As a company that strives to operate ethically in all our activities, our image and reputation is inseparable from the appropriate conduct of each of its employees. Henkel employees are expected to respect laws and standards, avoid conflicts of interest, and show consideration and appreciation for local customs, traditions, and social behaviors of the various countries and cultures in which Henkel conducts business. Henkel does not take ethical shortcuts. Improper conduct is never in Henkel’s interest and violations are not tolerated. Compliance is an integral component of Henkel’s business processes.
GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE
Henkel is strongly committed to Corporate Governance and Corporate Compliance on both a local and global level. Responsible management processes, compliance with many different legal requirements, and cultural sensitivity are cornerstones to being successful in our international markets.
The Management Board bears the overall responsibility for the Compliance Organization. Henkel’s Compliance Organization ensures global compliance with laws and internal standards. Under the direction of the globally responsible “General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer (CCO),” Henkel has established a group-wide Compliance Organization with a central Corporate Compliance Office, as well as local and regional Compliance Officers. The CCO is supported by an interdisciplinary Compliance & Risk Committee (CRC) and by various members of Henkel’s functions and businesses. Different tasks and responsibilities are clearly defined.
The compliance organization acts on the three levels: “Prevention,” “Detection,” and “Reaction.” It manages group-wide compliance activities, coordinates training courses, oversees fulfilment of both internal and external regulations, and supports the development and implementation of globally binding internal standards.
Compliance topics are regularly reported, discussed, and aligned with the Management Board, the Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board, the Shareholders’ Committee, and multiple other bodies on corporate and local levels.
Compliance Management System
Henkel’s compliance culture involves continuous monitoring and improvement of the compliance process. Our global compliance management system was once again audited by external auditors in 2022 based on IDW PS 980 assurance standard and under due consideration of ISO 37301, with respect to the appropriateness, implementation, and effectiveness of the global compliance processes in the areas of competition law and anti-corruption. Henkel has repeatedly and successfully passed this special audit.
Data Protection Management System
Henkel attaches great importance to processing personal data in accordance with legal regulations and having in place a data protection management system to ensure compliance with this objective. Our data protection management system for Europe was audited by external auditors in 2019 based on the IDW PS 980 auditing standard and under due consideration of IDW PH 9860.1, with respect to its appropriateness, implementation, and effectiveness. Henkel is one of the first German corporations to have successfully passed this special audit after the EU General Data Protection Regulation has become effective.
compliance whistleblower process
and our compliance Hotlines
Henkel’s employees and stakeholders and all persons affected by Henkel's business activities, are requested to report potential misconduct.
Find more information about our compliance whistleblower process and our compliance Hotlines.
our codes & standards
Our Code of Conduct
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Corporate Audit
Corporate Audit’s purpose is to independently and objectively evaluate and improve Henkel’s governance, processes, and controls.
Regular audits at our production and administration sites and, increasingly, at our subcontractors and logistics centers are carried out to verify compliance with our codes and standards. The audits are our key instruments for identifying risks and potential improvements. Worldwide audits in the areas of purchasing, sales, marketing, finance, IT, human resources, supply chain, operations, as well as in safety, health, and environment (SHE) are conducted.