Values and Guidelines

Basic value

For over 150 years we have been developing economic solutions and innovations on an excellent level. Skills and a practised corporate culture make us a strong and reliable partner.

Trust, dignity, conscientiousness and social cooperation: employees of the TÜV NORD GROUP adhere to these four fundamental values of business ethics in their dealings with one another, with their partners and clients. All of their actions and thinking is based on the underlying values of in-dependence, responsibility and integrity.

With their skills and commitment, every employee makes a sustainable contribution to the success of the TÜV NORD GROUP and its clients. The orientation on the four fundamental values guarantees an increased feeling of security for ourselves and our clients and partners: we gain trust through competent, reliable and appropriate actions. Our respectful treatment of ethical convictions helps us to meet our responsibility for people, the environment and technology. The appreciation of each individual – also independently of their function – harmonises corporate goals and social togetherness. Our values determine the hallmarks of the TÜV brand.

Guiding principles

Our guidelines sustainably guarantee our worldwide corporate success. They are based on international guidelines and strengthen the credibility of the TÜV brand.

Our employees are characterized by a lively corporate culture and active identification with TÜV NORD GROUP. The guidelines shape our corporate culture and promote self-responsible, loyal thinking and acting towards each other and towards customers and partners. They are based, among other things, on the internationally recognised principles of the UN Global Compact, the UN Global Goals (Sustainable Development Goals) and the standards of the Global Responsibility Reporting Initiative.

Human rights, labor standards, corruption prevention, environmental protection and communication are thus given guidelines to which each individual can orient himself or herself: From family-conscious personnel management to transparent communication and environmental compatibility, our guidelines consistently translate our value system into principles that can be applied and experienced.

We protect people, the environment and property from risks.

TÜV NORD GROUP understands compliance as observance of all relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, standards and contractual obligations as well as voluntary commitments, including regulations the company has set for itself.

Competence and responsibility are important principles for the business success of TÜV NORD GROUP. TÜV NORD AG and its affiliates respect the law of the lands in which they do business and expect the same from their employees and business partners. Breaches of laws and ethics are not tolerated.

In order to avoid possible risks and avert damage to the TÜV NORD GROUP, the Board of Management has established a central compliance management system within TÜV NORD AG:

• This includes organisational structures and processes, associated reporting and corresponding controls.
• Extensive preventive measures to guard against the emergence of compliance risks (e.g. through criminal actions) and to recognise such risks as early as possible.
• The compliance organisation is transparent both inside and outside the organisation
• The Board of Management implements corporate compliance in all organisational units.

In addition to the internal staff who act as contacts for questions relating to compliance, TÜV NORD GROUP has also elected an Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is available to staff, clients, suppliers and other interested parties and can be contacted in connection with possible breaches of compliance; he is obliged to maintain client confidentiality as a member of the legal profession.

Corporate governance provides the framework for the management and supervision of TÜV NORD GROUP. Corporate governance within the TÜV NORD GROUP stands for responsible corporate management and control geared towards long-term value creation. It guarantees the correctness of all business processes and organisational structures within the Group. The basis for corporate governance is provided by the current requirements of the German Stock Corporation Act.

All key requirements for joint stock companies in Germany as specified by the German Act on Control and Transparency in Business (Contra) and embodied in the German Stock Corporation Act are fulfilled within the TÜV NORD GROUP:

• The Supervisory Board and Board of Management have established efficient external and internal control structures and processes.
• The Internal Control System (ICS) includes a risk management system and enables early identification and prevention of risks.
• The Group's Internal Auditing Department continuously monitors the effectiveness of the control processes and reports on this directly to the Board of Management on a regular basis.
• The compliance organisation, with a central point of contact for compliance issues, supports all employees in ensuring lawful and responsible actions.

Corporate governance in day-to-day business is supported by precise rules and instructions. All employees have permanent access to these rules and instructions via the intranet:

• Corporate guidelines of the TÜV NORD GROUP
• Code of conduct for all employees of the TÜV NORD GROUP in Germany and abroad
• Group Regulations
• Integrated management system, certified to ISO 9000
• The TÜV NORD GROUP has appointed an ombudsman