Code of Conduct

1. Business Ethics and Conduct

R&D GmbH and all employees are committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations at all times. This also applies to all internal guidelines and instructions.

In addition, every employee is expected to act honestly and fairly in the workplace and to perform their duties with integrity and professionalism when dealing with customers, suppliers and authorities.

The principles of fair competition must always be observed. Anti-competitive conduct is not tolerated by R&D GmbH.

2. Competitive Conduct and Anti-Corruption

Orders are acquired and awarded fairly and on the basis of the high quality and price of our innovative products and services.

Unlawful competitive advantages, corruption or bribery are not tolerated.

It is strictly prohibited to offer, promise or accept unfair advantages in connection with business activities, whether directly or indirectly.

3. Fair Working Conditions and Equal Opportunities

We comply with the applicable labor and employment laws in every country. In addition, we expressly commit ourselves to fair working conditions.

R&D GmbH does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in the workplace, particularly on the basis of age, disability, national origin, gender, skin color, religion or sexual orientation.

This also applies in particular to the prohibition of child labor.

We regularly inspect our international production facilities personally and on site to ensure that the applicable labor and employment regulations are also observed there.

4. Occupational Safety

The health of our employees and safety in the workplace are our highest priority.

Our employees are required to comply with all relevant regulations and safety instructions in the production facilities and to wear the required protective equipment.

5. Health Protection

The health of our employees is very important to us. All employees in our production facilities must wear suitable protective clothing depending on the work process. This includes, among other things, respiratory masks, hearing protection, safety goggles, gloves and safety shoes.

When processing natural stone, high levels of fine dust can generally occur. Thanks to Slate-Lite’s innovative production process, however, this exposure can be significantly reduced: Since the solid slate blocks are not split or chiseled during the production of Slate-Lite, but removed layer by layer, no corresponding fine dust exposure occurs for our employees during this production step.

Dust exposure during sawing and sanding of the slate blocks is significantly reduced in our production facilities by carrying out these process steps in connection with water. Any dust generated is directly bound, preventing the formation of harmful dust exposure.

A health risk from silicosis is therefore not present in the Slate-Lite production process.

6. Gifts and Benefits

Payments may only be authorized once contractually agreed goods have been delivered or services have been performed. The principles of proper accounting must be observed at all times.

All employees are prohibited from requesting or accepting gifts or benefits in connection with business activities.

Exceptions apply to occasional invitations or gifts that are customary in a business context and have only a low financial value, provided that they do not violate any laws, regulations or internal guidelines.

7. Environmental Protection

For R&D GmbH, it is important to protect natural resources as effectively as possible.

This includes not only compliance with all environmental laws, standards and other legal requirements, but also continuous work to reduce environmental impact in the production process and to steadily improve our environmental protection efforts.

8. Conflicts of Interest

To avoid conflicts of interest of any kind, employees of R&D GmbH may not hold interests in customers, suppliers or companies that manufacture or distribute products that directly compete with products of R&D GmbH.

In addition, business activities by our employees outside the business activities of R&D GmbH with suppliers, customers or competitors are prohibited without express permission.

9. Confidentiality, Data Protection and Business Secrets

All business transactions, corporate and annual reports, cost overviews, formulas, internal production processes, market assessments and strategy papers must always be treated confidentially and discreetly.

Confidential information of any kind, including information about customers, suppliers and employees, may not be made available to third parties. It must be protected against unauthorized access by third parties unless the information is already publicly known.