We ourselves attach great importance to a corporate culture of integrity and sustainability. We are guided by our five core values:

  • Trust,
  • Transparency,
  • Team Spirit,
  • Passion,
  • and Ownership.

 

However, the key to our success also lies in our future orientation which manifests itself in our responsibility towards our environment and society. That is why we are committed to high environmental and social standards in our company and within our supply chain.

In summary: Sustainability is the core of our business model and at the same time, an integral part of our entrepreneurial actions. 

As a software provider in the field of Governance and Corporate Compliance, it is our duty to be a role model for sustainable business. We must not rest on the positive impact of our products. I have therefore made it my task to develop EQS Group into a model company in our industry in the areas of the environment and social issues.

Achim Weick, CEO –
EQS Group AG

Environment – Our commitment to the environment

Environmental protection is of great importance to us. Therefore, we are constantly introducing resourceful and sustainable processes in our company.

At our locations, we are continuously optimising our circular economy and paying attention to resource conservation. There is a particular focus on preventing use of plastic and reduce waste generation. At our Munich headquarters, for example, we offer our employees reusable containers to minimize the amount of packaging material used for takeaway meals during lunch breaks. In addition, we support projects in disaster management, environmental protection and species protection. During the Ahr Valley flood disaster in the summer of 2021, we were able to make a donation to an aid organisation for the purchase of needed equipment.

We already use green electricity from renewable sources at our main locations in Germany. This also applies to some of the data centers where we operate our products for our customers. We also contribute to minimizing our carbon footprint by encouraging our employees to use bicycles or public transport for their daily commute, while air travel and cars are only permitted for business trips in exceptional circumstances.

For the first time we have recently prepared a voluntary report on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG Report, Scope 1, 2 and 3). The audit was conducted by TÜV Rheinland and is based on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and DIN EN ISO 14064:2019. In 2021, we emitted 562 metric tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) with our business activities. Detailed information can be found in our current Sustainability Report in the chapter “Business resource conservation “. In the future, we intend to provide transparent information on our GHG emissions on an annual basis.

ESG Environment Icon

Social – Our commitment to our employees, partners and society

ESG_Environment-Icon

With our Code of Conduct, we are committed to maintaining high social and ethical standards. We place great value on diversity and we are proud of our multinational teams. We are convinced that success and a good working atmosphere come from respectful and trust-based teamwork. In addition, our values promote a working environment characterised by equal opportunities for all employees. We live these values every day with the help of our ten principles for successful cooperation and achieve a high level of employee satisfaction as a result (4.2 stars out of 5 in the 2021 employee survey).

We also expect our business partners to implement the same high social standards and oblige them to comply with them through our Business Partner Code of Conduct. In the joint code of conduct, we pass on our high standards in connection with human rights, fair working conditions and anti-corruption to our business partners.

Outside of our company, we are involved in areas of anti-corruption and IT education for women.

Governance – Experts for good corporate governance for more than 20 years

With our products, we have been supporting companies and organisations in maintaining and complying with ethical standards and laws for more than 20 years. In this way, we help to prevent unacceptable actions and uncover abuses.

However, sustainability is also firmly anchored in our corporate culture and in all areas of corporate management. Sustainability is a top priority at EQS Group, which means that our CEO is responsible for the strategy, communication and implementation of measures. Our company guidelines, commitments and principles are transparent for everyone and are both actively communicated and demanded by the CEO. We live these clear guidelines with our managers, employees, suppliers, partners and shareholders.

We cultivate responsible corporate governance and therefore support any further development of the German Corporate Governance Code that contributes to increasing the transparency of corporate processes and strengthening investor confidence. In our Declaration of Compliance, we have declared our commitment to the recommendations of the “Government Commission on the German Corporate Governance Code” as amended on 16 December 2019.

As an active member of various professional associations, e.g., the German Institute for Compliance (DICO), the Professional Association of Compliance Managers (BCM) and Le Cercle de la Compliance in France, we deepen our knowledge of anti-corruption, compliance, business ethics and data protection while passing on our know-how in the form of expert lectures.

ESG Governance Icon

Compliance @ EQS Group

As one of the leading European providers of compliance software, the topic of compliance is firmly anchored in our corporate DNA. Our Code of Conduct forms the basis for our shared values and behaviours. In addition, we live a speak-up and listen-up culture where the open and early addressing of grievances is encouraged and acts as a form of preventative risk management. Our employees can anonymously report grievances through our internal whistleblowing system EQS Ethics Line.

Our participation in the UN Global Compact

A sustainable environment and society can only be achieved if many individual actors pull together. EQS Group AG also wants to assume global responsibility and is therefore committed to the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. We are therefore part of the world’s largest initiative for responsible corporate governance and we contribute to a fairer and more sustainable global economy.

The UN Global Compact was founded in 1999 on the initiative of then Secretary General Kofi Annan. It defines a common system of values for companies and interest groups that want to strategically anchor sustainability issues. The focus is on ten principles in the areas of human rights, working conditions and anti-corruption. More than 14,000 companies across the world are already part of the initiative.

UN GLobal Compact - Endorser Logo

Our commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations include 17 concrete targets as a compass for a more just and sustainable future. In addition to politics and civil society, business is also called to act. We are committed to the UN goals and in particular, make an active contribution to five SDGs through our business.

 

Sustainable Development Goals in the EQS Group focus:

 

SDG Icon - Gender Equality
SDG Icon - Decent work and economic growth
SD
SDG Icon - Climate action
SDG Icon - Peace Justice and strong Institutions

Sustainability reporting

For the financial year 2021, EQS Group AG has prepared its first comprehensive sustainability report, which you can view here.

The content of the sustainability report follows the GRI standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). We want to inform our stakeholders transparently about key areas of action, measures, targets and key figures.

Watch a video with Achim Weick, CEO, on the publication of EQS Group AG’s first sustainability report.

Rating

In the latest EthiFinance 2022 ESG Performance Rating, based on data for the year 2021, EQS Group received a rating of 48/100 points. The result matches the value of the benchmark. This shows an 16-point improvement compared to the previous year (32/100 points: Due to an adjustment of the calculation basis, past ratings were also adjusted retrospectively). Thus, the continuous and intensified efforts of EQS Group regarding sustainability issues are clearly reflected in the results.

This non-financial rating assesses the degree of transparency and the performance of companies in relation to environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria as well as in relation to external stakeholders. Founded in 2004, EthiFinance is an independent French player in financial and non-financial rating, research and consulting. The rating agency is specialised in assessing the ESG performance of companies listed on European markets.

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