Fresenius

Trust is our strongest currency.

As a global healthcare company, our patients, customers, partners and investors trust us, as does the public. The Fresenius Code of Conduct is designed to support us in doing the right thing.

 

Compliance

 

 

"Integrity, responsibility, and transparency are a must – they are the ethical foundation of everything we do. They inspire our actions and shape the way we work with each other, our suppliers, and business partners. Let’s do the right thing together."

Dr. Michael Moser, Member of the Fresenius Management Board responsible for Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, Sustainability, Human Resources, Corporate Audit and Fresenius Vamed

  • Our Code of Conduct

    At Fresenius, integrity and ethical conduct are not just guidelines, but the driving forces behind everything we do. Our comprehensive Group-wide Code of Conduct* forms the basis of our actions and commits us to consistent compliance with laws, internal guidelines and the highest ethical standards. This Code, which was adopted by the Group Management Board, provides a clear framework for conduct throughout the Fresenius Group and applies to all employees - from the management level down to each individual team member. The Code of Conduct is based on our five corporate principles and guarantees that we as a company meet the highest standards of conduct at all times. Through mandatory training, we ensure that every individual in our company lives the values of our Code of Conduct and actively commits to these principles. Together, we create a culture of trust, responsibility and continuous improvement.

    *Subject to compliance with the relevant information and co-determination rights of the relevant employee representatives.

  • We Serve Patients Beyond Expectations

     

    • Application of the highest ethical standards in healthcare
    • Conscientious in handling patient safety and hygiene
    • No compromises on the quality of medicine, care, products and services

  • We Care for Exellence

     

    • No involvement in bribery and corruption
    • Combating money laundering and terrorism financing
    • Transparent handling of sponsoring activities and donations
    • Transparency in dealing with gifts and invitations
    • Disclosure of conflicts of interest
    • Compliance with antitrust and competition laws
    • Compliance with customs and trade regulations
    • Accurate and transparent accounting

  • We Bring Healthcare Innovation to People

     

    • Pioneer in innovation and development
    • Responsible use of artificial intelligence

  • We Live the Power of One Team

     

    • Respect for human rights
    • Promoting of equal treatment and opportunities for all
    • No tolerance of discrimination
    • Safe working conditions    
    • Transparent communication - both internal and external

  • We Act Today for a Better Tomorrow

     

    • Responsible interaction with the environment
    • Strengthening confidence through data protection
    • Protecting the digital environment through cyber security
    • Protection of confidential company information
    • Protection of company assets

Reports on potential Compliance cases

At Fresenius, upholding our ethical standards and compliance is central to our business. We empower our employees and external stakeholders to voice concerns about potential misconduct, including violations of laws, regulations, or our internal guidelines. Our comprehensive and confidential reporting system is accessible globally, supporting submissions in over 30 languages through various channels. Reports can be made by name or anonymously at any time of the day.

Online Reporting Platform: freseniusgroup.ethicspoint.com1

Phone Number: +49 (0) 800 181 13382

Incoming reports are treated confidentially and are taken seriously. Each report is carefully evaluated for its plausibility and potential impact. Our independent employees of the Group Case Management and Investigation Office (Group CMIO) ensure thorough comprehensive investigations. Actions are promptly taken by the responsible management in collaboration with  the Group CMIO. 
Depending on the type and severity of the misconduct, disciplinary sanctions or remedies under civil or criminal law may be imposed. After completion of the investigation, we use the results of internal reviews and reports to review our business processes. We implement corrective or improvement measures where necessary to prevent similar misconduct in the future.

Only acting in an exemplary fashion enables us to maintain our integrity and the trust of our colleagues and partners. Every one of us is responsible for our personal behavior.

Thank you for your support and commitment to compliance at Fresenius

1The whistleblowing system can be used for reports concerning Fresenius Management SE, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Fresenius Digital Technology GmbH and other Fresenius Corporate entities. Please address reports for Fresenius Kabi, Fresenius Helios, or Fresenius Vamed to the relevant business segment. Fresenius Group is not responsible for receiving or processing reports concerning Fresenius Medical Care. Fresenius Medical Care reporting channels are published on the following website: Compliance Overview | Fresenius Medical Care

 2 The prices of your mobile or landline contract apply.

 

Code of Conduct for Business Partners

At Fresenius, we uphold the applicable standards not only within our operations but across our supply chain. Our revised Code of Conduct for Business Partners, enriched with human rights considerations aligned with the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (LkSG), sets clear expectations for ethical conduct towards business partners and suppliers. This Code mandates compliance with all applicable laws and explicitly prohibits corruption and bribery, aligning with both national and international anti-corruption laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring transparency in interactions with healthcare professionals and reflects our values and the care we extend to our patients and employees worldwide.

Prior to initiating any business relationship, we inform our partners about these requirements and conduct risk-based due diligence. Our Codes of Conduct for Business Partner as well as those of our operating companies are publicly accessible, reflecting our transparency and commitment to ethical business practices.

  • Our Compliance Management System

    At Fresenius, our Compliance Management System (CMS) is aligned with the activity of our business segments, designed to proactively prevent corruption and bribery within our business environment. Tailored to the needs of our business segments, our CMS aspire to integrate a deep understanding of compliance into our daily operations. 

    Our system is built risk-oriented on the pillars of prevention, detection, and response, aiming to embed a living compliance culture across all levels of our organization. This culture is not static but evolves through continuous improvement and active exchange of best practices across our segments. The business segments develop operational goals and measures on an annual basis to continuously strengthen the compliance management system.
     

  • Our Compliance Management System - Organisation

    The Group function Risk & Integrity advises the corporate functions, sets minimum standards for the compliance management system Group-wide, and manages the Group-wide compliance reporting.

    The Risk Steering Committee (RSC) – under the management of the ESG Board member – discusses internal and external developments regarding the risk management and internal control system as an advisory body. This includes, for example, developments relevant for the compliance management system.

    The Group Chief Compliance Officer, the Chief Compliance Officers, or Heads of Compliance of each business segment, the Chief Customs and Trade Compliance Officer and the Head of Group Reporting & Monitoring form the Group Compliance Management Team (GCMT). This management team meets on a monthly basis and sets the governance standards for compliance at Fresenius and supports the effective implementation of the compliance management system. The GCMT regularly examines the results of the compliance risk analysis, the compliance figures, the further development of the compliance management system and the results of monitoring measures.

  • Our Compliance Management System - Review

    The design and implementation of our compliance management system is based on international regulations and guidelines, such as the ISO standards on the setup of compliance management systems and applicable audit standards of the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany, Incorporated Association IDW (PS 980). When implementing measures, we take into account the respective national or international legal frameworks. In addition, a law firm reviewed the design of the Corporate CMS and concluded that it is organizationally effectively anchored and programmatically appropriately designed.

    Post-acquisition, we quickly integrate new entities into our compliance framework, ensuring our standards are uniformly applied.
     

Our Tax Strategy

Compliance with laws is a central principle of our understanding of compliance. This includes compliance with all applicable tax obligations worldwide. Tax compliance is fundamental to the reputation of Fresenius. With this premise in mind, Fresenius’ tax strategy is reflected in our “Group Tax Policy”. The “Group Tax Policy” describes Fresenius’ strategic approach to tax matters, is aligned with its core values and aimed at safeguarding compliance with all tax laws and reporting obligations as well as enhancing shareholder value. The “Group Tax Policy” is valid for all subsidiaries worldwide.

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