For Lidl, acting in compliance with the law is not only a given, it is key to the long-term success of our organization. This mindset is enshrined in our corporate principle "We comply with the applicable laws and with internal policies".
At Lidl, we systematically create awareness for compliance risks and on that basis identify the action that needs to be taken. Our Compliance Management System focuses on anti-corruption/anti-fraud, data protection, antitrust law, as well as business partner, supply chain, product, tax, accounting and HR compliance.
Compliance Rules of Conduct
Our Compliance Rules of Conduct provide the framework for our employees. They are derived from our corporate principle of “We comply with applicable law and internal guidelines” and summarize the rights and obligations of our employees.
Code of Conduct
We endeavor to ensure that our business partners along the entire supply chain also consistently act in compliance with the law, particularly when it comes to upholding human rights and environmental standards.
Our Business Partners' Code of Conduct sets out the basic principles governing the cooperation with business partners and is available here.
Whistleblowing system / Grievance mechanism
In situations where, despite all our efforts, a compliance violation occurs or a risk in this regard exists, we offer both employees and third parties the opportunity to report potential compliance violations or risks in this regard via our whistleblower system. Potential compliance violations or risks in this regard include:
Violations of compliance-related internal policies.
- Unlawful acts and omissions which are subject to a penalty or fine (criminal or administrative offenses);
- Human rights and environmental risks and violations;
Please be advised that reports unrelated to compliance issues will not be processed. For any such matters, please contact Customer Service.
Potential compliance violations or risks in this regard may be reported via the following channels:
Compliance Officer
The Compliance Officer may be contacted at:
Private and confidential
Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG, Attn: Compliance Officer
Stiftsbergstraße 1
74172 Neckarsulm
Germany
E-mail: compliance@lidl.com
Online reporting system (BKMS)
The online reporting system is an Internet-based application and can be accessed from any Internet-enabled device via the following link: to the online reporting system.
External counsel
The external counsel may be contacted at:
Dr. Margarete Gräfin von Galen
(certified specialist in criminal law)
Mommsenstraße 45
10629 Berlin
Germany
Telephone +49 30 31 01 82 13
Fax +49 30 31 01 82 20
E-mail: galen@galen.de
Within its own organization, Lidl ensures that the whistleblower's identity is kept confidential and also provides for reports to be made anonymously.
Lidl investigates all reports of compliance violations carefully and confidentially and any proven misconduct is systematically and appropriately sanctioned.
The procedure for processing whistleblower reports at Lidl is governed by our procedural guidelines, which are available here.
Additional grievance mechanism
Due to the global nature of supply chain structures, social, human rights and environmental abuses may arise within supply chains. In complying with its corporate due diligence obligations, Lidl maintains the whistleblower channels described above, which are also available to affected parties in our Lidl supply chains. Lidl is also an active participant in grievance mechanisms established by external institutions such as ACT, RSC/ACCORD.
The grievance mechanisms implemented in Lidl's supply chains offer employees channels for submitting complaints. They help expose hidden risks and abuses and allow appropriate remedial action to be taken on the complainant's behalf. The complaints received relate to a wide range of social and environmental issues, including outstanding payments, unfair dismissals, building safety, poor sanitation, unclean drinking water, lack of fire safety documents, threats against unions, harassment, environmental violations, accidents, and unauthorized subcontracting.