Whistleblower System of the Volkswagen Group
Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business partners, has top priority at Volkswagen Group Italia. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet this standard, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. Therefore, we entrusted the Central Investigation Office of Volkswagen AG to operate an independent, impartial and confidential Whistleblower System on our behalf.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.
This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Volkswagen Group Italia will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.
How do we process your report?
The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by a Volkswagen Group employee thoroughly and
follow it up systematically. First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay.
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and
indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office - as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
Find more information on the procedural principles of the Volkswagen Group Complaints Procedure
here.
* The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure.
Do you have any concern or feedback regarding a Volkswagen Group product or service?
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding your new or old vehicle, feedback or complaints about services provided by the Volkswagen Group or our business partners (e.g. car dealerships, workshops), please contact the Customer Care as described in the brand websites.
We kindly ask for your understanding that the whistleblower system unfortunately cannot accept, process and, in particular, forward customer complaints or concerns.
Making a report to our Whistleblower System
The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee and supplier misconduct that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary. Reports can be made 24/7 in every language.
However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.
ONLINE REPORTING CHANNELYou have the option of using an internet-based communication platform
BKMS to contact the Investigation Office in many languages. This system is confidential and technically secured.
Even if your preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, you can use any language to submit you report. You can also contact the Central Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail.
E-MAILYou can get in contact with the Investigation Office of the Volkswagen Group via e-mail:
io@volkswagen.de 24/7 HOTLINEYou can make a report at any time using the international toll-free number:
+800 444 46300
If your local telephone provider does not support the toll-free service, you can call the following chargeable number:
+49 5361 946300 POSTAL ADDRESS AND IN PERSONPostal address:Central Investigation Office
Box 1717, 38436 Wolfsburg (downtown)
Germany
In person:Central Investigation Office
Porschestraße 1, 38440 Wolfsburg (downtown)
Germany
Please make an appointment in advance by writing an e-mail to:
io@volkswagen.de OMBUDSPERSONS IN THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUPThe Volkswagen Group has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. They advise on the Whistleblower System or ensure that reports from whistleblowers are forwarded anonymously to the Investigation Office if desired.
INDEPENDENT BODY OF VOLKSWAGEN GROUP ITALIAIn Volkswagen Group Italia the report of a violation of the Code of Conduct’s principles and values can be submitted also to the Independent Body (Organismo di Vigilanza) established by the Company pursuant to the requirements of the Legislative Decree 231/2001. The Independent Body ensures that the whistleblower is protected by any kind of repercussion.
The Independent Body can be contacted:
• via e-mail
odv@volkswagengroup.it• via postal address: Organismo di Vigilanza di Volkswagen Group Italia Spa- Via Gumpert n. 1 – 37137 – Verona
• or via the anonymous e-mail
odv-anonymous@volkswagengroup.it, which is available for whistleblowers who prefer to stay anonymous and which is accessible only to external members of the Independent Body.
Declaration of data protection
Do you have further questions or do you need a local contact?
Please direct questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System to the Investigation Office.
How do I make a report?
It is important to make sure the information contained in the report is as concrete as possible so that it can be processed and investigated in an appropriate manner.
It is helpful if the report covers the following five questions: Who? What? When? How? Where?
Please make sure that the descriptions contained in your report can be easily understood by persons who are not specialists in your field. It would be helpful if you are available to answer further questions. If you would be willing to do so, but wish to remain anonymous to the company, please contact the ombudspersons or use the Online Reporting Channel to make your report.
For any information or questions regarding the processing of personal data, you can also contact the local DPO at the following e-mail address
privacy@volkswagengroup.it.
For more information on the Volkswagen Group’s Whistleblower System, please visit
Whistleblower System (volkswagenag.com)