GRI 2-24 Implementation of standards and codes of conduct

Geberit’s compliance organisation is decentralised and a consistently implemented compliance programme in all relevant risk areas forms the basis of the high-quality compliance standards. The main compliance activities for Geberit encompass the areas antitrust legislation (GRI 206), corruption (GRI 205), data protection (GRI 418), product liability (GRI 416, GRI 417), fundamental employee rights (Communication on Progress UNGC, sections on human rights and labour) as well as environment, health and safety (GRI 2-27, GRI 403). For further information, see Business Report > Business and financial review > Financial Year 2023 > Compliance.

All new employees at Geberit are trained on the Code of Conduct as part of the Welcome events. Among other things, specific training films on the topics of corruption, IT misuse, workplace bullying and sexual harassment are deployed especially for this. The Geberit Intranet (GIN), which since 2020 has also been available to all employees via mobile app, also serves as an important basis for this. The compliance organisation and Code of Conduct are presented and explained here.

In terms of the environment, the precautionary approach plays an important role for Geberit as a production company. This approach is described in the Geberit Code of Conduct. The Geberit Group has a Group certificate in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety) that is valid until 2024. The renewal of the group certificate for another three years until 2027 is planned for 2024. All production plants, central logistics, and the management company incorporating all Group functions at headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona (CH) are certified in accordance with these three standards. In addition, five German plants are certified in accordance with ISO 50001 (energy) and nine sales companies in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality). The audit tool developed in 2020 and implemented in 2021 was further developed. It enables the digital management of internal and external audits and provides an overview of the measures and their implementation as part of the process improvement. Furthermore, the Group-wide availability of the tool makes it easier to share best practices.

In terms of employee protection and human rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights apply to the business activities of Geberit. Geberit is active across the world, including in regions posing a certain degree of risk with regard to the upholding of fundamental employee and human rights. The upholding of human rights at all Geberit Group companies is subject to a survey each year as part of the verification of the Code of Conduct. With regard to the implementation of due diligence in procurement, see Procurement.

In addition, internal audits with compliance reviews took place at 20 companies of the Geberit Group in the reporting year. For further information, see GRI 2-26, GRI 2-27.

Geberit also discloses the efforts it makes to minimise social and environmental risks through ratings. In this context, the EcoVadis rating is particularly relevant, with Geberit awarded the gold rating for its sustainability management; see also Customer relations.