Our human rights strategy pursuant to § 6 of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)

We are equally aware of our role in society and our responsibility towards our business partners, members and employees, and are committed to sustainability. Against this backdrop, we are addressing societal issues and to minimising environmental impact, conserving resources and promoting environmental protection as well as the well-being of the community. This is not only done to ensure our long-term success, but also because we are a vital and valuable building block in international, national, regional and local communities.

We are committed to the United Nations Global Compact and in particular to the basic principles set out therein on human rights, labour standards and environmental protection. In order to fulfil this commitment, we base our actions on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights of 2016 (National Action Plan; cf. the Federal Government's draft bill of 3 March 2021).

We are committed to responsible, sustainable business practices and support the implementation of internationally recognised principles on human rights and fair working conditions, both within our organisation and with business partners. We expect our business partners and suppliers to respect and comply with human and labour rights in their business activities.

Responsibilities

Our Executive Board is responsible for monitoring compliance with and implementation of human rights-related due diligence obligations. Risk management is monitored by our Human Rights Officer. Risk analyses and the implementation of preventive and remedial measures are carried out by our relevant departments, for example Purchasing, in close cooperation with the Human Rights Officer.

Whistleblowing and complaints procedure

We have set up a freely accessible whistleblower system that employees and third parties can use at any time to report human rights or environmental risks and violations of human rights or environmental duties caused by us, our direct and indirect suppliers or our other cooperation and business partners. Complaints can be addressed in particular to sorgfaltspflichten[at]dlr.de. We review the effectiveness of the complaints procedure on an annually basis.

A detailed description of the complaints procedure can be found here.

Risk analysis

In order to review the impact of our actions on human rights, an abstract risk analysis relating to human rights and ecologically relevant aspects was carried out for the first time in 2022 for our own business division and our business partners relevant within the meaning of the LkSG. The aim of this risk analysis was to identify possible human rights-related risk topics in a structured manner and to prioritise where potentially high risks are identified.

Building on the abstract risk analysis, we carriy out IT-supported concrete risk analyses of prioritised suppliers and business partners on an annual basis and as required in accordance with the LkSG.

Measures

If we determine that a violation of a human rights-related or environmental obligation has already occurred or is imminent in our own business area or at business partners or suppliers, we immediately take appropriate remedial measures to prevent or end this violation or to minimise the extent of the violation. We have appointed a so-called "Due Diligence Task Force" – as an advisory and decision-making body on necessary remedial measures within the meaning of the LkSG – which meets in the event of serious violations of due diligence obligations within the meaning of the LkSG that have occurred or are imminent in order to examine and decide on appropriate remedial measures.

Based on the results of the risk analyses, we derive specific measures to reduce and avert the identified potential risks, align our considerations and processes accordingly to include these risks, and sensitise both employees and suppliers to these risks and the associated remedial measures in a targeted manner as required.

Concrete measures include, for example, contractual assurances from suppliers that our requirements will be adhered to and addressed along the supply chain, or sending questionnaires to suppliers for whom an increased risk was identified in the course of the risk analysis. Further concrete measures are based on the requirements of the LkSG and are defined in a tiered model, whereby the lowest level of measures involves holding discussions on measures to be implemented and the highest level of measures involves terminating cooperation with suppliers.

Documentation and reporting obligations

Since 2023, we are reporting annually publicly and to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) on our supply chain due diligence activities, including disclosure of the results of the supply chain risk assessment and a description of the measures taken to mitigate the identified risks and an assessment of their effectiveness.