Whistleblower and whistleblower protection

What is a whistleblower system?

A whistleblower system serves as a central point of contact for HMS employees, business partners, customers and other stakeholders to draw attention to misconduct without fear of reprisals. Whistleblowers are particularly important for maintaining an open and transparent society, as they have the courage to expose misconduct with their information.

What offences can be reported?

The Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) relates to whistleblowing in the area of EU and national law. The law applies, among other things, to reports and disclosures of information about

• Violations that are punishable by law,
• violations that are subject to fines, insofar as the violated provision serves to protect life, limb or health or to protect the rights of employees or their representative bodies or their representative bodies,
• other violations of federal and state legislation as well as directly applicable legal acts of the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, 
• Money laundering regulations, product safety, environmental protection, consumer protection and fair competition, data protection, information technology security.
  A complete list of possible notifications and disclosures can be found in Section 2 HinSchG.

The whistleblower is only protected under Section 33 HinSchG if, at the time of the report or disclosure, they had reasonable grounds to believe that the reported or disclosed information is true and the information concerns violations that fall within the scope of this Act, or the whistleblower had reasonable grounds to believe that this was the case at the time of the report or disclosure.

How can a report be made?

A report can be made by e-mail, telephone, post or by meeting in person.

Email: hinweisgebersystem(at)analytical-software.de
Phone: +49 6221 6051 -140 (Elisabeth Kohm) oder -168 (Melanie Fuchs)
Post: confidential for the attention of Mrs Elisabeth Kohm or Mrs Melanie Fuchs

Anonymous reports are also possible. A form should be chosen in which queries and feedback from HMS are possible, e.g. by (anonymous) e-mail.