Preventing Corruption

Berliner Wasserbetriebe have put in place a complete system to prevent corruption with a view to demonstrating its stance on combating the worldwide increase in white collar crime. In that respect our measures extend significantly above and beyond the valid requirements of German Company Law and the German Corporate Governance Code.

This is aimed at protecting our partners and employees from punishable acts, and at the same time ensuring that neither the good reputation of our business partners nor the good reputation of our company can be jeopardised.

Benchmarks for the collaboration with our business partners and customers
A key element of the regulations consists of specifying the obligations of our executive staff members in respect of preventing corruption, and a code of conduct to be adhered to by our employees in respect of preventing corruption. In addition, each employee is subject to strict regulations regarding the acceptance of advantages (e.g. rewards, gifts and entertainment). These regulations are aimed at avoiding a conflict of interests. The content of the regulation therefore also comprises a strict separation of private and business activities.

External ombudsperson and integrity committee
A further key element consists of the external ombudsperson we have appointed. This position is held by the lawyer, Elke Schaefer, whose law firm focusses on white collar crime and the prevention of corruption. In the event of suspected corruption, confidential information can be passed to her. As a result of the lawyer's obligation to maintain secrecy, the identity of the party providing the information is not disclosed as a general rule. In addition to this external ombudsperson, Berliner Wasserbetriebe have put in place an integrity committee which, as in the case of the external ombudsperson, can also be informed in the event of suspected corruption.

Internal contact persons for the prevention of corruption:
Integritätsausschuss Berliner Wasserbetriebe

Postal address:
Integrity Committee- IR
c/o Berliner Wasserbetriebe
D-10864 Berlin
Tel.:   030/8644-6866

External contact person for the prevention of corruption (Ombudsperson):
Lawyer Elke Schaefer   
     
Postal address: 
Ombudsman Berliner Wasserbetriebe
Lawyer Elke Schaefer   
Kurfürstendamm 178/179  
D-10707 Berlin
Tel.:   030 / 887 1949-14
Fax:   030 / 887 1949-20

Prevention of corruption by Berliner Wasserbetriebe recognised internationally
The measures aimed at preventing corruption put in place by Berliner Wasserbetriebe have been acknowledged by the international network Water Integrity Network (WIN), and published on its website as an example to be highlighted. The strategy was simultaneously presented in August at the Stockholm World Water Week. Information is gathered worldwide on anti-corruption. The best examples from the industry are presented in the network to create incentives for and lessons to be learned by others who hold responsibility in the water sector.
 
The Water Integrity Network was established in August 2006 to fight corruption in the water sector, and reduce poverty.  WIN plays an active role in drawing up the annual Global Report of the anti-corruption organisation Transparency International.