Standards of Business Conduct

Principles guiding our actions

We have formulated the cornerstones of good corporate management in our “Standards of Business Conduct”. To ensure the conformity of these standards with actual business activity is the task of each individual manager and employee.

With the “Standards of Business Conduct”, Daimler has created a frame of reference as guidance for rule-conformant conduct. Group Compliance manages the Integrity Code and the Code of Ethics and is responsible for the corruption prevention guidelines.

Integrity Code

In addition to compliance with the legal regulations, Daimler’s principles of ethical business conduct are anchored in its Integrity Code, which is based on the company’s core values. In addition to rules for general conduct, the Integrity Code also defines requirements on conduct in international business, handling conflicts of interest, equality issues, combating corruption, the role of internal monitoring systems, and the requirement to fulfil legal standards and other internal and external regulations.

The “Principles of Social Responsibility” are anchored in the Integrity Code. They are binding for the entire Group and thus have worldwide validity. Daimler is committed to the principles of the UN Global Compact and to the international recognition of human and employee rights, such as condemnation of child and forced labor as well as the support of freedom of coalition, and promotes the principles of equal opportunity and “equal pay for equal work”.

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics, which was approved in July 2003, extends the provisions of the Integrity Code to specifically address Board members and managers who exercise significant influence on planning and reporting in the context of annual and quarterly financial statements. The provisions of the code aim to prevent irregular conduct and to promote not only ethical conduct but also the complete, appropriate, accurate, timely and understandable reporting of corporate information.

Group Compliance Rules

The GC Rules implement the compliance-relevant principles of the Integrity Code into concrete regulations for action and service as an important tool for guidance in complex business operations.

In addition, further guidelines at Daimler apply to specific areas and topics but are not the responsibility of the department Group Compliance.