50Hertz is committed to its responsibility to protect human rightsand naturally respects the right to privacy, personal safety, freedom of speech and property rights of employees, residents, and customers. 50Hertz also undertakes responsibility for compliance with social standards in the supply chain. For this reason, 50Hertz is not only a member of the United Nations Global Compact but is also committed to the core labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
In order to ensure that business partners also comply with internationally valid regulations on human rights, (such as the banning of forced and child labour) sustainability and ethics are essential components of the supplier and service provider assessment. Since 2019, a joint Code of Conduct for suppliers of the Elia Group has been an integral part of all supplier contracts of 50 Hertz. In the periodic supplier meetings 50Hertz informs employees on sustainable action and therefore communicates the understanding for compliance with ethical principles and guidelines of sustainable development. All orders are placed centrally. In this respect, all 50Hertz business locations are cross-referenced and monitoired for human rights diligence issues and anti corruption.
The successive expansion of supply chain management to include sustainability issues will continue for years to come. Following an initial risk assessment of the 20 largest suppliers on sustainability issues and the human rights in 2018, a more in-depth analysis of possible human rights risks in the direct and indirect supply chain was carried out in the year under an intense review. The analysis was based on the humanrights due to diligence requirements set out in the German NationalAction Plan (NAP). As a result, four human rights risks at 50Hz and inthe supply chain were acknowledged and prioritised.
- Health and safety in the workplace
- Environmental protection and health
- Employment and working conditions
- Freedom of assembly and expression
The risks identified will be analysed in greater depth in the coming reporting year and appropriate measures will be undertaken.