Code of Conduct

Lasting success requires a solid foundation. To build it, we need a culture that respects its employees, customers, society, and the environment, and strives to understand their needs and address their concerns. A healthy corporate culture can only be achieved as a team, fuelled by our individual perspectives, regardless of our job title. It is up to us to embrace and uphold these values.

We provide high-quality products and services that exceed expectations by understanding and anticipating our customers' needs. Customer experience is the driving force behind our business decisions. Customers don’t need us, we need them. By putting them at the centre of everything we do, we develop solutions that turn customers into lifelong fans. It's all about earning their trust.

Everyone is responsible for their words, actions, and results. We have the authority and accountability to make decisions and trust each other to take ownership. We welcome challenges as opportunities to excel and enjoy making bold decisions with conviction and strong commitment. We are not afraid of making mistakes because we understand that they are part of the learning process. We ensure we always have all the information and data we need to back our decisions and take responsibility for our work. We lead by example. No matter the job title, we guide and inspire through our behaviour, encouraging others to do the same.

We can only achieve extraordinary things when we work together as a team towards a common goal/purpose. We are committed to breaking down silos, honouring our commitments, and building trust through responsible actions and honest relationships. We thrive when we recognise each other’s needs, strengths, and positive contributions, helping and supporting each other towards a common goal.

We strive to create a culture in which everyone can feel safe and supported. We promote the value of diversity and individual differences to create an open, respectful and inclusive workplace, both locally and globally. Diverse perspectives make us stronger. We treat each other with respect. We do not accept discrimination or harassment. We treat and value everyone as individuals with unique talents, needs, and challenges, to create an environment where people feel they belong. Everyone has the same rights and opportunities regardless of age, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

At AUTODOC, we’re convinced that our success is due to our employees. That’s why it’s so important for us to create a safe, healthy, and positive working environment where all our colleagues can feel at ease and flourish. This also includes a workplace that complies with all relevant occupational health and safety regulations. We are an employer who wants to provide not only a positive working environment but also room for personal growth. That means that we encourage diversity and make sure that the rights of each individual are respected.

• We treat each other fairly and with respect, regardless of where the other person comes from, how old or young they are, what they believe in, what gender they are, or who they love.
• We integrate people with disabilities and make sure that all colleagues can feel like equal members of the AUTODOC team.

As an international company, we benefit enormously from the diversity and wealth of experiences our employees bring with them. That is why we foster diversity and respect cultural differences.

We deal with disputes and differences of opinion respectfully.

• Professional and ethical behaviour
• Adherence to the principles set out in this Code of Conduct
• Reporting violations of the principles of the Code of Conduct via the channels defined in this document

• Acting as a role model and ambassador for the Code of Conduct
• Instructing and guiding employees in compliance with the Code of Conduct
• Consulting the local human resources manager or the Compliance Office Berlin in the event of possible violations of the Code of Conduct.

The property of AUTODOC and our business partners may not be used for personal benefit or the personal benefit of third parties.

• Warehouse stock – for example, car and motorcycle parts and accessories
• Land and real estate and the associated equipment
• Vehicles
• Daily working materials, such as tools and technical equipment of all kinds
• Computers, laptops, IT systems, telephones
• Information and financial resources
• Intellectual property and trademarks

The private use of company property is only permitted according to the relevant individual or company regulations and/or company practice. This also applies to know-how and knowledge of confidential information that may not be disclosed without prior review and authorisation. Our employees and our business partners are obliged to maintain confidentiality. Information about and from AUTODOC may only be communicated to authorised external and internal recipients.

Every employee is obligated to disclose situations in which their interests and the interests of the company conflict. We act in the best interests of AUTODOC and uphold the company’s reputation. Personal connections or private interests must not influence business activities or decision-making. Employees should directly inform their supervisor about any circumstances outside the business environment that could influence their business decisions. If employees have any questions or doubts about whether a conflict of interest exists or may arise, they should consult their local People Operations contact and the Compliance Office in Berlin.

AUTODOC promotes a culture of transparency where concerns can be raised freely and confidently without fear of negative consequences. Our customers, business partners, and employees can rely on us to do what we say and say what we do. We keep our promises and are committed to transparency and open dialogue. This is especially true when different opinions and interests need to be weighed and reconciled.

The use of social media is an important element of our success. We therefore attach great importance to open, honest, and fair communication. These principles also apply to our employees, who know that AUTODOC does not tolerate discrimination, insults, or harassment on social networks. We also do not share confidential data or personal data via social networks. We clearly distance ourselves from political extremism. For our online marketing, we have developed strict guidelines that determine in which environments our advertising can and cannot appear. Violations of these guidelines, such as the placement of advertising on extremist websites, will not be tolerated by the company management.

AUTODOC is firmly committed to human rights and ensures that social standards are defined and adhered to. Our aim is to provide every employee with a safe, healthy and non-discriminatory work environment where everyone is free to develop and grow together. In addition, we regularly assess our suppliers and business partners and only source our products from qualified (approved) partners who are committed to respecting human rights and social standards.
AUTODOC acknowledges that certain rights face greater risks due to the specific characteristics of AUTODOC’s operations in retail, the automotive industry, and logistics. To manage the risks related to human rights and the environment, we developed a comprehensive risk management system, that includes risk identification, analysis and assessment, implementation of risk-appropriate preventative, remedial, and mitigating measures as well as risk monitoring and reporting which enables us to review and adapt our human rights strategy annually.

AUTODOC also integrates the interests of future generations into its decision-making. This means: The protection of our environment and the responsible use of natural resources are top priorities for us. We are committed to implementing due diligence practices based on environmental risks regarding both our business area and our supply chain. We do business with efficiency and align our corporate decisions with our sustainability strategy taking into consideration the type and risk factors of the business activity and their potential impact on the environment.

Everyone is responsible for their behavior. The Management Board and Executive Leadership Team are obligated to create the necessary environment for compliance with the applicable laws and regulations and to maintain appropriate and effective control mechanisms. Each employee as well as each of our business partners is responsible for acting within the relevant laws, guidelines, and this Code of Conduct in the performance of their tasks. Managers are obliged to guide their employees and act as role models for their teams. When implementing the Code of Conduct rules, the business units in other countries must also respect the relevant national laws and the culture of the country.

• the Data Protection Policy,
• the Export Compliance Policy,
• the Anti-Corruption Policy,
• the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Policy, and
• the Antitrust Policy.

We also provide training in these and other crucial areas at regular intervals. Further instructions and standard operating procedures are available in the respective departments. These can be found in AUTODOC’s intranet or requested from the manager in charge.

• Is my decision based on my good judgment, common sense, and our corporate values? 
• Am I acting in the best interests of AUTODOC? 
• Does my decision comply with legal and regulatory requirements as well as internal rules and regulations?
• Are the work processes safe and do they pose any danger to people or the environment? 
• Is AUTODOC‘s reputation being protected? 

If you’re unsure of the answer to any of these questions, you should consult your manager, the relevant departments, or the Compliance Office Berlin for support.

Being a reliable and trustworthy partner for suppliers, customers, employees and shareholders as well as avoiding risks that could harm our company are key to our success. AUTODOC therefore offers employees and third parties the opportunity to report potential violations of laws, policies, or concerns about AUTODOC’s human rights practices. Whistleblowers are protected, so that they do not have to fear negative consequences and/or retaliation. All reports and information are kept confidential according to legal requirements.

All reports are checked thoroughly, suspicious cases are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary.

Please provide information about possible violations through the following channels:

1. via TELL-ME, our anonymous whistleblowing platform
2. In-person by contacting:
   • Compliance Ambassador for Poland and Czechia Joanna Boj
   • Compliance Ambassador for Moldova Maria Petrova
   • Compliance Ambassador for Ukraine and Kazakhstan Oleksandr Tselevych
   • Corporate Compliance Team for all other locations.
3. By mail:
   • AUTODOC SE
     Personal/confidential
     VP Compliance
     Kurfürstendamm 22
     D-10719 Berlin

Violations of the Code, company policies and the law will not be tolerated and will be appropriately sanctioned. Every suspicious report will be thoroughly investigated. Each of us is obliged to know the relevant legal provisions and should help to ensure that other employees and/or colleagues also know and comply with them. Everyone in a leadership role is obliged to set a good example. AUTODOC employees can trust AUTODOC to respond appropriately to violations of internal policies, this Code of Conduct, or the law.

This Code of Conduct enters into force the day it is signed by the Chief Executive Officer of AUTODOC and applies to all AUTODOC employees. It can be amended, supplemented, or revoked at any time without notice.