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Preamble

As an independent and owner-managed market and employee research institute, (r)evolution GmbH has a special responsibility towards our customers, partners, employees, and society. Integrity, transparency, and sustainability are core values for us—not only in our research, but also in our cooperation with our suppliers and service providers.

With this Supplier Code of Conduct, we define binding expectations for our business partners with regard to ethical behavior, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. We expect all suppliers to comply with our standards and actively contribute to fair, safe, and legally compliant working and business conditions, and to share our commitment to human rights, environmental protection, and integrity.

This Code of Conduct is part of our sustainability management system and a central component in ensuring trusting, transparent, and future-oriented cooperation along the entire supply chain.

The Code of Conduct is based on national laws and regulations such as the the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG), as well as international agreements such as the two UN Human Rights Covenants ICCPR and ICESCR, the Guidelines on Children’s Rights and Business, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the international labor standards of the International Labor Organization, and the United Nations Global Compact.

For future cooperation, the contracting parties agree to the validity of the following provisions for a joint code of conduct. This agreement serves as the basis for cooperation. The contracting parties undertake to comply with the principles and requirements of the code of conduct and to support each other in doing so. The business partner undertakes to present this Code of Conduct to its subcontractors and to endeavor to contractually oblige them to comply with the standards and regulations set out herein. This agreement shall enter into force upon signature. Any violation of this Code of Conduct may ultimately constitute grounds and cause for us to terminate the business relationship, including all associated supply contracts.

Our commitment

We see our service providers as key partners in implementing our corporate and sustainability strategy. For us, long-term successful and responsible cooperation is based on mutual trust, transparency, and shared values. We strive for fair, respectful, and stable business relationships that contribute to positive social and environmental developments.

Specifically, we are committed to:

  • Fair and cooperative partnership:We strive for open, constructive, and respectful communication with our service providers. We treat our partners as equals, with appreciation and understanding for their challenges and perspectives.
  • Reliability and transparency: We act in a clear, comprehensible and binding manner. Contracts, service descriptions and expectations are communicated transparently and at an early stage. Decisions that have an impact on the business relationship are openly justified.
  • Responsible procurement: When selecting and working with service providers, we consider not only economic criteria but also ecological and social aspects. Service providers who actively implement sustainable practices are our preferred partners.
  • Confidentiality and data protection: We protect our service providers’ sensitive information just as we protect our own and act in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
  • Punctual payment: We recognize the economic importance of fair payment terms. We therefore pay agreed remuneration on time and without undue delay.
  • Promotion of joint development: We are open to dialogue on improvements in quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Where appropriate and possible, we support our service providers in further developing their social, environmental, and ethical standards.
  • Integrity in our dealings: We do not tolerate unfair business practices and require our employees to act lawfully and with integrity at all times when dealing with business partners.

Obligations of service providers

Our service providers play a central role in the quality and integrity of our services. We therefore expect all partner companies to adhere to the highest standards of ethics, human rights, working conditions, environmental responsibility, and legal compliance in their actions. The following principles are binding for all current and future business relationships.
Business ethics and integrity

  • Business activities must be based on legally and ethically sound conduct.
  • Unfair business practices—such as corruption, bribery, extortion, fraud, price fixing, violations of competition law, or insider trading—are strictly prohibited.
  • Business decisions must be made free from undue influence or conflicts of interest.
  • Confidential information must be protected and may only be used for the intended purpose and in accordance with data protection law (in particular the GDPR) and individual contractual provisions (in particular AV, NDA).

 

Respect for human rights

  • The service providers fully recognize internationally recognized human rights (in particular the UN Charter of Human Rights, ILO Core Labor Standards, UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights).
  • Any form of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or abuse of employees is prohibited.
  • Discrimination-free access to employment, training, and opportunities for advancement must be guaranteed, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or political beliefs.

 

Labor standards and fair employment conditions

  • Wages, working hours, and social benefits must at least meet legal or collective bargaining requirements.
  • Forced labor, debt bondage, or other forms of involuntary labor are strictly prohibited.
  • Child labor is prohibited in all forms. At least the minimum age required by law in the respective countries, based on ILO standards, must be observed.
  • Health and safety must be actively ensured. The working environment should be safe, hygienic, and conducive to good health.

 

Environmental and climate protection

  • The service provider undertakes to use natural resources responsibly.
  • Negative environmental impacts must be avoided or minimized, particularly in the areas of energy, emissions, water consumption, waste, and chemicals.
  • Environmental laws, local regulations, and international environmental standards must be complied with.
  • The use of environmental management systems (e.g., EMAS, ISO 14001) or comparable instruments is welcomed.
  • Climate protection measures (such as CO₂ reduction, environmentally friendly mobility, sustainable procurement) should be actively promoted.

 

Legal compliance, compliance, and prevention of corruption

  • All applicable national and international laws and regulations must be complied with without restriction.
  • Internal processes and training should be in place to identify and prevent violations of rules at an early stage.
  • Bribery, granting of advantages, or inappropriate gifts/benefits to our employees or third parties are prohibited.
  • Whistleblowing systems or comparable mechanisms for reporting misconduct must be in place or created.

 

Responsibility for subcontractors

  • The service provider undertakes to ensure that subcontractors also comply with this Code or equivalent standards when selecting and managing subcontractors.
  • The client may request that subcontractors be disclosed.
  • The responsibility for the actions of subcontractors remains with the main service provider. A risk-based audit mechanism is expected.