Human 
rights

As one of the 100 largest automotive suppliers, the Webasto Group respects, protects and promotes human and environmental rights worldwide, both in its own business and at its direct suppliers. As the company considers human and environmental rights to be fundamental rights, it also works towards ensuring that its indirect suppliers comply with them.  

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 serves as the basis for our position. We are committed to protecting civil and political rights, such as the right to life, the right to freedom from torture and the right to freedom of expression, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, such as the right to work, education and health – for all people, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other status.

As environmental damage has both direct and indirect negative consequences on the effective fulfillment of all human rights, we recognize the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a separate human right.

Accordingly, we promote sustainable development and environmental protection to minimize the impact of climate change on deprivation of liberty, insecurity, etc., as well as that of air, soil and water pollution, unsustainable management, waste of natural resources and improper handling of chemicals and waste.

Principles of ethical behavior 

International standards supplemented by internal guidelines form the basis for all actions within the Group, guarantee compliance with legal provisions and, in some cases, ensure a level of protection of human and environmental rights that goes well beyond this.

These standards include in particular the

• International Bill of Human Rights, consisting of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), 
  
  
• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 
  
  
• the ILO Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) and ILO Standard 169, and 
  
  
• Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as well as 
  
  

• German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (SCDDA, LkSG), which came into force in 2023 and obliges Webasto as a globally active automotive supplier to respect the dignity and rights of people affected by the activities of its employees and direct suppliers
   

• Corporate Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) 
   

• Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
   

• EU-Taxonomy
  
  
• EU Conflict Mineral Regulation

Due to the complexity of the industry's international operations, we see increased risks of human rights abuses and environmental damage in global, multi-stage supply chains and in the extraction and use of critical raw materials such as metals, cobalt and lithium. Based on the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act Group-wide actions to safeguard human rights at Webasto and its activities go hand in hand with respect for environmental rights.