Working together for a sustainable transformation in the communications industry
Status: 20 January 2025
Not just talk, but action - the right approach, we think, especially when it comes to sustainability. Because if something is to move, everyone has to take action. It's not just the big players, manufacturing companies or energy-intensive industries that bear responsibility for the environment and society. As an agency that often works for precisely these companies, we do too. We can not only change public perception with communication, but also support sustainable decisions with our advice. In addition, we naturally also want to make our own value creation as sustainable as possible - we call this sustainable by default.
In 2022, we bundled our understanding of sustainability, our objectives and our activities in our sustainability strategy shaping sustainable segmenta, the title of which emphasises our active approach and ongoing development. We have described all of this on our website, as well as the four areas of activity in which we want to prioritise and be particularly effective as part of our core business:
https://segmenta.de/en/home/shaping-sustainable-segmenta/
We want to make our contribution to sustainable change in the communications industry, for example by establishing sustainable supply chain management. But we cannot do this alone. We need the support of our business partners to implement and continuously develop this programme. By publishing our Partner Code, we want to express our joint commitment to legally compliant and ethical business behaviour, social responsibility, environmental protection and sustainable development.
The Code is based on global conventions and frameworks such as due diligence in the supply chain, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the core labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the principles of the UN Global Compact. National initiatives such as the Diversity Charter, which we signed in 2021, are also considered.
By signing the Code, our partners show that they want to work with us on a long-term and trusting basis towards a sustainable transformation in the communications industry. We also encourage them to speak openly about their goals, activities and successes and to have them evaluated if necessary. This not only helps them to improve, but also shows others that they are committed to sustainability.
Our business partners ensure that they comply with all applicable national and international legal regulations that apply to their respective business activities.
Transparent and solution-orientated cooperation
Our partners adhere to agreed standards to ensure customer satisfaction. Through close cooperation and clear and timely communication, we avoid problems and challenges in the provision of services.
Ensuring fair competition
We adhere to the principles of fair competition and antitrust law by not exchanging or agreeing prices, quantities or conditions with competitors. We expect the same from our partners.
Combating corruption, bribery and money laundering
We pursue a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption and bribery and train our own employees accordingly. In addition, anti-money laundering laws must be complied with and suspected cases must be carefully investigated and dealt with using appropriate measures.
Avoidance of conflicts of interest
Potential conflicts of interest that could conflict with the principle of objective decision-making, are actively avoided and/or communicated transparently wherever possible.
Dealing with complaints and the Whistleblower Protection Act
segmenta's business partners ensure that whistleblowers can express concerns and complaints of any kind confidentially and without fear of reprisals or discrimination. segmenta itself has set up a digital reporting channel for employees, through which concerns and complaints about our business conduct can be expressed securely, confidentially and, if desired, anonymously.
Responsible handling of information
The confidentiality of business and customer data must be guaranteed at all times. All information that is collected, stored, processed, transmitted and passed on as part of the collaboration must be adequately protected in accordance with the laws on data protection and information security and only used for the agreed purposes. Data that is processed in IT systems must be protected in the best possible way, but at least in accordance with applicable law.
In particular when working with service providers (e.g. freelancers in the areas of strategy, art or text), segmenta draws up a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in addition to this Partner Code, which comprehensively regulates the responsible handling of information.
We expect our business partners to respect the labour-related rights of their employees and to ensure that their working conditions are in line with the ILO core labour standards, applicable laws and other international standards. Forced labour, child labour and any form of discrimination are unacceptable.
Respect for human rights, exclusion of forced labour and prohibition of child labour
GTogether with our partners, we take responsibility for a socially just supply and value chain. segmenta's business partners recognise the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and support it within their sphere of influence. This also includes the exclusion of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking. They take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that they are neither knowingly nor unknowingly involved in human rights violations.
We are also committed to the global outlawing of child labour. We comply with all applicable national and international laws for the protection of children so that children can grow up free from exploitative labour and develop their full potential.
Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
Our business partners respect the right of their employees to organise freely, join trade unions and negotiate without being discriminated against or disadvantaged.
Combating discrimination and harassment
Our business partners formulate appropriate anti-discrimination guidelines, actively promote freedom from discrimination and take action against discriminatory practices. Any form of discrimination or unequal treatment based on gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or identity, disability, age or other personal characteristics is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Ensuring occupational health and safety
Occupational health and safety in the workplace is always ensured for all employees in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All hazards and health risks are regularly assessed and minimised through appropriate preventive and protective measures. This includes the continuous training of employees.
Fair working conditions
Our business partners offer their employees appropriate and fair working conditions that respect the basic rights of employees and comply with applicable laws. This also includes appropriate and non-discriminatory remuneration as well as regulated and appropriate working hours and rest periods.
By complying with environmental regulations, reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency and using natural resources responsibly, we are working together to ensure a future worth living for current and future generations.
Compliance with environmental laws and regulations
segmenta's business partners comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate. These include laws on the protection of air and water quality, waste disposal and environmental impact assessments.
Increasing resource and energy efficiency, reducing waste
Resources such as water, energy, paper and other materials should be used responsibly and their consumption reduced as far as possible. The overarching goals are to minimise the consumption of resources and the generation of waste and to significantly increase the use of renewable, reusable or recycled and recyclable raw materials and materials.
Reduction of greenhouse gases
Our partners take effective measures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and utilise climate-friendly technologies. By using renewable energies, optimising transport and logistics processes and switching to resource-saving production methods, an active contribution can be made to reducing greenhouse gases.
Preservation of air, water and soil quality
Our business partners take the necessary measures to reduce the air, noise and pollutant emissions associated with their business activities. When handling (environmentally) hazardous substances, safe handling, movement, storage, reuse and disposal must be ensured in accordance with the applicable laws, guidelines and standards.
Promotion of biodiversity
Our business partners are committed to environmentally friendly practices. This can be achieved, for example, by using or favouring sustainable cultivation and rearing methods, avoiding the use of harmful chemicals or contributing to the protection of natural habitats.
We expect our business partners to identify risks in their supply and value chains and to take appropriate measures to reduce and avoid them. In the event of suspected violations and to safeguard supply chains with increased risks, the business partner will inform us promptly and, if necessary, regularly about identified violations and risks as well as the measures taken.
segmenta reserves the right to verify compliance with the requirements of the Partner Code. This can and will generally be done by means of a self-disclosure (questionnaire). In individual cases and where there is particular interest, an on-site audit is also possible. The business partner agrees that in future segmenta may carry out such audits once a year or on special occasions and, if necessary, by third parties. The business partner may object to individual measures if these would violate mandatory data protection regulations.
If we discover a breach of our Partner Code, we will inform the partner in question in writing as soon as possible and set a deadline for them to rectify the problem. If it cannot be rectified in time, the partner must inform us immediately. We will then jointly develop a plan to rectify the underlying causes of the breach or at least minimise its impact.
If a business partner intentionally violates the Code and fails to find a solution within the statutory period, we reserve the right to terminate the cooperation. This also applies if the measures from the joint plan have demonstrably not been implemented.