Business conduct
Target for 2027
Unethical business practices have the potential to damage the economy and society. They cause economic losses, promote social inequality, and undermine democratic processes. As a global business with a far-reaching network of business partners, we are committed to conducting our business ethically, legally, and in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, which is a precondition for all other material sustainability topics.
Our approach
We undertake to carry out our business activities in an ethical, legal, and environmentally and socially responsible manner. We expect every business partner we work with to conduct themselves in a similar manner. We assess every aspect of our business relationship and focus particularly on:
- Business compliance
- Anti-bribery and anti-corruption
- Free competition
- Export and sanctions compliance
Our Code of Conduct defines the fundamental standards and principles for employee interaction and behavior with partners, stakeholders, and the environment. It aligns with our “Values and Behaviors”, ensuring that our actions reflect our core principles. With the Code of Conduct for business partners, our suppliers, local agents, and partners commit to conducting their business in an ethical, legal, and environmentally and socially responsible manner. All employees are required to explicitly acknowledge the Code of Conduct. We train our employees in the fields of anti-corruption, business compliance including free competition, and strict adherence to export and sanctions controls.
Burckhardt Compression carries out regular internal audits of all its subsidiaries with a focus on financial, legal, and compliance topics.
Our Speak Up reporting system is a whistleblower channel operated by an independent third party. It allows employees, business partners, and third parties that are, or might be, aware of suspected misconduct to register it in the reporting system. The system is designed to allow protection of the identity of the reporting party. All Speak Up submissions undergo a formal triage and investigation process led by the responsible compliance functions, ensuring impartial fact finding, appropriate escalation, and structured remediation, with aggregated findings periodically reported to the Executive Management and the Board of Directors.