A holistic approach to corporate sustainability

As of 01.01.2023, the Act applies directly to the following entities of the B. Braun Group:

B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co KG

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Aesculap AG  

As of 01.01.2024, the Act applies directly to the following entities of the B. Braun Group:

B. Braun Avitum AG

All companies of the B. Braun group are obliged to issue binding minimum rules in order to continue investing sustainably in har-mony with the people and the environment for our future. The B. Braun group‘s comprehensive risk management helps to identify, record, assess, monitor and manage human rights and environmental risks that may arise in its own business area and in global supply chains.

On February 7, 2024, the Board of B. Braun SE adopted the 'Statement of Principles of B. Braun SE on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (2023)' in accordance with § 6 para. 1, § 6 para. 2 sentence 1 of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. This statement elaborates on the actions outlined in our Declaration of Human Rights for the supply chain and our own business operations in accordance with the requirements of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act applicable in Germany. Furthermore, it reinforces our commitment to meeting environmental requirements."

The required due diligence obligations of the B. Braun Group also include the anchoring of preventive measures for  suppliers. With integrated software solutions (e.g. Ecovadis, IntegrityNext) for supplier qualification and monitoring, the B. Braun companies strengthen their sustainable supply chains.

The Management Board of B. Braun SE is responsible for compliance with the human rights and environmental due diligence obligations of the B. Braun group.

Within the B. Braun Compliance Management System, compliance with these rights is ensured by effective measures.

Responsibilities are anchored for relevant business processes in order to monitor the fulfilment of due diligence obligations.

The B. Braun Group's complaint management system enables individuals to report working conditions and to speak up about human rights and environmental risks and violations that have arisen as a result of B. Braun's own actions or those of a direct supplier of B. Braun. As part of risk management, complaint management is an early warning system and an instrument for identifying and eliminating risks and violations or adapting preventive measures. Of particular importance is compliance with the following principles:

• Legality: all investigation activities shall comply with all applicable laws and regulation.
• Independence: investigators have the right to conduct the investigation independently without any interference or restrictions by people from other departments.
• Confidentiality: all information related to the investigation, including the identity of the whistleblower is confidential and shall not be disclosed to third parties without prior permission.
• Protection: whistleblower and information shall be protected and retaliations, in all kinds, are prohibited. In the event of false accusations without factual foundation or based on forged evidence, an investigation shall be conducted and corresponding actions be taken accordingly.