Whistleblower System
Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at Audi Group. The success of our company is based on integrity and compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. That is why the Audi Investigation Office operates an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblowing system for us.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.
This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Audi Group will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fast, fair and protected process.
How do we process your report?
Employees at the Audi Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct thoroughly and follow it up systematically. First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay. The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure.
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Audi Investigation Office - as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action by the company. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, that will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
Find more information on the procedural principles of the Audi Group Complaints Procedure here.
Making a report to our Whistleblower System
The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct or potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers in our supply chain, that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary. However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.
Please read the data privacy statement and the statement of consent before getting in touch.
Ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group
Ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group
Aside from the Audi Investigation Office, there are two external lawyers (ombudspersons) who act as neutral mediators. The external ombudspersons appointed by the Volkswagen Group act as trusted lawyers who receive hints regarding possible regulatory violations and check whether they are plausible and substantive. Ultimately, they pass on all the information in the scope discussed with the whistleblower to the Audi Investigation Office for further processing.
You can find more information and all reporting channels for the ombudspersons
here.
Postal address and in person
Postal address and in person
Postal address:
AUDI AG
Whistleblower System
D-85045 Ingolstadt
Germany
In person:
Audi Investigation Office
AUDI AG
I/GC-H
D-85045 Ingolstadt
Germany
Please send an e-mail to whistleblower-office(at)audi.de to schedule an appointment in advance.
Online Reporting Channel
Online Reporting Channel
You have the option of using a web-based communication platform BKMS to contact the Investigation Office in many languages. This system is confidential and technically secured.
Even if your preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, you can use any language to submit your report. You can also contact the Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail.
The Audi Investigation Office can be contacted via the following e-mail address:
- whistleblower-office(at)audi.de
24/7 Telephone call
How do I make a report?
It is important to make sure the information contained in the report you submit to the Investigation Office is as concrete as possible so that it can be processed and investigated in an appropriate manner.
It is helpful if your report covers the following five questions:
- Who? – Who is it about? Who is affected?
- What? – What happened? Explanation of the circumstances.
- When? – When did the incident take place?
- How? – How many times did it happen?
- Where? – Where did the incident take place?
Please make sure that the descriptions contained in your report can be easily understood by persons who are not specialists in your field. It would be helpful if you are available to answer further questions. If you would be willing to do so, but wish to remain anonymous to the company, please contact the ombudspersons or use the Online Reporting Channel to make your report.
Do you have further questions?
Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System can also be addressed to the Investigation Office. If you have been interviewed in terms of an investigation, you have the possibility to give feedback to the Ombudsperson as independent body.
External Reporting Channel of Germany
The German government has defined a designated authority that also accepts reports on misconduct as external reporting channel. The external reporting channel is the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) (BfJ - Hinweisgeberstelle (bundesjustizamt.de)).
