplier's business activities must be fully complied with.

Human rights

Just like us, our suppliers are committed to respecting the human rights of their employees. No employee of our suppliers may be discriminated against by the company or by other employees with regard to nationality, religion, age, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation. Child and forced labour are strictly prohibited.

Anti-corruption

High integrity must be an integral part of our corporate philosophy. With this in mind, our suppliers are obliged to

• Refrain from bribery or other improper methods to influence the public, public officials, the judiciary and representatives of other business partners.
• Not to provide any Materna employee with favours in any way, such as free products and services (e.g. hotel accommodation), in order to positively influence business with Materna.
• Refrain from activities that negatively influence free competition, including cartels and price fixing.

Intellectual property and plagiarism

Our suppliers respect international intellectual property rights. They will neither acquire nor circulate counterfeit products.

Antitrust law

Our suppliers comply with all applicable national and international rules of antitrust law, trade control and restrictions, such as embargoes or sanctions, and behave fairly in competition. They do not participate in antitrust agreements with competitors, nor do our suppliers abuse their possibly dominant market position.

Export control

Our suppliers must comply at all times with the applicable export control and customs laws of the Federal Republic of Germany in connection with the manufacture, international purchase and sale as well as the related import and export of goods and services.

Money laundering

Our suppliers must not participate in any form of money laundering and must ensure that financial transactions are not used for money laundering.

Data protection

When collecting, processing and archiving data and information from our suppliers as part of the cooperation with Materna, the supplier must observe and comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ensure the protection of personal and confidential data at all times.

Freedom of association

Our suppliers respect the right of their employees to freedom of association within the framework of the applicable rights and laws.

Occupational health and safety

The health and safety of employees is a top priority for our suppliers and must be guaranteed at all times. Suppliers must comply with the statutory occupational health and safety requirements and organise their work in accordance with the principles of prevention. Occupational safety and health protection are integral components of all operational processes. Every employee of the supplier must be obliged to promote health and safety in their working environment and to comply with the regulations on health and safety at work. Every manager of the supplier must be obliged to instruct and support employees in the fulfilment of this responsibility. The provisions of the Working Hours Act must be respected and maximum working hours as well as rest and break times must be observed by the supplier.

Fair wages/child labour/forced labour

Materna respects internationally recognised human rights standards and supports compliance with them. All forms of forced labour, slavery, human trafficking and child labour are strictly rejected. Materna is of the opinion that only performance-related remuneration can ensure industrial peace and the efficiency of companies in the long term. All contracting parties should be appropriately reflected in the remuneration system. The local statutory minimum standards must be observed. Suppliers of Materna undertake to ensure that these requirements are also met in full.

Discrimination and harassment

Mutual respect for the personal dignity, privacy and personal rights of each individual as well as a culture of responsible and respectful interaction is of great importance to Materna. Equal opportunities are mandatory and any form of discrimination must be prevented in all decisions regardless of gender, skin colour, culture, ethnic origin, religious affiliation, ideology, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. Suppliers of Materna must comply with and implement these principles in the same way.

Safe possibility of whistleblowing

Materna suppliers must report suspected violations of regulations, laws and the Materna Supplier Code of Conduct. The Materna contact person must be notified in the event of violations.

Our business partners give their employees the opportunity to report to Materna any criminal offences or violations of the Supplier Code of Conduct committed in the course of their work during the business relationship that may have an impact on Materna.

Our business partners do not tolerate any discrimination against persons who report violations of the principles set out in this Supplier Code of Conduct.

Environmental protection

Environmental pollution and damage must be avoided in all phases of production and service provision.

We expect our suppliers to have developed and implemented a specific environmental policy and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations for the protection of the environment in the course of their business activities.

The continuous improvement of efficiency in terms of the conscious and careful use of resources is an important part of management and operational leadership. Preference is to be given to the use of sustainable, renewable energy, for example through the use of photovoltaic systems.

Waste of any kind and all emissions into the air, water or soil should be minimised, labelled and monitored.

When handling substances (substances, preparations and products) that are classified as hazardous if they are released into the environment, their safe handling, movement, storage, reuse or disposal must be ensured. The necessary measures for air pollution control, waste water treatment and waste policy to protect soil quality must be complied with.

Our suppliers do not participate in any unlawful seizure of land, forests and water and in any unlawful eviction.

Accessibility

Suppliers are encouraged to provide goods and services that are as accessible as possible and can also be used by people with disabilities. If accessibility standards apply to the goods and services provided, suppliers are strongly recommended to take these standards into account and fulfil them. These include, for example, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA (WCAG), contained in Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act and in the harmonised EN 301 549, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the German Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV).

Initiatives for the common good

We are committed to the common good at our locations and beyond. We expect our suppliers to do their part for the common good within the scope of their possibilities.

Financial responsibility

Our suppliers document the main business transactions promptly and comprehensibly. Internal and external records must be complete and correct. Documents that may be required for internal or official investigations must be retained and must not be altered.

Financial records must be prepared in accordance with the principles of proper accounting and retained in compliance with the statutory retention periods.

Treatment of information

Our suppliers always treat Materna information confidentially. Our suppliers respect and maintain the privacy of each individual and the confidentiality of non-public information, even beyond the business relationship with Materna. The protection of personal data of our employees, partners, customers and suppliers and compliance with national and international data protection regulations are a matter of course for us.

If information is disclosed within the framework of legal or other provisions, this is done precisely and promptly. This includes information about business activities, environmental practices, health and safety measures and financial position.

Avoidance of conflicts of interest

We expect our suppliers to make business decisions exclusively in the interests of the company and to avoid conflicts of interest with private interests or other economic or other activities from the outset, including those of relatives or other related persons or organisations. We expect our suppliers to make contributions, invitations, donations or sponsorship only within the legally permissible framework.

Fair market behaviour

Materna's suppliers and business partners must comply with local antitrust and competition laws. As business partners of Materna, they respect fair competition and adhere to the ban on anti-competitive agreements with competitors and suppliers.

We reserve the right to check our suppliers for compliance with the requirements of this Supplier Code of Conduct.

Materna attaches great importance to working in partnership with its business partners. In the event of minor violations of this Supplier Code of Conduct, the business partner is therefore generally given the opportunity to implement appropriate remedial measures within a reasonable period of time if the business partner is generally willing to remedy and improve. In the event of serious violations, however, Materna reserves the right to take appropriate measures against the respective business partner.

Materna Information & Communications SE
Dortmund, 19 June 2023

Michael Hagedorn (Chairman of the Executive Board, CEO) - Dr René Rüdinger (CFO)