Agenda 2030: environmental protection, sustainability, human rights, labor law, corruption

Compliance with Laws
Each of us must comply with applicable laws and regulations and act in accordance with company policies. This includes any code of conduct (or policy containing a code of conduct) of the company or an affiliated company. Compliance with laws and regulations is a core principle of SCHÜTZ+LICHT and forms the basis of our company policies. Non-compliant or unlawful behavior can cause significant harm to the company and result in termination of employment or other disciplinary action.

respect, integrity and reliability
Each of us must act with integrity, respect and fairness. The diversity of employees and cultures throughout our company is an important asset that we value. Each of us has a duty to respect other values, beliefs and national or cultural characteristics.

Equal Opportunities and Anti-Bullying
SCHÜTZ+LICHT is committed to the principle of providing equal employment opportunities and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals, without distinction or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, marital status, medical condition (as defined by applicable law), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.
Likewise, SCHÜTZ+LICHT strives to provide its employees with a safe working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying. Employees can report allegations of harassment, bullying and discrimination to the company in accordance with the applicable local guidelines. No form of harassment or bullying will be tolerated and any form of harassment or bullying can lead to appropriate measures up to and including termination of employment.

Against retaliation
SCHÜTZ+LICHT is committed to protecting employees who report misconduct with honest motives and in good faith and prohibits any retaliation against any person who engages in a legally protected activity, reports a violation of a policy, complains about a violation of a policy, or cooperates with an investigation. If an employee believes he or she has been the victim of retaliation, he or she must immediately notify the company in accordance with applicable local policies. Retaliation in any form will not be tolerated and may result in appropriate action, up to and including termination of employment.

respect for the environment
SCHÜTZ+LICHT conducts its business in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Sustainability means increasing efficiency, reducing costs and changing our daily lives for the better. Each of us is responsible for promoting these values and considering both the environment and sustainability when making business decisions.

relationships with other companies and individuals

antitrust and competition law
We must all comply with antitrust and competition laws and observe the principles of fair and open competition. SCHÜTZ+LICHT does not enter into agreements with competitors that violate antitrust or competition laws. This includes the exchange of commercially sensitive information such as pricing, pricing strategies, terms and conditions or market analyses. Such anti-competitive practices are unacceptable and ultimately harm our own competitiveness. It is essential that each of us strictly adhere to the antitrust and competition laws that apply in every country in which we do business.
Violations of these laws can result in severe penalties and endanger SCHÜTZ+LICHT.

bribery, corruption, extortion, money laundering
We expect all persons acting on behalf of SCHÜTZ+LICHT to act in accordance with the highest ethical standards and to meet the highest standards of efficiency and trustworthiness. No improper payments or benefits may be granted to business partners, authorities or other third parties. All employees and contractors are expressly prohibited from making payments or other benefits to public employees, civil servants or public officials, business partners or private parties in order to achieve a result that is favorable to SCHÜTZ+LICHT.
In addition to the criminal liability of extortion, we expressly prohibit the unlawful use of violence or the threat of serious harm against others in order to obtain an action or omission in order to gain an economic advantage.
In addition, all commissions and fees paid to third parties must be proportionate to the service provided.
Finally, no employee or contractor of SCHÜTZ+LICHT may request or accept a benefit for themselves or a close relative that they would not otherwise receive. Accepting occasional gifts of small value or accepting invitations is permitted within the framework of the applicable laws and generally accepted customs of the respective country.

Anti-Money Laundering: All payments to and from customers are made exclusively cashless via bank transfer/banking software. This means that our company cannot handle illegally acquired money or be involved in so-called money laundering.

conflicts of interest
SCHÜTZ+LICHT employees and contractors should always avoid any behavior, business involvement or other actions that are or could be contrary to the interests of the company. Employees and contractors must obtain appropriate approval before becoming a member of the board of directors or a committee of an industry association. Any kind of secondary employment must be reported. If a conflict of interest could exist, SCHÜTZ+LICHT reserves the right to prohibit this activity.

health and safety
The health and safety of all SCHÜTZ+LICHT employees is our top priority. To achieve this goal, we ask all employees and contractors to perform their duties in accordance with applicable occupational health and safety laws and regulations.

Information security
Information security is an essential part of SCHÜTZ+LICHT's code of conduct. Each of us is responsible for ensuring that the company's data is secure at all times. This includes keeping data related to the company's intellectual property and internal information confidential. Intellectual property includes trade secrets, patents and trademarks. Such information may only be used with the express permission of SCHÜTZ+LICHT.
Internal information includes, for example, strategic, financial, technical or business information. Employees are not permitted to share such information. In addition, employees and contractors must complete annual data security and data protection training and must never use company information for personal gain or for the benefit of third parties.

financial reporting
SCHÜTZ+LICHT is legally obliged to provide accurate and correct financial reporting. In addition, the quality of reporting and accounting is crucial to the proper management of the company. All of the company's books, records and financial reports must accurately reflect all business transactions and comply with applicable legal requirements and the company's accounting policies.

Compliance
Violations of this Code of Conduct will be carefully investigated and may result in legal action or disciplinary action. Employees may report non-compliant behavior to their supervisor. They may also report issues related to non-compliance with this Code of Conduct confidentially by email to schuetz@schuetz-licht.de .

All reports are taken seriously and investigated.

Directive on Human Rights and Working Conditions

principle
The following policy on human rights and working conditions is binding for all employees and managers at SCHÜTZ+LICHT. Violations can lead to disciplinary measures up to and including termination of employment. If you observe a violation at SCHÜTZ+LICHT, please inform your supervisor or the managing director. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and fairness. We are aware of our social and societal responsibility. Respect for human rights and compliance with fair working conditions are the basis of our actions. To this end, we regularly check compliance with the legal framework and identify and evaluate the requirements of our business contacts. We assume that all employees, business partners and suppliers understand and comply with this policy.

child labor and young workers
We are committed to banning any form of child labor. When employing minors, we observe the minimum age for employment in accordance with national regulations. SCHÜTZ+LICHT operates in countries all over the world. Regardless of which country or countries we do business in, local laws are complied with. If a minimum wage is prescribed, this is at least paid. This also applies to students and internships.

wages and social benefits
We offer our employees appropriate and performance-related remuneration, which is based at least on the respective statutory minimum wage. The remuneration is supplemented by additional benefits. Work results and performance behavior are key criteria for remuneration.

Working hours
We are committed to complying with the respective national working time regulations. This includes taking into account appropriate rest, leisure and holiday periods. In addition, we promote the compatibility of work and private life.

Forced or compulsory labor and human trafficking (modern slavery)
We prohibit any form of forced or compulsory labor (slavery). This includes any work or service (servitude) that is compelled from a person under threat of punishment, or that is performed under duress or not voluntarily. We are firmly committed to prohibiting any form of human trafficking.

Ethical recruitment (gender, ethnic origin, faith)
We are committed to the principle and prescribe it for recruitment that the hiring or selection of new employees is not made dependent on gender (m/f/d), skin colour, religious beliefs, ethnic history or disability (as long as this is compatible with the position to be filled).

freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
We recognize and respect the right of all employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

work safety
The safety, physical and mental health and well-being of all employees are our highest priority. We strictly adhere to the global occupational health and safety laws. In accordance with legal requirements, a safety officer is responsible for compliance with and implementation of measures for emergency preparedness, accident and incident management, workplace ergonomics and fire protection.

harassment and non-discrimination
We do not tolerate any form of harassment or intimidation of employees, business partners, suppliers or other persons. We reject any form of discrimination. No one may be disadvantaged or harassed on the basis of nationality, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, political or other beliefs. Equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity are core values of SCHÜTZ+LICHT.

Directive on Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational health and safety is a fundamental principle of SCHÜTZ+LICHT. We constantly strive to minimize the risks for our employees, contractors and third parties, to improve the measures to prevent accidents at work and work-related health hazards, including measures to ensure that work is designed in a humane manner, and to achieve the goal of "zero accidents". Safety First!

To achieve this goal, we employ an externally commissioned safety expert, Peter Schlussnus Engineering Office, as well as external specialists for occupational safety and health protection (company doctor, BGHM representative) and have our own safety officers and first aiders. The topics of machine safety, work equipment, ergonomics, health hazards, hazardous substances, order and cleanliness, activities and work processes as well as the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are continuously reviewed and improved if necessary. The provision of safe and healthy workplaces, safe work equipment and safe work processes and methods is ensured by various control mechanisms. These are based on the results of risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed. The workplaces we create meet all safety standards. Compliance with national and European regulations and standards is guaranteed.

Safety regulations are strictly adhered to in our company. Every manager is responsible for the protection of employees and must instruct, train and monitor them accordingly. To ensure the safety of visitors, additional protective measures are taken in accordance with the latest technology and legislation.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
We instruct all employees and monitor this to ensure that manual work that has a potential for danger is only carried out with suitable personal protective equipment. This applies to our workshop but also to assembly work at our customers' premises. In particular, you are required to wear the following protective equipment:

Safety glasses: Working with cutting machines (eye protection against flying sparks), handling acids / alkalis
Protective gloves rubber: Handling acids and / or alkalis
Protective gloves made of leather or similar: protection against sharp edges / pointed objects (metal burrs, wood splinters)
Safety shoes: Protection against sharp, pointed objects, falling heavy tools / workpieces
High visibility vests: For customers with vehicle traffic; not required in the S+L workshop area
Safety helmets: For customers, if crane operations / suspended loads are handled there

Damaged equipment must be replaced.

machine safety
The machines may only be used for their intended purpose. Personal protective equipment must be worn where this seems sensible. We would like to point out that gloves must not be worn with drilling machines, grinding machines, lathes, etc. The machine safety instructions must be read and applied before use.

Emergency care
In the event of emergency care being required, each employee is obliged to take appropriate measures alone or jointly. The employee who recognizes the emergency immediately informs first responders/authorities/fire department etc. and/or initiates help independently.
In addition, he also informs the management. In detail:

Work accident: First responder and / or emergency services 112
Fires, explosions: Use existing fire extinguishers / emergency call 112
Environmental accidents: Other employees (if damage limitation is possible), alternatively fire department 112 / authorities

workplace ergonomics
As part of the ASA inspections, the safety officers and the external safety specialist are required to work with their supervisors to assess the ergonomics of the individual office/computer and workshop workstations and, if necessary, to optimise them. If deficiencies are identified, work processes and facilities must be improved so that the work places as little strain on employees as possible and physical injuries are avoided.

Handling of chemical and/or biological substances
If the substances mentioned above have a potential hazard, they must be stored safely in the chemical cabinet provided. The substances may only be used in compliance with the relevant safety instructions. We would also like to point out that next to the chemical cabinet there is a folder with safety data sheets for all chemicals used. The instructions for handling the individual chemicals can be found in the safety data sheets in the operating instructions for the respective substances.

accident and incident management
In addition to the above-mentioned measures to avert danger and limit damage to life, limb, the environment or material assets, the employee is instructed to inform his or her supervisor and/or management. In order to permanently eliminate the source of danger/disturbance, the employee is free to take any suitable measure to prevent, stop and eliminate the danger, disturbance or environmental damage. In addition to alerting emergency services/authorities, this can also include ordering tradesmen (e.g. electricians, etc.). In the event of accidents and serious disturbances, the supervisor or management must be informed.

data security and operational capability of the company
The digital company data is backed up daily on a backup server on working days. In addition, data is backed up daily and monthly on working days on removable hard drives. These are stored in another part of the building (behind a fire wall).
If fire fighting is required in the server room, the CO² fire extinguisher available there must be used. A fire in this room must not be fought with a standard powder extinguisher because the extinguishing powder would destroy the digital infrastructure.
In case of damage or a standard failure of the server, EDV-Plaschke must be informed in order to start the alternative operation with a replacement server / backup hard disks

Fire Protection
The entire building, including offices, warehouse and workshop, was newly built in 2019 and complies with the current requirements of the fire protection regulations. The employees have been/are regularly trained:

In the operation of fire extinguishers
Fire doors must not be locked in the open position
Escape doors must not be blocked from inside or outside
That and where fire extinguishers are available in sufficient numbers and should be used when necessary

For the control of fire protection equipment (escape doors, smoke vents, fire doors, gates and fire extinguishers) there is a service contract with a company specialising in fire protection

Basics of occupational safety, health protection and accident / incident management are:

The cooperation of all employees forms the basis of occupational safety and health protection at SCHÜTZ+LICHT Prüftechnik GmbH
Training and instruction of all employees on all relevant occupational safety topics. In this way, we ensure that our employees have the necessary skills to be able to carry out their tasks safely.
Regular audits, inspections and reviews of work areas and work procedures by the safety officer to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations
Control, observation and analysis of occupational health and safety services and processes with regard to compliance with legal regulations (Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Ordinance, Industrial Safety Ordinance, Hazardous Substances Ordinance, PPE Use Ordinance, Ordinance on Occupational Health Care, relevant standards, rules and other regulations).
Provision of instructions and training on how to use our products and equipment

Occupational safety is an integral part of company health management and includes the guiding principle of ensuring a comprehensive, holistic understanding of the safety and health of our employees.

Efficient occupational safety is one of the most important building blocks at SCHÜTZ+LICHT and is responsibly implemented in the spirit of the holistic approach by the management in collaboration with the BGHM, the team in cooperation with a DEKRA company doctor.

Our strategic goals are defined

Health-friendly design of workplaces
support healthy behavior
linking the necessary measures
Systematic and sustainable implementation

Environmental Directive and Ecological Sustainability

Sustainability is a long-term strategic success factor not only for SCHÜTZ+LICHT Prüftechnik GmbH, but also for suppliers and their subcontractors. This sustainability guideline also actively demands sustainable business practices from suppliers.

The aim of this sustainability policy is to create common performance standards and awareness and to promote a commitment to responsible business. We are guided by the United Nations Agenda 2020 - here: compliance with legal standards and environmental guidelines. We also expect our direct suppliers to ensure that their subcontractors and suppliers comply with this policy. They are requested to pass on the contents of this policy to everyone involved in their supply chain and to actively promote compliance.

Energy Efficiency
Climate change is an irreversible process that we must tackle together with determination. We will therefore continue on the path we have taken so far to further reduce CO2 emissions from our business activities and our supply chain. In addition, we will continue to improve the energy efficiency of our services in order to reduce the energy consumption of the company, our employees and our customers. The possibilities for increasing energy efficiency through our own measures are limited because we do not operate any production. In this context, we can state the following status:

On-site visits by technicians for service calibrations are organized as a round trip (CO² savings in fuel)
The heating control was changed to “smart” heating controllers with temperature reduction
The air conditioning systems in the offices should only be operated when necessary and with the doors closed
Employees are instructed to leave windows, doors and gates of heated rooms open only for a short time
All offered testing machines / equipment are operated with energy-optimized AC motors

use of renewable energy

The roof of the building is almost completely covered with solar cells (full feed-in)
The electrical energy is obtained from sustainable sources (green electricity)
Currently, 2 vehicles with electric drive are registered to the company
As soon as suitable vehicles (Passat class, load capacity >850 km) are available on the market, electrically powered vehicles will be procured for the technicians (mileage 60.000 to 80.000 km / year)
An 11 kW wallbox is available for visitors and employees to charge electrically powered vehicles

environmental responsibility

Natural resource management
Saving natural resources is the best way to protect the environment!
Our company, employees and suppliers are required to use natural resources responsibly and act according to the precautionary principle. Joint initiatives to save resources should be the priority wherever possible and should be taken up whenever possible. Care should be taken to use natural resources as little as possible and to avoid contamination.

Environmentally friendly production
SCHÜTZ+LICHT does not operate its own production facilities. Employees who are entrusted with assembly work in our workshop and all suppliers are required to ensure that this work/production is carried out with optimum environmental protection. This also includes proactive action to prevent or minimize the consequences of accidents that could have a negative impact on the environment. Particular importance is attached to the use and further development of energy and water-saving technologies - characterized by the use of strategies for reducing emissions, reuse and recycling.

Environmentally friendly products
All products manufactured along the value chain must comply with the environmental standards of their respective market segment. This includes all materials and substances used in production. Chemicals and other substances that pose a risk if released into the environment must be identified. Hazardous substance management must be established for them so that they can be safely handled, transported, stored, reprocessed or reused and disposed of using appropriate procedures.

waste prevention and pollutant disposal

The company’s employees are encouraged to avoid waste
Unavoidable waste (transport boxes, paper packaging, etc.) is sorted and disposed of appropriately (recyclable waste collection containers, disposal at recycling collection points)
Inner packaging of delivered goods (padding - often made of polystyrene or plastic) is collected and recycled for outgoing shipments
For packaging of goods, recyclable material is used wherever possible (paper padding)
Unnecessary printing of emails should be avoided, processing should be “paperless”
Customers are requested to accept invoices etc. in PDF format and electronic delivery
Drinks for guests and employees are delivered in glass deposit bottles
Recyclable materials (metals, electronics, printer cartridges) are collected and appropriately recycled
Pollutants (oil, batteries, chemicals) are collected and disposed of appropriately

complaints management

In the event of justified or unjustified complaints about orders or violations of our own guidelines, you can expect us to deal with your complaint in a regulated and professional manner. The complaints procedure is available for all types of complaints and for all interest groups. SCHÜTZ+LICHT Prüftechnik GmbH has a regulated procedure for handling complaints. With this document, we would like to inform you about how we react in the event of a complaint and what you can expect from us.

By the way: All complaints are evaluated and processed. The findings from these are fed back into our quality management and help us to continuously improve.
Of course, we will treat the identity of the complainant confidentially. SCHÜTZ+LICHT Prüftechnik GmbH undertakes not to take any reprisals against complainants. Complaints can also be made anonymously.

receipt of your complaints
You can submit your complaint to us informally by email to info(a)Schuetz-Licht-de or by phone at +49 2173-91939-0. We will forward it to the responsible clerk, the DAkkS laboratory manager, the quality officer, the safety officer or the management. If your complaint is directed at a specific person or department, please let us know.

processing your complaint
Within 24 hours of receiving your complaint, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt from us (not for anonymous complaints - see anonymized email). If necessary, we will ask you for further information. Within 48 hours at the latest, you will receive a written statement stating whether we believe the complaint is justified and whether it relates to the activities of our company. A complaint can only be processed within two weeks of receipt.

Anonymized email
If you want to submit your complaint anonymously, you can use our general contact form. If you do not provide an email address, we will not be able to send you a reply. To receive a reply to an anonymous email, you can set up an anonymized email account:
Google.com / Web.de / GMX.de) e.g. b. 123XYZ@Gmail.com

If the complaint is justified, we will inform you in writing of the measures we intend to take to resolve the problem. While your complaint is being processed and the related measures are being taken, you will receive regular progress reports, in writing if you wish - usually by email.