Anticorruptionsystem

With the introduction of a professional anti-corruption system, Cologne-based REWE Group clearly demonstrates its willingness to combat the ever increasing white-collar crime. "As one of the leading European trading and tourism companies we not only implement the German Corporate Governance Codex and the provisions contained in the German Stock Company Act by introducing this system but send out in addition a clear signal to all of our employees, business partners and customers in Germany and abroad", said REWE Group CEO, Alain Caparros.

Important components of the new anti-corruption system of REWE Group are an internal Code of Behaviour for all senior company leaders as well as the appointment of an Anti-Corruption Commissioner. A core external element constitutes the nomination of an ombudsman. REWE Group has entrusted Dr. Rainer Buchert with this position. In his function as a lawyer practicing in Frankfurt/Main, Buchert has gained reputation in the counselling of companies on the prevention of white-collar crime with a focus on the fight on corruption as well as in serving as ombudsman for major enterprises such as Deutsche Bahn AG, Volkswagen AG or o2 Germany. Before, he was senior officer of the Federal Office of Criminal Investigation, BKA, in Wiesbaden, head of the criminal investigation department of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt and chief constable of the city and district of Offenbach in the federal state of Hesse.

In this function, Dr. Rainer Buchert is the contact point for confidential information on corruption or other criminal scheming concerning the company. The protection of the informants against disadvantages such as reprisals is always guaranteed by the system. Besides, this confidentiality is provided for yet by the obligation of secrecy of lawyers, contractual obligations and the right of lawyers to refuse to give evidence. The ombudsman is the contact person for informants from the company, business partners and customers. He will provide the anti-corruption commissioner of REWE Group only with information, which has been released accordingly. The identity of an informant will in general not be revealed.

"The ombudsman is not a contact for general complaints, expressions of displeasure, accusations of bullying or acts of grousing. However, we will consequently look into all information on clashes of interests, infringements of guidelines, suspicious circumstances, procedures, persons and companies, and we will on principle report every initial suspicion we have to the police", said the CEO of REWE Group.

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