List of contents
1. Our commitment
As a manufacturing company, Sachsen Fahnen GmbH & Co. KG is fully aware of its economic, social and environmental responsibilities. We firmly believe that sustainable business success can only be achieved when business activities are aligned with ethical principles, social responsibility, and environmental protection.
We therefore conduct our business in compliance with applicable laws and in accordance with internationally recognized standards for responsible corporate governance. Respect for human rights, fair working conditions, integrity in business conduct and the responsible use of natural resources are core principles guiding our actions.
These principles form an integral part of our corporate culture and serve as a benchmark for our conduct toward employees, business partners, customers and society as a whole.
1.1 Preamble
Sachsen Fahnen GmbH & Co. KG has been one of the leading manufacturers of custom-printed advertising materials for over 35 years. As a Germany-based production company, we develop and manufacture a wide range of products, from traditional flags and indoor and outdoor advertising banners to large-format prints and complex exhibition systems. In addition to standardized products, we offer customized solutions in individual formats as well as an extensive range of accessories.
Quality, reliability and innovation form the foundation of our business activities. At the same time, we are convinced that long-term economic success is inseparably linked to responsible and sustainable conduct.
However, our responsibility does not end at the boundaries of our own operations. We also expect responsible and ethical conduct throughout our supply chains. Long-term and trust-based cooperation with our business partners requires shared values and adherence to fundamental standards in the areas of integrity, human rights, working conditions and environmental protection.
With this Supplier Code of Conduct, Sachsen Fahnen defines its core expectations of suppliers, service providers, and other business partners with regard to responsible business practices.
We expect our suppliers to acknowledge the principles set out in this Code and to implement them appropriately within the framework of their own business activities. This includes making reasonable efforts to promote these standards within their own supply chains.
The requirements set out in this Code are based in particular on the following internationally recognized frameworks:
- the Ten principles of the UN Global Compact
- the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- the core labor standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
- the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct
Implementation is carried out in accordance with a risk-based and proportionate approach, taking into account each party’s sphere of influence.
1.2 Scope of application
This Supplier Code of Conduct defines the fundamental expectations of Sachsen Fahnen GmbH & Co. KG toward its suppliers, service providers and other business partners.
The principles set out herein serve as the basis for cooperation and generally apply for the duration of the business relationship, including its initiation.
Suppliers are expected to incorporate these principles into their business activities and to take appropriate measures to promote them within their own organizations. We recognize that level of influence within supply chains may vary; therefor, implementation is based on a proportionate and risk-based approach. Long-term and successful cooperation is built on shared values, transparency, and mutual respect.
We thank all business partners who support and promote responsible, sustainable and ethical business practices together with us.
Marcel Ruhland
CEO Sachsen Fahnen GmbH & Co. KG
CEO Sachsen Fahnen GmbH & Co. KG
2. Human rights and working conditions
Sachsen Fahnen expects its suppliers to respect and uphold internationally recognized human rights and to prevent child labour expects its suppliers to respect and uphold internationally recognized human rights and to prevent child labor, forced labour and modern slavery. The basis for these expectations includes, in particular, the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO) as well as applicable national legal requirements.
2.1 Prohibition of child labor
Child labour is strictly prohibited. The minimum age for employement must comply with the applicable legal requirements of the respective country and, at a minimum, with ILO standards.
Young workers may only be employed in accordance with applicable youth protection regulations. Their health, safety and access to education must not be compromised.
2.2 Prohibition of forced and compulsory labor
Any form of forced labor, modern slavery, debt bondage, involuntary prison labor or human trafficking is strictly prohibited. Employment relationships must be entered into voluntarily and may be terminated in accordance with applicable notice periods.
The withholding of identity documents or other personal belongings is not permitted. No unlawful fees or deposits may be required in connection with employment.
2.3 Fair remuneration
Employees must receive at least the applicable statutory minimum wage or, where applicable, remuneration in line with collective bargaining agreements.
Remuneration must be transparent and properly documented. Unlawful wage deductions or disciplinary fines are not permitted. Wage must be paid regularly, on time, and in a legally compliant manner.
2.4 Working hours
Working hours must comply with applicable legal requirements. Overtime is permitted only within legal limits and must be appropriately compensated or offset with time off. Employees must be granted legally required rest periods and days off. Systematic violations of maximum working hours are not permitted.
2.5 Equal treatment and Non-Discrimination
Suppliers must ensure equal opportunities and respectful treatment of all employees.
Any form of discrimination based on gender, origin, ethnicity, skin color, religion, beliefs, disability, age, sexual orientationor other legally protected characteristics is prohibited. Harassment, intimidation or degrading treatment will not be tolerated.
Personnel decisions must be based solely on qualifications, performance, and suitability.
2.6 Freedom of association and collective representation
The right of employees to freedom of association and to form and join employee representative bodies must be respected in accordance with applicable laws.
Employees must not suffer disadvantage or discrimination for exercising these rights. Where such rights are restricted by law, alternative lawful forms of employee representation must be supported.
2.7 Whistleblower System / Whistleblowing
Suppliers should ensure that employees are able to report violations of legal requirements or ethical standards without fear of retaliation.
Sachsen Fahnen also provides a confidential reporting mechanism for concerns related to the business relationship.
3. Occupational health and safety
The health and safety of employees are of paramount importance to Sachsen Fahnen. We expect our suppliers to provide safe, health-conscious and dignified working condictions at all times. Suppliers are required to comly with all applicable health and safety laws and regulations and to implement appropriate measures to prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and health risks.
Safe working conditions
Workplaces, machinery, and work equipment must be designed, maintained, and operated in a manner that minimizes risks to employees as far as reasonably possible. Suppliers are expected to implement appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to prevent accidents and work-related health hazards.
Training and awareness
Employees must be adequately informed about potential hazards associated with their work and must receive regular training on occupational health and safety. The objective is to establish and maintain a high level of safety awareness throughout the organization.
Hygienic working conditions
Suppliers must ensure appropriate hygienic conditions in the workplace. This includes, in particular, access to clean sanitary facilities and sufficient drinking water.
Emergency preparedness and fire protection
Appropriate emergency preparedness measures must be in place. These include, in particular, fire protection systems, emergency response plans, as well as suitable evacuation and first aid measures to ensure an effective response in the event of an incident of emergency.
4. Environmental responsibility and Sustainability
As a manufacturing company, Sachsen Fahnen GmbH & Co. KG recognizes its responsibility to protect the environment. We expect our suppliers to take environmental aspects into account in their business activities andto contribute, within their scope of influence, to the sustainable use of natural resources.
Emissions and Energy
Suppliers are required to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations and to design their operational processes in a way that minimizes or avoids adverse impacts on the environment and human health. This includes, in particular, measures to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and ensure the responsible use of water, raw materials and other sources.
Waste Management
Responsible waste management is an essential component of sustainable production. Suppliers are expected to implement appropriate measures to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Wast must be handled, stoed, transported and disposed of in accordance with applicable legal requirements to prevent harm to air, soil, water or human health.
Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
Beim Einsatz von Chemikalien, Farben, Gefahrstoffen oder sonstigen umweltrelevanten Materialien erwarten wir, dass Lieferanten die jeweils geltenden gesetzlichen Vorschriften einhalten und geeignete Maßnahmen zur sicheren Lagerung, Kennzeichnung und Verwendung treffen. Insbesondere sind relevante europäische Chemikalienvorschriften wie REACH, CLP sowie gegebenenfalls POPs-Regelungen zu berücksichtigen.
Sustainable Procurement
Darüber hinaus erwarten wir von unseren Lieferanten, Umweltaspekte auch bei der Auswahl von Materialien, Rohstoffen und Vorlieferanten zu berücksichtigen. Ziel ist es, gemeinsam mit unseren Geschäftspartnern kontinuierlich Möglichkeiten zu identifizieren, um Umweltauswirkungen entlang der Lieferkette zu reduzieren.
Responsible Raw Material Sourcing
Lieferanten sollen im Rahmen ihrer Möglichkeiten geeignete Sorgfaltsmaßnahmen umsetzen, um Risiken innerhalb ihrer Lieferketten zu erkennen und zu minimieren. Dazu gehört insbesondere Transparenz über die Herkunft wesentlicher Rohstoffe sowie die Berücksichtigung relevanter gesetzlicher Anforderungen und international anerkannter Standards zur verantwortungsvollen Rohstoffbeschaffung.
Quality Standards
Lieferanten verpflichten sich, Produkte und Dienstleistungen in der vereinbarten Qualität bereitzustellen und geeignete Maßnahmen zur Qualitätssicherung umzusetzen. Produktionsprozesse sollen so gestaltet sein, dass gleichbleibende Qualitätsstandards sowie die Einhaltung gesetzlicher Anforderungen gewährleistet sind. Lieferanten sind angehalten, kontinuierlich an der Verbesserung ihrer Prozesse zu arbeiten und mögliche Qualitäts- oder Sicherheitsrisiken frühzeitig zu erkennen und zu minimieren.
Die Umsetzung dieser Anforderungen erfolgt unter Berücksichtigung der jeweiligen Einflussmöglichkeiten und im Rahmen eines angemessenen, risikobasierten Ansatzes.
5. Integrity and Business Ethics
Lieferanten verpflichten sich zu einem verantwortungsvollen, transparenten und gesetzeskonformen Geschäftsverhalten. Geschäftsentscheidungen müssen jederzeit nachvollziehbar, objektiv und frei von sachfremden Einflüssen getroffen werden.
5.1 Korruptionsverbot
Jegliche Form von Bestechung, Vorteilsgewährung oder unzulässiger Einflussnahme ist untersagt. Dies gilt sowohl im Verhältnis zu privaten Geschäftspartnern als auch gegenüber Behörden oder sonstigen öffentlichen Stellen. Zuwendungen, Geschenke oder Einladungen dürfen nur im Rahmen allgemein üblicher geschäftlicher Gepflogenheiten erfolgen und dürfen nicht geeignet sein, geschäftliche Entscheidungen unangemessen zu beeinflussen oder den Anschein einer Beeinflussung zu erwecken.
Lieferanten stellen sicher, dass ihre internen Prozesse und Kontrollmechanismen Korruptionsrisiken angemessen berücksichtigen und Verstöße unterbinden.
5.2 Fairer Wettbewerb
Lieferanten verpflichten sich zur Einhaltung aller anwendbaren kartell- und wettbewerbsrechtlichen Vorschriften. Preisabsprachen, Marktaufteilungen, abgestimmte Verhaltensweisen oder sonstige wettbewerbsbeschränkende Maßnahmen sind unzulässig. Geschäftliche Informationen über Wettbewerber dürfen ausschließlich auf rechtmäßigem Wege erlangt und verwendet werden. Unlautere Geschäftspraktiken oder irreführende Angaben im Wettbewerb werden nicht toleriert.
Lieferanten haben sicherzustellen, dass ihre Mitarbeitenden für die Einhaltung wettbewerbsrechtlicher Vorschriften sensibilisiert sind.
5.3 Datenschutz und Vertraulichkeit
Personenbezogene Daten sind unter Beachtung der jeweils geltenden datenschutzrechtlichen Bestimmungen zu verarbeiten. Daten dürfen nur für legitime, vertraglich vereinbarte Zwecke erhoben und genutzt werden. Technische und organisatorische Maßnahmen sind zu treffen, um personenbezogene Daten und vertrauliche Informationen vor unbefugtem Zugriff, Verlust oder Missbrauch zu schützen.
Geschäfts- und Betriebsgeheimnisse von Sachsen Fahnen sowie von Kunden sind vertraulich zu behandeln und dürfen nicht ohne ausdrückliche Berechtigung an Dritte weitergegeben werden.
5.4 Hinweisgebersystem
Lieferanten sollen sicherstellen, dass Mitarbeitende mögliche Verstöße gegen gesetzliche Vorschriften oder grundlegende ethische Standards melden können, ohne Benachteiligungen befürchten zu müssen.
Sachsen Fahnen ermöglicht ebenfalls die vertrauliche Meldung potenzieller Verstöße im Zusammenhang mit der Geschäftsbeziehung.
5.5 Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung
Lieferanten sind angehalten, sämtliche geltenden gesetzlichen Vorschriften zur Bekämpfung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung einzuhalten. Geschäftsbeziehungen dürfen nicht dazu genutzt werden, illegale finanzielle Mittel zu verschleiern oder zu transferieren. Lieferanten haben angemessene Maßnahmen zu treffen, um sicherzustellen, dass ihre Geschäftstätigkeiten nicht direkt oder indirekt zur Geldwäsche oder zur Finanzierung terroristischer Aktivitäten beitragen.
Verdächtige Geschäftsvorgänge sind im Rahmen der jeweils geltenden gesetzlichen Vorschriften zu prüfen und sofern erforderlich den zuständigen Behörden zu melden.
5.6 Exportkontrolle und Zollbestimmungen
Lieferanten verpflichten sich zur Einhaltung aller anwendbaren nationalen und internationalen Vorschriften im Bereich Exportkontrolle, Sanktions- und Embargovorschriften sowie Zollrecht. Hierzu gehört insbesondere die Beachtung von Exportbeschränkungen, Embargovorschriften sowie sonstigen handelsrechtlichen Regelungen, die den internationalen Waren- und Dienstleistungsverkehr betreffen.
Lieferanten stellen sicher, dass ihre Produkte, Dienstleistungen und Technologien nur in Übereinstimmung mit den jeweils geltenden gesetzlichen Bestimmungen exportiert oder weitergegeben werden.
5.7 Produktsicherheit und Materialkonformität
Lieferanten stellen sicher, dass die von ihnen gelieferten Produkte, Materialien und Komponenten den jeweils geltenden gesetzlichen Anforderungen sowie relevanten Sicherheits- und Umweltvorschriften entsprechen. Insbesondere sind einschlägige europäische Regelungen, beispielsweise zu Chemikalien, Produktsicherheit oder Stoffbeschränkungen, zu beachten. Hierzu gehören unter anderem Vorschriften wie REACH, CLP oder vergleichbare gesetzliche Bestimmungen.
Lieferanten verpflichten sich, Sachsen Fahnen auf Anfrage relevante Informationen zur Materialzusammensetzung, Produktsicherheit oder gesetzlichen Konformität zur Verfügung zu stellen.
5.8 Schutz geistigen Eigentums
Lieferanten verpflichten sich, geistiges Eigentum sowie vertrauliche Informationen von Sachsen Fahnen und deren Kunden zu respektieren und zu schützen. Druckdaten, Designs, Marken oder sonstige geschützte Inhalte dürfen ausschließlich für die vereinbarten geschäftlichen Zwecke verwendet werden.
Eine Weitergabe an Dritte oder anderweitige Nutzung ist ohne ausdrückliche Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers unzulässig.
6. Cascading Requirements in the supply chain
Suppliers are expected to communicate and promote the principles set out in this Supplier Code of Conduct within their own supply chains. This includes, in particular, requirements relating to human rights, working conditions, environmental responsibility and business integrity.
Such requirements may be implemented through contractual agreements, supplier policies, or comparable internal procedures. The extent of implementation should reflect the supplier’s level of influence and the associated risk exposure.
This obligation is based on a proportionate, risk-based „best-efforts“ approach and does not establish strict liability for the conduct of sub-suppliers or third parties.
In the event of identified or reported violations within their supply chain, suppliers are expected to take appropriate measures to investigate and, where possible, remedy such issues.
7. Verification and Documentation
To ensure compliance with this Supplier Code of Conduct, Sachsen Fahnen reserves the right to request appropriate documentation in cases of justified suspicion or where required by customer obligatioons.
Such documentation is intended to provide transparency and demonstrate compliance with fundamental social, environmental and legal standards.
Depending on the nature of the business relationship, this may include:
- self-assessments or questionnaires
- certifications or attestations
- internal policies and procedures
- documentation of management systems
On-site audits may be conducted where justified and subject to prior agreement with the supplier. Sachsen Fahnen is committed to conducting such reviews in a transparent, proportionate, and cooperative manner.
8. Remedial Measures
In the event of identified violations, the supplier will be given the opportunity to provide a statement. The objective is to clarify the facts and conduct a fair and transparent assessment.
Where a violation is confirmed, the supplier is required to take appropriate corrective measures without undue delay. Such measures may include adjustments to internal processes, additional training, or organizational improvements. Upon request, the supplier must provide evidence of the measures taken.
Sachsen Fahnen reserves the right to monitor the implementation of corrective actions. In cases of serious, repeated, or intentional violations, or where there is a lack of willingness to remedy the situation, Sachsen Fahnen reserves the right to suspend or terminate the business relationship, in whole or in part. Statutory and contractual rights remain unaffected.
9. Final provisions
This Supplier Code of Conduct defines the minimum requirements for responsible coorperation. It complements existing contractual agreements and specifies Sachsen Fahnen’s expectations toward its business partners.
This Code does not establish strict liability for the conduct of sub-suppliers or third parties. Liability is determined solely in accordance with applicable laws and contractual agreements.
If any provision of this Code is or becomes invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. Compliance with this Code is considered in the selection and evalution of suppliers and forms and integral part of the business relationship.
10. Acknowledgement
This Supplier Code of Conduct is publicly available. It forms part of the business relationship and is deemed accepted upon acceptance of an order.
In individual cases, Sachsen Fahnen reserves the right to request a separate written confirmation from the supplier.
Stand: 10.03.2026