Our Whistleblower System
Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at the Volkswagen Group. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. That is why the Central Investigation Office operates an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblowing system for us.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated
and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.
This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at the Volkswagen Group will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.
How do we process a report?
The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by a Volkswagen Group employee thoroughly and follow it up systematically. First, whistleblowers will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses their report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterward, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be provided without undue delay.
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office – as well as reports otherwise requiring immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
More information on the respective procedural principles can be found here.
* The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure.
Making a report to our Whistleblower System
The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct or potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers in our Supply Chain, that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary.
However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.
Online Reporting Channel
There is the option of using the web-based communication platform BKMS to contact the Investigation Office in many languages. This system is confidential and technically secured. Even if the preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, the report can be filed in any other language. It is also possible to contact the Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail.
The Central Investigation Office of the Volkswagen AG can be reached via e-mail: io@volkswagen.de
24/7 Hotline
Reports to our whistleblower system can be filed at any time using the international toll-free number: +800 444 46300*
If a local telephone provider does not support the toll-free service, the following chargeable number can be used: +49 5361 946300.
* In some countries, not all telephone providers support the toll-free international hotline. In such cases, please use the offered chargeable number or the country specific number.
Country specific numbers:
- Brazil
0800-5912743 (Toll Free Number)
021-23911381 (Local Number)
- Mexico
800-4610242 (Toll Free Number)
55-71000355 (Local Number)
- Slovak Republic
0800-002576 (Toll Free Number)
02-33325602 (Local Number)
- USA
833-6571574 (Toll Free Number)
908-2198092 (Local Number)
- South Africa
0800-99483 (Toll Free Number)
021-1003533 (Local Number)
- Malaysia
1-800-819523 (Toll Free Number)
0154-6000099 (Local Number)
- Argentina
0800-6662992 (Toll Free Number)
011-52528632 (Local Number)
Postal address and in person
Postal address:
Volkswagen AG
Central Investigation Office
Mailbox 1717
Berliner Ring 2
38440 Wolfsburg
Germany
In person: Please make an appointment in advance by writing an e-mail to io@volkswagen.de.
Ombudspersons
Ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. They advise on the Whistleblower System or ensure that reports from whistleblowers are forwarded anonymously to the Investigation Office if desired.
People who want to get in contact with the Ombudspersons can find their contact details here: https://www.ombudsmen-of-volkswagen.com/
External Reporting Channels
We encourage reporting of misconduct via the internal reporting channels. However, in view of the EU Whistleblowing Directive, EU member states have defined (or will soon define) designated authorities that also accept reports on misconduct as external reporting channels.
An overview of these external reporting channels is available under this link.
Declaration of data protection
The declaration of data protection for reports can be found here: Declaration of data protection for the Whistleblower System of the Volkwagen Group.
Questions or suggestions for improvements to the Whistleblower System can also be directed to the Central Investigation Office.
Having been interviewed as part of an investigation, there is the opportunity to provide feedback to the Ombudsperson as an independent party.
How do I make a report?
It is important to make sure the information contained in a report submitted to the Investigation Office is as concrete as possible so that it can be processed and investigated in an appropriate manner.
It is helpful if the report covers the following five questions:
Who? What? When? How? Where?
Whistleblowers are asked to make sure that the descriptions contained in a report can be easily understood by persons who are not specialists in the field. It will be helpful if whistleblowers are available to answer further questions. Persons who are willing to do so, but wish to remain anonymous to the company, please contact the ombudspersons or use the Online Reporting Channel to make the report.
In case of violations of regulations on data protection, please contact the Data-Breach-Hotline (+49 5361-9-28479) of the Volkswagen AG.
This video shows why the whistleblower system is a central and important part of the company and how it works.
