The Whistleblower Protection Act grants individuals who intend to submit a report the right to choose whether to contact an internal reporting office within the company or an external reporting office at the federal or state level.

The Whistleblower Protection Act also stipulates that reports should preferably be made to an internal office if the violation can be effectively addressed through it, and whistleblowers have no reason to fear reprisals (§ 7 (1) HinSchG).

We actively pursue all relevant reports received through our internal reporting office and are fully committed to protecting all whistleblowers from reprisals.

External federal reporting offices are currently established at:

• the Federal Office of Justice,
• the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, and
• the Federal Cartel Office.

All information regarding the responsibilities and contact details of external reporting offices can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Justice:

External Reporting Office of the Federal Government at the Federal Office of Justice