Whistleblower System/Hinweisgebersystem

Whistleblower System

Find more information on the procedural principles of our Whistleblower System here.

Weitere Informationen zu unserer Verfahrensordnung für den Beschwerdemechanismus sind hier verfügbar.

General Information

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 CARIAD. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, 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 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 CARIAD 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.

Find more information on the procedural principles of our Whistleblower System here.

 

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.

The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure.

Report to our Whistleblower System

The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct or potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers in our Supply Chain, that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary. 

However this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.

24/7 Hotline

You can make a report 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.

*Depending on the country you are calling from it is possible that the international toll-free hotline is not available since some telephone network providers do not support the service. If so, please use the offered chargeable number or your country specific number.

Brazil
  • 0800-5912743 (Toll Free Number)
  • 021-23911381 (Local Number)
Mexico
  • 001-800-4610242 (Toll Free Number)
  • 0155-71000355 (Local Number)
Slovak Republic
  • 0800-002576 (Toll Free Number)
  • 02-33325602 (Local Number)
USA
  • 833-6571574 (Toll Free Number)
  • 908-2198092 (Local Number)
South Africa
  • 0800-99483 (Toll Free Number)
  • 021-1003533 (Local Number)
Malaysia
  • 1-800-819523 (Toll Free Number)
  • 0154-600099 (Local Number)
Argentina
  • 0800-6662992 (Toll Free Number)
  • 011-52528632 (Local Number)
Germany
  • 0800 444 46300  (Toll Free Number)
  • 05361-946300 (Local Number)

Online Reporting Channel

You have the option of using a web-based communication platform BKMS to contact the Investigation Office in many languages. This system is confidential and technically secured. Whistleblowers can decide for themselves whether they wish to give their names.

Even if your preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, you can use any language to submit your report. You can also contact the Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail.

Ombudspersons

E-Mail & Contact

E-Mail and in person/postal contact of the Central Investigation Office:

E-Mail:

Postal address & in person:

Postal address:

Volkswagen AG, Central Investigation Office

Mailbox 1717

Berliner Ring 2

38436 Wolfsburg, Germany

 

In person:

Please make an appointment in advance by writing an E-mail to io@volkswagen.de.

External Reporting Channel of Germany

The German government has defined a designated authority, that also accepts reports on misconduct as external reporting channel. The external reporting channel is the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) (BfJ - Hinweisgeberstelle (bundesjustizamt.de).

Further questions/need a local contact?

Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System can also be addressed to the Investigation Office.

If you have been interviewed in terms of an investigation, you have the possibility to give feedback to the Ombudsperson as independent body.

Furthermore, our local Chief Compliance Officer ​can also be addressed in all matters of the Whistleblower System via whistleblowing@cariad.technology​. 

CARIAD ESTONIA’s Whistleblower System