Human rights due diligence

Operating on a global scale, we fulfill our corporate responsibility toward society as a whole. Socially responsible, ethical, and environmentally friendly practices are firmly anchored in our corporate culture and require us to uphold conduct that complies with rules and regulations.

Our responsibility

As an active member of national and European associations, Richard Wolf is a neutral discussion partner and participates transparently in policymaking processes. We do this using reliable facts and in cooperation with governments, associations, and other stakeholders in the healthcare industry. Our interactions with employees and stakeholders around the globe are based on sustainability, transparency, respect, fairness, and integrity.

Richard Wolf is aware of the importance of due diligence obligations and is committed to fulfilling these in all its business activities. Our policy statement defines the values and guidelines followed by the company.

We reject any form of abuse or discrimination and are committed to maintaining an environment based on the principles of fairness, openness, and respect. In doing so, Richard Wolf complies with the legal and regulatory obligations of our country and takes its responsibility toward all employees, business partners, customers, suppliers, and the public very seriously.

Our company endeavors to act in an ethical manner. Our conduct is characterized by integrity, responsibility, and respect toward others. We undertake to uphold these principles in our day-to-day business activities and encourage our employees to maintain the same standards.

Richard Wolf works with various business partners and suppliers who are obligated to comply with our standards. These standards are firmly anchored in our Guidelines for Business Partners. The questionnaire we have created and which is completed voluntarily by our business partners and suppliers enables us to obtain all relevant information regarding due diligence obligations. This helps us ensure that all business partners and suppliers comply with the same rules and that all business relationships are built on integrity and fairness.

We are aware that due diligence obligations play a central role in our company, and we will continue our commitment to upholding these rules and standards and constantly improving them. In doing so, we intend to ensure that we fulfill our obligations toward all our stakeholders.

Richard Wolf ensures that it collects all relevant information that could help to identify and assess risks.

A risk analysis is created by identifying and prioritizing risks. This analysis, performed in order to determine and assess risks, is then used to identify actual or potential impacts on the value chain.

Based on this, an action plan is generated to define the measures that will be taken in order to solve any problems.

Richard Wolf takes a number of measures to remedy problems or prevent them from occurring in the first place. Decisions regarding the measures to be taken are based on the risk analysis performed beforehand.

Before preventive or remedial measures are carried out, risks are identified and assurances are made that all the necessary factors are present to enable the measures to be implemented successfully.

Once the agreed measures have been put in place, an effectiveness check is carried out to monitor their success. To review the possible impacts on human rights, appropriate qualitative and quantitative indicators as well as internal and external sources are used to evaluate the measures.

Richard Wolf is committed to regularly supplying its stakeholders with transparent information on how it upholds its due diligence obligations. This includes providing reports on risks, compliance, and sustainability.

Such action ensures that the company fulfills its obligations and acts responsibly.

Reporting comprises many aspects, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, monitoring risk management, monitoring compliance procedures, and measures to remedy or prevent potential problems and weaknesses.

As of 2024, Richard Wolf will be publishing a report on its compliance with due diligence obligations in accordance with the German Supply Chain Act. These annual reports will be available to view on our website for seven years.

The whistleblower system in place at Richard Wolf makes it possible for employees and third parties to submit reports and for Richard Wolf to process them as appropriate. It operates in accordance with the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence to Prevent Human Rights Violations in Supply Chains (LkSG) and the German Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG).

Any information about suspected or actual violations of human rights or laws governing environmental protection in the supply chain, and information about violations to which the HinSchG can be applied, is systematically recorded, analyzed, and documented with a view to complying with legal requirements and internal corporate regulations.

Richard Wolf’s rules of procedure outline the reporting channels, how the process works, which responsibilities apply, and the protection in place for whistleblowers.

Whistleblowing information and complaints can be submitted at the following points of contact: