To meet these standards, it is important to learn about and prevent potential misconduct by employees, suppliers, business partners or other third parties with a relationship to RIO. In order to ensure these values and to avoid or minimize potential risks due to breaches of the rules, it is crucial that any breaches of the rules are identified, clarified and remedied internally at an early stage.
Our whistleblower channels
Our whistleblower system provides various channels for reporting potential breaches of rules by employees or business partners to enable a rapid investigation and - if necessary - a response from our company. However, this does not restrict the legally protected right to contact the relevant authorities. More detailed information on the process is described at the bottom of the page.
Speak up! The 24/7 TRATON online whistleblower portal
The online whistleblower portal Speak up! is available to employees and external parties around the world and around the clock in twelve languages for reporting potential breaches of rules in the area of white-collar crime, for example in relation to corruption, antitrust law or data protection issues or with regard to a violation of human rights and other potential serious breaches of rules.
Whistleblowers can register with Speak up! using their real name or anonymously with a pseudonym of their choice. Investigations are conducted with the utmost confidentiality.
If your preferred language is not listed, a report can also be made in any other language. In addition, you can also contact the TRATON Investigation Office in any language by e-mail or mail (contact details below).
Speak up! can be accessed from any Internet-enabled PC at the online address https://www.bkms-system.net/TRATON.
Our whistleblower portal is operated by a third party who hosts the portal on external, certified servers (located in Germany) and enables whistleblowers to submit tips to us on an anonymous, non-traceable basis.
Direct contact with the TRATON Investigation Office (by mail or e-mail)
The TRATON Investigation Office can be contacted directly by internal and external whistleblowers as a central point of contact. The colleagues in the TRATON Investigation Office are experienced lawyers who are responsible for processing tips throughout the Group while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality.
TRATON SE
Investigation Office
Hanauer Straße 26
80992 Munich
Germany
E-Mail: investigation-office@traton.com
24/7 Volkswagen whistleblower hotline (telephone)
In addition, potential breaches of the rules can also be reported via Volkswagen AG's telephone whistleblower hotline. The hotline is available around the clock and accepts tips - anonymously if desired - about all Volkswagen Group brands. All RIO-related information received via the hotline is forwarded directly to the TRATON Investigation Office.
How to reach the whistleblower hotline:
+ 800 444 46300* (international toll-free number)
+ 49 5361 946300 (toll number if your local phone provider does not support the toll-free service)
* In some countries, not all phone providers support the toll-free international hotline. In this case, please use the chargeable phone number or the country-specific phone number.
| Countries | Toll free phone number | Local phone number |
| Brazil | 0800-5912743 | 021-23911381 |
| Mexico | 001-800-4610242 | 0155-71000355 |
| Slovak republic | 0800-002576 | 02-33325602 |
| USA | 833-6571574 | 908-2198092 |
| South Africa | 0800-994983 | 021-1003533 |
| Malaysia | 1-800-819523 | 0154-600099 |
| Argentina | 0800-6662992 | 011-52528632 |
| Germany | 0800 444 46300 | 05361-946300 |
Ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group has appointed two external lawyers (ombudspersons) to help or ensure that tips are passed on to the TRATON Investigation Office - anonymously if desired.
All information on the ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group can be found here.
How do we process your message?
At TRATON, potential violations of rules can be reported by employees, business partners, customers or other third parties through various channels at any time and in any language. The TRATON Investigation Office receives all reports and ensures that they are investigated comprehensively and appropriately. The lawyers of the Investigation Office are not subject to instructions from other bodies of the TRATON GROUP, including the Management Board.
The qualified and experienced colleagues of the Investigation Office investigate every tip-off of a potential offense by an employee of the TRATON GROUP comprehensively and systematically in accordance with the TRATON Group guideline T 4.5. At the beginning, the whistleblower receives a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office assesses the whistleblower report for potential legal risks. This includes clarifying questions about the reported matter and collecting available facts, especially from the whistleblower. If this initial assessment leads to the suspicion of a serious violation, an investigation is initiated by a special investigation unit. Subsequently, the results of the investigation are legally evaluated by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures are recommended. If the evidence indicates a less serious violation of the law, the case may be referred to an appropriate body to investigate and evaluate on its own, but with the option of seeking advice from the Investigation Office.
Whistleblowers or involved employees may contact the Investigation Office at any time about the status and outcome of the case. The outcome will also be communicated to the extent legally possible, subject to the need-to-know principle. However, the processing time varies depending on the subject matter of the proceeding.
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Suppliers and Business Partners, including serious risks and violations of human rights and the environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office - as can reports that otherwise require immediate action. The Investigation Office informs the relevant departments, which process the matter accordingly. This includes, in particular, taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
The whistleblower system guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers and those affected. An investigation is only initiated after careful examination of the tip and if there are concrete indications of a violation of the rules. Investigations are conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information is processed in a fair, fast and confidential process. We ensure that no action is taken to identify anonymous whistleblowers who report in good faith. The presumption of innocence applies to all persons concerned.
Information on data protection and the rights to which you are entitled can be found here.
Do you have any other questions?
If you have any further questions, concerns or suggestions about the whistleblower system at TRATON, please contact us at investigation-office@traton.com.
