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Our Code of Conduct

In a rapidly changing and highly competitive world, it is vital to stay focused on what really matters to us at BASF. Our values – creative, open, responsible, and entrepreneurial – help us do this. They remind us of what BASF stands for and serve as a yardstick for how we do business.

We are strictly committed to high standards of legal compliance and business ethics. Our Code of Conduct defines the boundaries within which we as BASF employees must act to comply with laws and internal policies. By doing so, it protects BASF and each of us.

Our Code of Conduct guides us to put our values and commitments into practice – throughout the company, and in everything we do. It helps us navigate through areas and situations where responsible conduct and ethical decision-making are critically important. Only when we fully comply with our Code of Conduct, and all laws and regulations, we can achieve our aspiration to be the world’s leading chemical company, respected and trusted by our customers, investors, employees and all other stakeholders.

Our Code of Conduct cannot cover in detail the wide variety of situations we may encounter. Each of us is responsible for ensuring we understand BASF’s policies and procedures, and for maintaining the high ethical standards in every aspect of our work – even when our Code of Conduct provides no direct guidance. We are always expected to show both integrity and common sense. When in doubt, we always speak up and ask for help.

BASF Compliance Hotline
The BASF Compliance Hotline is available to all BASF employees, as well as third-parties. 
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Anti-corruption, trade control and anti-money laundering

Anti-corruption

We do business with integrity. Always, without exception.

At BASF our reputation for doing business with complete integrity is critical. We are committed to fighting any kind of corruption or bribery. We play to win, but strictly within the rules, treating all business partners fairly and competing for business based on the quality of our products and services. Naturally, we expect the same from those we do business with.   

Anti-corruption

We do not get involved in corruption – whatever form it takes. We do not offer or accept bribes and we do everything we can to prevent bribery by others who act on our behalf, for example, by appropriately checking third parties with whom we do business or who provide services.

Furthermore, “facilitation” or “grease” payments (i.e., small cash or non-cash benefits to office holders to facilitate administrative procedures or official acts, e.g., customs clearances, to which the company or the individual is entitled) are not allowed. If, however, the refusal to make facilitation payments would put your personal safety at risk, you may make such a payment but must inform your manager thereafter.

Always vigilant against corruption

Corruption can take many forms, so we are always vigilant and on the alert for any suspicious behavior, such as a business partner asking for unusually high commissions or payments in cash or refusing to accept anti-corruption contract requirements or our Supplier Code of Conduct. 

We would rather lose a business opportunity than win by means of corruption. Bribery – whether of a governmental official or in the private sector – is always wrong and has no place in our business. 

Political activity and lobbying

We conduct our lobbying and political communications in accordance with transparent guidelines, our publicly stated positions and all applicable laws. As a company, we engage in political lobbying to advance our company’s interests, but we do this transparently and do not financially support political parties or organizations close to them.

Trade control

We do business across borders. But always within legal boundaries.

We are a global company with activities and business partners all over the world. We are aware that all business relationships with domestic and international partners may be subject to trade control laws. Overall, our goal is to prevent our products from falling into the wrong hands, where there is a risk of them being misused. So, we strictly adhere to all applicable laws, including trade control regulations like embargoes, anti-terrorism laws and further regulations aimed at preventing misuse.

Trade control

We do business globally which means our activities are subject to various national and international trade laws, restricting or prohibiting the import and export of our products or services. These restrictions can be based not only on the nature of the product, but sometimes also on the country of origin or destination, or even on the identity of the customer.  

Export controls can take many forms. Besides restrictions on physical goods, software and services may also be controlled. Export controls can even apply to technology transfer, for instance the exchange of information relevant to the trade control law shared via electronic means like email or an online collaboration site or transported across borders on electronic devices. 

Trade control regulations are a sensitive topic, but our Global Trade Control Team helps us navigate within these boundaries, because employees need to be familiar with, and sensitive to, the issues of export/import controls. Take advantage of their expert knowledge if you have any questions relating to trade control regulations. 

Anti-money laundering

We are always on guard against dirty money.

At BASF, we do not allow dirty money to play any part in our business. But while it is easy to state that as a fundamental principle, protecting our company against attempts by criminals to "clean" cash and other assets generated by illegal activities is a challenge that demands constant vigilance, from us all. Because being involved in money-laundering or terrorism financing – even inadvertently – is a criminal offence. 

Anti-money laundering

We are always keen to do business, but only with reputable partners who operate within the law, using resources from legitimate sources. We carefully check the identity and credentials of potential customers, business partners and other third parties. And we take all reasonable measures to ensure transparent business relationships.

Money laundering is a deliberate attempt to move cash or assets derived from criminal activities into legal and legitimate financial activities. At BASF, we take all reasonable measures to prevent our company being used as a means to launder money. 

To protect our reputation and avoid any possible criminal liability, we need to be constantly vigilant about the activities of business partners, so we know who we are dealing with before contracts are signed, or transactions occur, and watch out for payment irregularities or suspicious behavior, on the part of customers or others.

Antitrust law, gifts and entertainment, conflict of interests

Antitrust law

We compete to win. But always fairly. 

At BASF, our aspiration is to be the world’s leading chemical company. To achieve this, we always act fairly as we know there are no short-cuts. For us, the only kind of success worth having depends on winning, and maintaining, the long-term trust of our customers and business partners.   

Antitrust law

We are committed to conducting our business solely on the basis of free and fair competition, and we strictly obey all applicable laws and regulations. We believe that fair, well-regulated competition strengthens our market and benefits our customers. 

As a market leader in various fields, BASF has special obligations under antitrust law for conducting our business in a way that promotes fair competition. We welcome this extra responsibility, and aim to lead by example, to achieve the best for our customers. 

We are aware that any violation of antitrust laws can result in heavy fines, and even imprisonment, for the company, management and individuals concerned. In the EU, for example, fines for antitrust violations could amount to up to 10% of BASF's total global sales. It is up to all of us to be alert for any situation that could potentially be seen as harmful to free and fair competition. 

For agreements between competitors (companies on the same level of the supply chain – also called horizontal agreements), the strict regulations of European antitrust law must be complied with worldwide, irrespective of local laws that may be less strict or non-existent. This also applies to “concerted practices” between competitors, which may be triggered even by a one-sided sharing or receiving of information.

Gifts and entertainment

We build great relationships. But not through gifts.

We are all in favor of doing business in a way that builds great relationships. But gifts and entertainment need to be regarded with real caution. And when there is any doubt, we ask questions, we talk to each other, we act with caution and make our actions transparent.

Gifts and entertainment

We do not consider it appropriate to accept or grant a personal benefit of any kind in connection with our professional activities. But in the course of good business relationships, a small gift or modest invitation may sometimes be offered based on what is considered reasonable and customary. In such situations, we need to exercise caution and common sense, to avoid any possible misinterpretation of motives and reputational damage. Invitations may be okay with regard to our internal rules but may have a bad taste due to the situation and other circumstances.

We think carefully and only offer or accept gifts which have a moderate value and are understood to be simply business courtesies, and not an attempt to induce us to act unprofessionally, or to misuse our position. We also pay attention to the image that can be created due to the external circumstances and the overall situation. We use the same standard when deciding whether to offer or accept a gift. We do not offer or accept cash or cash equivalents such as gift cards or shopping vouchers.

We are particularly cautious when dealing with public officials or government representatives because we adhere to the often very strict rules that govern this in many countries.

Conflict of interests

We take care of business. Not our own personal interests.

It may sound obvious that when we are at work, all our actions and decisions should be based on what's best for the business. But conflicts of interest - situations where personal gain may influence our professional judgment - can and do arise. It is vitally important that we know how to recognize potential conflicts of this kind, and that we disclose them before any damage is done to the trust our company's success is built upon. 

Conflicts of interest

We are well aware that our personal relationships and interests should never affect our business activities or influence our decision-making, in any way. We need to be careful to avoid situations where a conflict between private and professional may arise – or, just as important, where it may appear to do so. 

This means, for example, that we should not make any investment, or enter into any relationship, that may cause others to doubt our fairness, integrity or ability to perform our duties fairly objectively. 

It is important to make the point that having a conflict of interest is not, in itself, misconduct – but the way we handle it could be. It is all about transparency; if we suspect a possible conflict, we need to raise it with our manager, without delay. 

Human rights, labor and social standards

Environmental protection, health and safety