The globalised economy with increasingly complex supply chains and growing competitive pressure harbours the risk of human rights violations. Companies therefore have an increasing responsibility to effectively protect these rights in their own business activities and along the value chain. Companies have a responsibility to respect human rights. They are important social actors that influence local structures and people's lives through their business activities and business relationships. They bear the risk that their activities - directly or indirectly - have a negative impact on human rights. This is partly due to the increasing integration of economic activities worldwide and the fact that supply chains have become longer and more complex in recent decades. Recognising this risk is part of corporate responsibility. The following questions need to be asked: Which activities could have a negative impact on human rights at which point in the supply chain? How likely are the negative impacts and how serious are they? Only a company identifying and recognising the risks can avoid or mitigate adverse impacts. 

Corporate behaviour can adversely affect human rights protected by international conventions along the entire supply chain for all products in a wide range of ways. These human rights include, for example, the prohibition of child labour, protection against slavery and forced labour, freedom from discrimination, protection against unlawful deprivation of land, occupational health and safety and protection against health hazards in connection with occupational activities, the prohibition of withholding a fair wage, the right to form trade unions or to name employee representatives, the prohibition of causing harmful soil or water pollution as well as protection against torture.

This means that human rights and environmental due diligence obligations are an integral part of corporate due diligence, which in turn forms one of the pillars of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The LkSG is, therefore, the national legal codification for the binding implementation of these guiding principles in business activities for the benefit of people and the environment.

GSI & FAIR create jobs, purchase goods and services internationally and utilise local resources. Hence, we have an impact on the living and working conditions of employees as well as on other direct and indirect stakeholders and affected parties: customers, suppliers, local residents, the economic and social situation and the environment. This applies both our own business area and along the entire supply and value chains. As a result of these actions and effects, there is a fundamental risk of violations of human rights. This risk is increased by the fact that electronic assemblies, magnets and machine components such as those used at GSI & FAIR may contain critical raw materials and in certain cases originate from countries where compliance with human rights is not always guaranteed. GSI & FAIR are, therefore, affected by these issues.

The fulfilment of the human rights and environmental due diligence obligations set out in the LkSG is a high priority for GSI & FAIR. Violations can have serious consequences for our company, our employees, our business partners and other affected parties. It is, therefore, important to recognise them at an early stage in order to initiate appropriate countermeasures and avert potential damage. Information from internal and external persons is a key way in which risks and violations can be recognised. One of the duties of due diligence is, therefore, to set up and operate a complaints procedure.