External reporting offices

The Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) gives persons who intend to submit a report the right to choose whether to contact an internal company reporting centre or an external reporting centre of the federal or state government.

However, the Whistleblower Protection Act also stipulates that reports to an internal centre should be favoured if this can be used to take effective action against the violation and whistleblowers do not have to fear reprisals (§ 7 para. 1 HinSchG).

We follow up all relevant reports received via our internal reporting centre and are expressly committed to protecting all whistleblowers from reprisals.

External federal reporting centres are currently established 

·         at the Federal Office of Justice

·         at the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority and

·         at the Federal Cartel Office.

All information on the responsibilities of the external reporting centres and how to contact them can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Justice: 

External federal reporting centre at the Federal Office of Justice