Information and complaints

Information and complaints

Rules of procedure for the complaints procedure

The Rohde & Schwarz group of companies respects the inalienable rights of all people. In order to live up to this principle, we are establishing relevant procedures for the purpose of respecting human rights and implementing reasonable measures for ensuring compliance with due diligence obligations according to the Supply Chain Act (LkSG).

Establishing an appropriate complaints procedure is a core element of due diligence obligations to address information about human rights-related and environment-related risks or violations in our own business and in our supply chain.

The objective of these Rules of Procedure is to establish transparency with respect to the essential characteristics of the complaints procedure, for example, by providing an overview of the channels to file a complaint, presenting the sequence of the complaints procedure and ensuring effective protection against discrimination or reprisals as a result of a complaint.

1. Who is the complaints procedure intended for, and what purpose does it serve?

The complaints procedure:

  • serves every individual or group of people in Germany and abroad as a platform to report relevant information about human rights-related and environment-related risks to the Rohde & Schwarz group,
  • serves as an early warning system to recognize, remedy or minimize the above-mentioned risks before they can result in potential harms,
  • allows for individuals or groups of people to have – subsequent to reporting a suspicion of a rights violation – access to an appropriate remedy so that an arising harm may be directly averted or minimized, and
  • allows the Rohde & Schwarz group to receive feedback on the effectiveness of due diligence procedures and to promote their continuous development and optimization.

2. Where may I submit information and complaints? Who handles these and how are they processed?

Decentralized and centralized reporting channels are available to individuals and groups of people to submit information and complaints.

The decentralized reporting channels are:

  • responsible managers,
  • the responsible HR department
  • the responsible regional and local compliance officers of the respective group company.

The centralized reporting channels are:

  • conventional mail to the Risk Management & Compliance (GF-LRR) department of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Mühldorfstraße 15, 81671 Munich, or to the registered office of the respective group company,
  • email to compliance@rohde-schwarz.com.com or
  • telephone at: +49 89 4129 – 0.

The central office responsible for our complaints procedure and the primary point of contact for questions and comments is the Risk Management and Compliance (GF-LR) department of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co.KG.

Information and complaints reports will always be handled confidentially and may be

  • submitted free of charge,
  • made in numerous, common languages, and
  • submitted around the clock.

Selected, competent employees of the Rohde & Schwarz group will process the information and complaints based on the individual cases. They will act impartially, independently and will not be bound by instructions, and they are obligated to maintain confidentiality.

3. How does the complaints procedure work?

The handling of all information received follows a structured process that is described below.

Report receipt and further contact:

  • The individual submitting the information or a complaint generally receives confirmation within 7 work days after the date of receipt.
  • If information or a complaint was not submitted anonymously, the individual providing the information will be contacted.
  • This action will be documented.

Confidentiality of one's identity:

  • Individuals providing information may remain entirely anonymous. Should the individual providing the information disclose their identity, the confidentiality and protection of their personal data is in any event ensured.

Report evaluation:

  • A suitable office will review the information or complaints.
  • Subsequently, the information or complaint will be passed on to the responsible internal office for further processing.

Clarifying the facts, finding a solution and if necessary, remedial measures:

  • The next step is to clarify the facts.
  • If it is determined in the course of clarifying the facts that a violation of human rights and/or environmental obligations has occurred, is currently ongoing or imminent, remedial measures will be immediately initiated, implemented and subsequently evaluated for their effectiveness.

Protection from discrimination or reprisals due to a complaint:

The protection of individuals who provide information from discrimination or reprisals on account of submitting complaints or information is an important part of our complaints procedure. This is ensured by the following measures:

  • The processing is only carried out by a small group of selected and specially trained employees.
  • All information that would allow for conclusions to be drawn about the identity of the individual providing information will be handled confidentially.
  • After the expiration of the statutory retention period and documentation, the data will be deleted and the documents destroyed.