As a European stock corporation, we are subject to a considerable body of legislation and regulations, and as such, we already fulfil a high standard of compliance. We acknowledge our responsibility towards business partners, shareholders, employees and the public. In order to fulfil this responsibility, even against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging regulatory environment, we have developed compliance guidelines. These guidelines, together with the rules of conduct based on these guidelines, provide not only legal but also ethical guidance. This is confirmed on an annual basis by the Management Board and the managing directors of the companies. The compliance guidelines contain the fundamental and binding rules for the behaviour of employees both internally and in relation to business partners, shareholders and the general public. Our compliance manager is responsible for the content and expansion of the compliance management system. In addition to the preventive measures that have been implemented within the company, we have also set up a whistleblowing system that allows employees and external parties to report possible compliance violations confidentially and, if necessary, anonymously.