Code of Conduct
Our corporate culture is made up of values and standards of conduct that shape the way we work together every day. This Code of Conduct serves as a guide to ensure that we treat each other respectfully, fairly and transparently – both internally and in our dealings with our partners and customers. Together, we create a working environment that thrives on openness, responsibility and diversity.
Overview
1. Code of Ethics
2. IT Security Policy / Guidelines on data protection
3 Related Party Transaction Policy
4. Social Responsibility
1. CODE OF ETHICS
Basic requirements
– Acceptance and respect are the basis for us for fair, dignified and equal treatment of all people. We are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities and create a working environment in which acceptance and respect take center stage and every person is valued. Discrimination, sexual harassment, racism and any offensive behavior directed at people because of their nationality, gender, religion, skin color, sexual orientation, age or disability have no place in our team.
– Responsibility is extremely important, which is why we give our employees maximum independence – we believe freedom creates initiative. We want to gain the commitment of our employees through responsibility.
– Flat hierarchies make work more fun. We do not appreciate rigid pecking orders; we try to escape the long-established craft model of hierarchy. We think intimidation and ruthlessness are unacceptable and therefore promote human and friendly interaction. We have no prejudices – with us, advancement is open to all.
– Shared goals and close cooperation with all employees promotes and demands respect. We want everyone involved to be proud to be part of our cause. All stakeholders can and should communicate openly. Without feedback – no progress. We want everyone to make an effort to express opinions and at the same time strive to understand the perspective of others.
– Transparency and consistency are an integral part of our company. We stand for honesty and avoid empty promises. We want to create an atmosphere characterized by healthy growth and ambitious goals, while always maintaining discretion, fairness and openness.
– Safe workplaces offer employees a space in which they can feel comfortable. Anti-fatigue mats are installed in the designated work areas and there are sufficient alternative workstations. We also provide work equipment that is safe for health.
Product conformity and safety
Many people come into contact with our e-bikes and services every day. We have a responsibility to reduce all risks and hazards to health, safety and the environment that could result from handling our bikes to an absolute minimum and to eliminate them as far as possible. We have agreed on the following characteristics to ensure this:
– Quality awareness is our top priority. Our bikes are on the road and must therefore be equipped accordingly. A cheap imported product is out of the question for us. When designing the e-bike, we did not focus on price or design, but on quality, safety and durability.
– Experience and data are continuously gathered to identify potential service bottlenecks at an early stage, ensuring that bikes remain on the road for as long as possible while preserving materials. The information entrusted to us is handled responsibly and securely, with full respect for privacy and compliance with all data protection regulations. All employees are required to adhere to the applicable guidelines on data protection and data security to maintain and protect the trust of our customers.
– Product development and material testing are part of our daily work process, as we always strive for the highest level of safety for our bikes. Our team strives to continuously find innovative solutions that meet the highest safety requirements as well as being environmentally friendly and sustainable.
2. IT SECURITY POLICY/ DATA PROTECTION GUIDELINES
The protection of personal data of employees, customers, suppliers and other data subjects is of particular importance to SMARTVÉLO. We collect, record, process, use and store personal data only in accordance with the legal requirements.
We are aware that our sustainable business success depends in particular on the use of confidential information and data (both from SMARTVÉLO and from third parties, e.g. business partners) and their confidentiality, therefore confidential information of any kind (e.g. business secrets, inventions, designs, sketches, technical or economic data, etc.) must not be passed on to unauthorized persons – neither internally nor externally. To protect such information, this confidentiality agreement must also be contractually agreed with our business partners.
The following points are agreed upon:
– Technology: All technological work equipment provided by SMARTVÉLO remains the property or exclusive right of disposal of SMARTVÉLO. All employees must treat the equipment with care and ensure that it is never left unsecured or unattended. Furthermore, the hardware and software are primarily intended for business use.
– Property rights: All employees are required to observe and comply with copyrights and all other industrial property rights (trademarks, etc.) at all times and, when using the SMARTVÉLO trademark, to ensure that they are also protected.
– Rules of conduct: It is prohibited to save, copy, print or share and forward any offensive material with offensive, discriminatory, obscene, criminal or reputation-damaging content. It is also prohibited to electronically spy, hack, and mislead by using another person’s name. As our email communications are considered legal documentation, we take care to ensure that these and other correspondence on behalf of our company are conducted in a professional and appropriate manner.
– Data security: Any data of employees, customers or third parties, passwords and access authorizations must be kept secure against unauthorized use by third parties. If external systems are accessed, it is essential to ensure that no confidential or legally protected data or information of SMARTVÉLO is transferred, shared or copied.
Guidelines on retention periods for documents and data:
Our company undertakes, within the framework of the applicable laws, to retain or archive all relevant company documents, whether in electronic or printed form, in accordance with the specified periods.
3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION POLICY
To ensure a smooth operational process, it is our requirement to avoid situations in which conflicts of interest may arise. We want to achieve this with complete transparency on the following points:
– Gifts are generally prohibited, in particular gifts of money and financial benefits to employees and representatives of other companies. The only exceptions are small gifts on the occasion of birthdays or company anniversaries, as well as other low-value gifts with a brand logo and representative character for which no consideration is expected. All gifts must be given transparently and in accordance with company guidelines in order to avoid conflicts of interest or the impression of taking advantage.
– Invitations and hospitality that are characterized by private interest and personal relationships in order to gain advantages for the company are prohibited. In order to deal with potential conflicts properly, all employees are encouraged to always report dubious invitations to their line manager and/or the management.
– Fair competition is essential for progress and innovation, which is why we are committed to complying with antitrust law and the applicable anti-corruption guidelines.
4. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
– Human rights are of the utmost importance to us. We respect internationally recognized human rights and support their observance. We strictly reject any form of child or forced labor, human trafficking, all forms of modern slavery and any form of exploitation. Furthermore, we unconditionally respect all personal rights and freedom of association.
– Environmental and climate protection are core values at SMARTVÉLO. Resource efficiency and sustainability characterize our actions and it is our goal to constantly question and optimize our work and production processes in order to make the greatest possible contribution to environmental and climate protection. We despise the waste and misuse of resources and do not condone ignorance of our responsibility to protect our environment.
This Code of Conduct is issued to all employees!
The Code of Conduct contains and represents the corporate culture of smartvélo mobility GmbH by combining applicable legal guidelines and company regulations, which all employees undertake to comply with.
Non-compliance and deliberate violations of these guidelines will lead to consequences under labor law within the framework of the applicable regulations.
