Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 26-Sep-2022
Time period
  • September 2021  –  September 2022
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer
  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • To our stakeholders:

    I am pleased to confirm that Syntax Systems GmbH & Co. KG reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

    In this annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture and daily operations. We also commit to share this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    A successful company is no longer characterized simply by positive business results, but far more by responsibility. At Syntax, we see it as our duty to support issues such as sustainability, diversity, inclusion and a fair, safe working and business environment. For we believe that business must play a key role in shaping a better world.

    Sincerely yours,
    Ralf Sürken

    CEO Syntax Systems GmbH & Co. KG

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • Syntax is expressly committed to the protection of human rights and promotes their ob-observance within
    its sphere of influence. Syntax does not tolerate any discrimination, racist statements or harassment in the
    work environment with regard to age, disabilities, origin, gender, political stance, religion, ideology or sexual
    orientation.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • Consideration of the principles of respect for human rights are anchored in the Syntax Code of Conduct.
    With the Code, the Executive Board strengthens ethical standards throughout the company and creates a
    working environment based on integrity, respect and fair conduct. Compliance with the Code of Conduct is
    mandatory for all employees, and all employees are made aware of the contents of the Code as part of regular
    training's.

    • Syntax encourages its employees and business partners to actively address potential risks and violations.
    In addition to the relevant contacts in HR the head of legal is available for this purpose.

    • In order to counter human rights violations in the supply chain, Syntax includes relevant aspects in its
    supplier screening and evaluation.

    • Syntax has established a strategic sustainability enhancement program

    • Sustainability is standard agenda point within the quarterly review of the Board of Management.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • In the reporting period, no information was brought to the attention of the Syntax regarding the violation
    of human rights or discrimination against minorities in the course of its business activities. Syntax
    was not involved in any investigations and/or legal cases relating to possible human rights violations.

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • The requirements and challenges that the company faces in the different regions, as well as the diverse and constantly changing conditions and regulations, require the standards of conduct to be regulated for all employees. Syntax is committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations, promoting fairness, and respecting cultural differences, assuming social responsibility and protecting the environment and the well-being of our employees. These principles, on which the Code of Conduct of Syntax is based, create the framework conditions for a climate of trust, teamwork, innovation, customer orientation and the long-term success of our company. At Syntax, we pride ourselves on our strong commitment to the highest ethical standards in running our businesses around the world. The key to maintaining the trust of the public, as well as our customers, business partners and other stakeholders, is the integrity and law-abiding behavior of our employees. Syntax believes that commercial success should not be the only measure of success, but that success should be balanced with the fulfillment of our corporate values. Syntax expect these high values from our business partners too.

    These policies are documented and published to all employee of Syntax.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • Key principles are laid down in the Syntax Code of Conduct. These consistently speak out against any kind of discrimination.
    Every Employee has acknowledge these principles. The legal department constantly monitors together with the Workers Council of Syntax and the HR department the compliance with these principles.
    Syntax has setup a safety department which constantly monitoring and mitigation of any safety risk of their employees. Results are shared with HR and Workers Council.
    Syntax has established a detailed safety training program for all employees.
    Syntax has setup a supplier evaluation and screening before on boarding to the supply chain of syntax.
    The code of conduct is published on the web site of Syntax.
    Syntax encourages its employees and business partners to actively address potential risks and violations.
    In addition to the relevant contacts in HR the head of legal is available for this purpose

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • Syntax was not involved in any investigations and/or legal disputes in connection with the above
    principles in the reporting period.

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • An adequate sustainability policy for the protection of the environment is an essential building block for Syntax, in connection with the pursuit of long-term corporate goals.The Executive Board of the Syntax adopted a sustainability strategy. In order to achieve the goals of the sustainability strategy, Syntax is consistently working on the implementation of measures that enable a reduction of negative impacts on the environment. The main cornerstone of this strategy are:
    - Energy efficient IT
    - Environmental standards
    - Mobility (“Green Fleet”)
    - Sustainability among suppliers, customers, and partners

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • Workplace

    – Syntax wide introduction of a modern Workplace of the Future based to reduce business travel by Syntax employees.
    - Consequent offer of home office working reduces the travel to the office and reduces the CO2 footprint of Syntax employees

    Office Building
    - The heating an electrical energy uses co-generation of electricity and heating.

    Data centers
    – Focus on virtualization and optimized cooling and air conditioning systems to reduce power consumption.
    – Use of modern power monitoring tools that make it possible to measure power consumption, performance at various measuring points and thus better allocate them to consumers / consumption groups.
    - energy generation is based on co-generation of electricity, heating, cooling and achieves a very high primary energy efficiency of up to 85%. In addition, the CO2 saving compared to the average German electricity mix is approx. 50%.

    Car Policy
    – CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are key criteria in the procurement of new vehicles for the Group fleet.
    - The average CO2 impact per vehicle has thus been significantly reduced in recent years.
    – The Car Policy will be continuously expanded to include e-vehicles.

    Syntax Sustainability Program
    - Syntax has established a strategic sustainability enhancement program
    - Sustainability is standard agenda point within the quarterly review of the Board of Management.
    - Syntax performs regularly energy consumption audits to evaluate the performance of the measurements by an in depended party.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • The Syntax is not aware of any potentially environmentally damaging incidents in connection with the
    Group's business activities in the reporting period

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • Syntax does not tolerate any form of corruption or bribery and has formulated clear guidelines which are continuously communicated to employees. Syntax has setup a corporate governance to monitor the Compliance and Preventing corruption and bribery. The anti-corruption policy is part of the Syntax Code of Conduct.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • Law Abiding
    Syntax and its employees act in accordance with the applicable laws at all times. Compliance with legal and internal regulations (e.g., accounting standards) has top priority, especially in sensitive areas such as storing and using confidential company information. If employees are legally obliged to pass on confidential information to government agencies, for example as part of investigations, this is only done to the extent that is absolutely necessary and stipulated.

    Corruption Prevention
    Syntax’s business relationships with federal, state
    and local government agencies comply with anti corruption laws. The company strictly ensures that rules for the procurement of products and services as well as requirements for public tenders are duly observed.

    Antitrust and Competition Law
    Syntax always acts in accordance with all existing trading guidelines and prevents unfair business activities thereby supporting a free, competitive market. Employees are prohibited from disclosing confidential information to third parties, for example regarding ongoing customer inquiries, product prices, pricing strategies or product development.

    To achieve these goals the governance of syntax is setup in three lines of defense model. This includes:
    - Clear responsibility structure for line management. (delegation of authority policy)
    - second line of defense organisation for monitoring and development of legal compliance, sustainability, safety, risk,information security, data privacy,
    - an in depended audit which performs risk based audits of all processes and services within a three year cycle.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • Syntax was not involved in any cases of corruption and/or bribery in the reporting period