Bertelsmann continually examines the strategic development of its corporate responsibility (CR). This involves matters of anchoring CR in the organization, cross-divisional coordination and collaboration, and transparency regarding the main topics prioritized for the Group, its divisions and companies. The Bertelsmann Corporate Responsibility Council, headed by the Chief HR Officer, regularly brings together high-ranking representatives of the operating divisions. Together, they advance the strategic development of CR at Bertelsmann. At Group level, the Corporate Responsibility & Diversity Management Department coordinates and supports the CR Council’s work, reporting to the Group’s Chief HR Officer. At Bertelsmann, CR projects and measures are implemented in a decentralized manner by the divisions and companies.

Bertelsmann has established an extensive Integrity & Compliance program. Based on the Bertelsmann Essentials, the document underlying it is the Bertelsmann Code of Conduct, which codifies mandatory ethical and lawful conduct for all employees. More detailed guidelines have been issued on key issues such as anticorruption, antitrust law, foreign trade and compliance by business partners. Employees are fully trained and advised, and compliance violations are not tolerated. Suspected infringements are promptly investigated, and any infringements are immediately remedied. The effectiveness of the program is ensured by regular evaluations and risk-oriented adjustments.

Further information on corporate responsibility at Bertelsmann, and the annual reporting, can be found online at www.bertelsmann.com/corporate-responsibility