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 and governance form the basis for all actions within the Group, guaranteeing compliance with existing legal provisions, monitoring and preparation of upcoming regulations on human and environmental rights.

Standards and regulations include among others:

• 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 Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and EU-Taxonomy

   

• EU Conflict Mineral Regulation
  
  
• EU Battery Regulation
   
  
• Corporate Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) 

The complexity of the automotive industry's international operations increases the risk of human rights abuses and environmental damage in global, multi-stage supply chains, as well as in the extraction and use of critical raw materials, such as metals, cobalt, and lithium. Based on the above-outlined standards and regulations, particularly the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, the Group takes actions and performs due diligence to safeguard human and environmental rights.  For example, Webasto requires its global suppliers to commit to its standards by signing the Webasto Supplier Code of Conduct, which broadly addresses human rights. The Social and Environmental Principles Policy specifies responsibilities. Additionally, Webasto runs a comprehensive sustainability program that considers human rights material.