Whistleblower System

1.      Our Whistleblower System

Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at the Weser-Ems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. Therefore, we entrusted the Central Investigation Office to operate an independent, impartial and confidential Whistleblower System on our behalf.

A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.

This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Weser-Ems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.

How do we process your report?

The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by a Volkswagen Group employee thoroughly and follow it up systematically.  First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay.

Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office -  as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.

* The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure

Find more information on the procedural principles of the Volkswagen Group Complaints Procedure here.

2.      Do you have any concern or feedback regarding a Weser-Ems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH product or service?

If you have any questions or inquiries regarding products, feedback or complaints about services provided by the Weser-Ems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH or our business partners (e.g. car dealerships, workshops), please contact our kundensupport@vw-classicparts.de.

We kindly ask for your understanding that the Whistleblower System unfortunately cannot process customer complaints.

3.      Making a report to our Whistleblower System

The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary. 

 However this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.

24/7 Hotline

You can make a report at 365 days, 24 hours, using the international toll-free number:

+800 444 46300*.

If your local telephone provider does not support the toll-free service, you can call the following chargeable number:
+49 5361 946300.

*Depending on the country you are calling from it is possible that the international toll-free hotline is not available since some telephone network providers do not support the service. If so, please use the offered chargeable number or your country specific number.

Online Reporting Channel

You have the option of using a web-based communication platform BKMS Link to contact the Investigation Office in many languages. This system is confidential and technically secured.

Even if your preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, you can use any language to submit your report. You can also contact the Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail.

Ombudspersons

The Weser-Ems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. They advise on the Whistleblower System or ensure that reports from whistleblowers are forwarded anonymously to the Investigation Office if desired.

If you want to get in contact with the Ombudsperson you can find their contact details here: https://www.ombudsmen-of-volkswagen.com/

E-mail

You can get in contact with the Investigation Office of the Weser-Ems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH via e-mail: io@volkswagen.de

Central Investigation Office

Postal address:

Central Investigation Office

Box 1717

38436 Wolfsburg Germany

In person:               

Please make an appointment in advance by writing an E-mail to io@volkswagen.de.

4.      Do you have further questions or do you need a local contact?

Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System can also be addressed to the Investigation Office.

If you have been interviewed in terms of an investigation, you have the possibility to give feedback to the Ombudsperson as independent body.

Furthermore, our local Compliance Officer/responsible function ​can also be adressed in all matters of the Whistleblower System via Matthias.Meyer3@volkswagen.de.

5. External Reporting Channel of the Federal Republic of Germany

The German government has defined a designated authority, that also accepts reports on misconduct as an external reporting channel, i.e. the “Externe Meldestelle des Bundes beim Bundesamt für Justiz”. The external reporting channel can be found here: BfJ - Hinweisgeberstelle (bundesjustizamt.de)

Version: July 2023