Compliance

"Integrity is one of our values and the principle upon which our business is based. By aligning our actions with ethical, compliance, and sustainability standards, we can build trust and protect our reputation."

Rob Smith, CEO of the KION Group

As a company operating all around the world, we have corporate social responsibility toward our customers, employees, financial backers and the general public. This corporate social responsibility requires us to comply with all applicable laws, to respect ethical values and to act in a sustainability-oriented manner everywhere and at all times.

Code of Compliance

The KION Group Code of Compliance explains the most important rules for proper and lawful conduct. It helps employees and managers make good and responsible decisions in their day-to-day work. In this way, it supports a corporate culture based on collaboration and integrity.

Code of Compliance (Englisch)

Code of Compliance (more languages)

Code of Compliance (English)

Code of Compliance (German)

Code of Compliance (Chinese)

Code of Compliance (Czech)

Code of Compliance (Dutch)

Code of Compliance (French)

Code of Compliance (Italian)

Code of Compliance (Portuguese)

Code of Compliance (Spanish)

Compliance for Business Partners

Comply with key principles

KION expects its suppliers and business partners to comply with key principles of responsible and lawful conduct.

This includes, in particular, fair business practices, good working conditions, and environmental, health, and safety standards. These shared principles form the foundation for a trusting and successful partnership.

Supplier Code of Conduct

The KION Group Supplier Code of Conduct outlines the standard with regards to business ethics, employment and labour practices, health and safety and environmental practices. The KION Group expects its Suppliers to comply with them.

Further information and downloads can be found in the supplier section.

Principles for independent sales partners

We as the KION Group and our brands value close and productive cooperation with our partners in our Sales and Service Organisation. Therefor we believe that a joint understanding on the principles of doing business is essential for a mutually benefitting business relationship.

Principles for independent sales partners (English)

Additional languages

Principles for independent sales partners (Chinese)

Principles for independent sales partners (French)

Principles for independent sales partners (German)

Principles for independent sales partners (Italian)

Principles for independent sales partners (Portuguese)

Principles for independent sales partners (Spanish)

Compliance Management System

The KION Compliance Management System is based on the KION Group Code of Compliance, which sets a group-wide binding framework for the ethical and legally compliant conduct of employees, managers and business partners.

The system integrates compliance policies, trainings and risk analysis into the company-wide control and risk management processes and is overseen by the Executive Board and operationally by the Chief Compliance Officer.

Code of Compliance & Policies

The KION Group Code of Compliance (KGCC) covers all aspects of compliance that are relevant to us, and provides the framework for everyone in the Group. The KGCC applies to all sites around the world, to all business segments, and to our interactions with employees, customers, and business partners.

Compliance risk analysis

Our compliance measures are defined and prioritized on the basis of company-wide compliance risk assessments.

Compliance training

Our employees learn about the basic principles of compliance in web-based training sessions, which also raise their awareness of the specific legal risks that we face. Classroom-based training on particular compliance topics is targeted at specific groups.

Compliance contact

Our employees and third parties can contact our compliance team with any compliance-related queries.

Whistleblower system

Potential infringements of laws or of our regulations can be reported through an anonymous and confidential external whistleblower system or via internal channels.

Compliance investigations

The implementation of, and adherence to, compliance requirements is regularly audited by Group Internal Audit and monitored by Corporate Compliance and the Compliance Committee.

Compliance reporting

For the purposes of compliance reporting, a survey is regularly conducted across the entire KION Group to check whether compliance requirements are being fulfilled. The results provide the basis for the Chief Compliance Officer’s report to the Executive Board and the Chair of the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee.

The effectiveness of the KION Compliance Management System was audited by an external auditor in compliance with the German accounting standard PS 980 and with ISO 19600.

You can download the audit of the KION Compliance Management System here [external link]

Compliance communication

Employees are regularly kept up to date with compliance-relevant matters through a range of internal guidelines, training, and the KION Group social intranet.

Compliance Organization

The KION Compliance Organization ensures compliance with laws, internal policies, and ethical standards worldwide. Led by the Chief Compliance Officer and supported by compliance representatives across the business, it operates under the oversight of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board, which regularly reviews key compliance risks and measures.

Whistleblower System

Variety of reporting channels

Reliable reporting channels for internal and external interest groups help to ensure that any potential misconduct is reported, thoroughly investigated, and resolved.

KION offers a variety of reporting channels to internal and external whistleblowers in order to facilitate the identification of potential compliance breaches.

What happens after the report has been submitted?

Immediate forwarding of the report upon receipt to the relevant Compliance Committee or Human Rights Committee, as well as to the responsible Compliance Officer, Data Protection Officer, or legal counsel.
Acknowledgement of receipt sent to the reporting person immediately after the report is received.
Assessment of the report by the relevant committee and decision on appropriate measures.
Initiation of an investigation, where necessary.
Further communication with the reporting person may be required to clarify the facts of the matter.Decision on follow-up measures and closure of the case upon completion of the investigation.
Feedback within a maximum of three months on the status or outcome of the investigation, as well as the closure of the case.

All reports are handled confidentially or, if requested, anonymously and in compliance with applicable data protection laws. In addition, the principle of non-retaliation applies: employees who, in good faith, report potential violations of the KION Code of Compliance or applicable law must not suffer any disadvantage as a result.