The ethical principles of the Frostkrone Food Group

1 Basic Conduct

1.1 Compliance with laws and internal guidelines
Laws and other legal and fiscal requirements as well as internal guidelines must be complied by the frostkrone companies in each country. Employees are obliged to know and observe legal regulations and internal guidelines relevant to their work.

1.2 Mutual appreciation

One of our most important values is appreciation for each individual, which goes far beyond their economic benefit to the company. We treat our employees and business partners with fairness and tolerance. Any discrimination, sexual harassment, or other personal attack on individuals by members of a frostkrone company is contrary to our corporate principles and will not be tolerated.

1.3 Reliability
Reliability, openness and honesty are virtues that we value and stand by; each individual employee bears responsibility for his or her behavior. We promise only what is feasible and thus remain credible.

1.4 Reputation of frostkrone
Every frostkrone employee represents our company to the outside world through his or her actions and behavior. Violations of legal regulations and our values can cause considerable damage to the reputation of frostkrone as well as our brands and must therefore be refrained from.

2 Dealing with business partners and third parties

2.1 Competition law and antitrust law
We are in competition with other companies on both the procurement and the sales markets. It is our conviction that this competition must be fought out by fair means within the framework of legal regulations and that we can prevail with our frostkrone-own strengths. Every employee is obliged to ensure that no illegal means are used to gain an advantage.

Prohibited are in particular:

• The exchange of information on prices, calculations, costs, margins, production performance or other competition-relevant content with competitors.

  • Agreements on the division of geographical areas, customers, or sources of supply, on the submission of bids, on the waiver of competition, on joint action against suppliers or customers or on other actions that hinder competition.

• Improper agreements to fix prices or exert pressure to influence resale prices to our customers.

  • Disclosure of information about customers/suppliers to other customers/suppliers.

2.2 Granting and accepting advantages
We expressly reject bribery as a means of obtaining anti-competitive advantages – therefore, the offering or granting of advantages by employees to public officials or business partners with the aim of obtaining orders or other advantages is not permitted. Likewise, no frostkrone employee is permitted to use his or her position in the company to demand or accept personal benefits. An employee must inform his superior immediately if he is confronted with demands for the granting of advantages or if he is offered such advantages by business partners or third parties. In principle, the granting or acceptance of occasional or courtesy gifts of symbolic value as well as reasonable invitations to meals or events is permissible. 

2.3 Expectations of suppliers and service providers
frostkrone as a company of integrity would like to cooperate with business partners of the same kind. We therefore expect our suppliers and service providers to comply with our values and applicable laws, to refrain from corruption, to observe human rights and labor laws including laws against child labor, to take precautions to protect the environment and to demand corresponding regulations in their own supply chain.

3 Dealings with employees and social partners

3.1 Anti-discrimination
We treat our employees with fairness and tolerance. We reject: Discrimination based on nationality, ethnic origin, skin colour, gender, religion, culture, appearance, disability, age, sexual orientation, political stance, membership in trade unions or in employee representatives. 

3.2 Working conditions
For us, appreciation for our employees also means providing workplaces that offer the highest level of safety. All employees are required to comply with safety precautions and to report safety deficiencies and possible accident hazards to their respective supervisors so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
Employees receive appropriate compensation. The legal requirements regarding working hours and vacation entitlement are observed. Child labor and any form of forced or compulsory labor are not tolerated.

3.3 Leadership culture
For us, leadership is synonymous with the assuming responsibility for the employees entrusted to us. Every manager must earn the recognition of their employees through exemplary behaviour, performance, openness and social competence. Their responsibility also includes supporting employees in their development through challenging tasks and appropriate training. 

4 Conflicts of interest

In the sense of both goal- and result-oriented action, business decisions are always to be made primarily in the interest of frostkrone to the best of our knowledge and belief, taking into account the legitimate interests of our customers and business partners. The pursuit of an employee´s own interests to the detriment of frostkrone is not permissible. Therefore, every employee is obliged to disclose possible conflicts of interest to his superior or another person of trust.

5 Handling company property and information

5.1 Protection of company property
frostkrone provides its employees with machines/equipment, IT, office and communication equipment and much more to perform their work. This company property is to be used properly, responsibly, carefully and cost-consciously by the employees. 

5.2 Confidentiality of information
Information about frostkrone or business partners must be treated confidentially and must not be disclosed to unauthorized third parties. This confidentiality applies beyond the termination of the employment relationship. The use of confidential information for own advantage is not permitted. Personal data must be handled responsibly by the relevant employees in compliance with the statutory regulations.

5.3 Transparent processes and truthful reporting
Processes at frostkrone shall have the greatest possible transparency, in order to ensure the best possible controllability and verifiability and to make results traceable. All books, records and reports to be kept are true and complete and comply with the rules and standards applicable to them.

6 Sustainable management

For us, sustainable business means responsible and long-term interaction with consumers, customers, suppliers, employees and investors. As a manufacturer of foodstuffs, frostkrone attaches particular importance to the protection of the environment and nature, both for us and for future generations. All employees are required to act in a quality and consumer-oriented manner and to protect the environment through efficient use of resources, waste avoidance and recycling.

7 Complaints and notes

frostkrone has appointed two confidants to whom victims and observers of violence, bullying or harassment can report. Contact is possible in person or anonymously via vertrauen@frostkrone.de. In any case, the matter will be treated confidetially. In the production break rooms, there are also grievance/feedback boxes where employees can post their concerns. The boxes are emptied monthly. 

Additionally, frostkrone has another reporting system. Biehn & Professionals GmbH is available to you as a reporting centre. Complaints and information can be submitted online at https://frostkrone.hinweisgeber-biehn.de/ . This also applies to information about any need to adapt the rules of conduct themselves. Confidential treatment is assured for all tips, questions and complaints. If desired, the hints and complaints will be received anonymously and/or treated as anonymous. 

frostkrone also strives for a distinctive feedback culture in which every employee should be able to speak his or her mind openly and honestly without fear of reprisals. 

Written comments can also be submitted by any employee in his or her native language. 

Except for any connection costs, contacting the reporting office is free of charge for the whistleblower. 
 

8 Consequences of violations 

The code of conduct is binding for all employees of frostkrone. Violations against them will be punished regardless of the position of the person concernd in the company after conscientious examination and in accordance with the regulations of the respective country and location.

Rietberg/Germany, August 2024