GERMAN SUPPLY CHAIN ACT (LkSG)

You are dealing with the LkSG for the first time?

As a supplier, you are facing new requirements?

You are looking for support in implementing the LkSG?

OBLIGATIONS ALONG THE ENTIRE SUPPLY
CHAIN

Since 1 January, 2023, the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz - LkSG) will place an obligation on more than 600 German companies: compliance with human rights and environmental obligations among direct and indirect suppliers will become a mandatory part of entrepreneurial action. The obligation is based on the number of employees: The limit was 3,000 employees in 2023 and 1,000 in 2024. Violations can result in severe fines and unforeseeable damage to a company's reputation. So what needs to be done? Human rights and environmental risks must be identified, assessed and, if possible, eliminated. The adoption of a policy statement, an anonymous complaints system, the definition of preventive and remedial measures as well as the implementation of regular analyses as part of risk management represent the central pillars of the LkSG.

With our broad LkSG service portfolio, BECEPTUM is your partner of choice when it comes to defining and implementing all necessary measures, from gap analysis to employee training.

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

INFO WORKSHOP

Our compact workshop on the LkSG offers a well-founded introduction to the topic and about the requirements of the law as well as first implementation steps.

SELECTION IT-TOOL

We support you in the selection of a supply chain law-compliant IT tool that supports you in the implementation of the legal requirements or carries them out autonomously. We will find the right software for your needs.

CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS

Analysis of your sample contracts with a special focus on quality management and individual formulation proposals to contractually secure your quality claims.

MATURITY ANALYSIS

Analysis of your organisation, your business model and your third-country intensity in order to identify individual, prioritised needs for action and to translate them into priority-timed measures.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

We work with you to develop the policy statement on the human rights strategy for your company with clear guidelines on how to prevent, remedy and minimise human rights and environmental risks.

Communication strategy

Development of an adequate PR strategy for the communication of the implemented measures and standards. If required, we support you in reputation management.

Risk Management

We support you in setting up and expanding a risk management system that complies with the Supply Chain Act.

Screening of the Supply Chain

In complex and critical situations: Manual forensic screening of your suppliers and development of selection criteria for supplier selection.

AUDIT & STRESS TEST

Regular and random audits of the grievance system, individual suppliers and the Human Rights Officer.

Human Rights Officer

We support you in setting up the function, selecting and training the human rights representative. Beceptum can also provide the position of human rights representative in your company on an interim or long-term basis. Our MRBs are all TÜV-certified. If required, we can train your employees as human rights officers and provide further training on a regular basis.

preventive measures

A clear formulation of requirements in supply contracts and the anchoring of control measures vis-à-vis immediate suppliers protects you from risks.

DOCUMENTATION

The fulfilment of due diligence obligations must be documented internally and externally on an ongoing basis and without delay. We support you in setting up and expanding a suitable documentation system.

Risk Analysis

We support you in the introduction and implementation of a risk analysis that complies with the Supply Chain Act. Together with you, we develop a suitable system for processing the results of the risk analysis.

Internal training

We conduct initial and regular training for employees in the relevant business and functional areas. These are documented for the company in a legally secure manner and the participants receive a certificate.

REMEDIAL ACTIONS

We work with you to develop appropriate remedial actions for your own business unit (internal) and direct suppliers (external). If necessary, we will also carry out these measures for you.

Complaints procedure

We support you in setting up and developing a supply chain law-compliant grievance procedure with a code of practice and, if required, operations.

Trainings for suppliers

Implementation, continuation and evaluation of suitable measures to qualify suppliers for the requirements of the LkSG. Such trainings may be financed by state funds (develoPPP).

PROJECT COORDINATION

THE CHAIN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS
THE WEAKEST LINK

IMPLEMENTING THE LKSG

The implementation of the LkSG is a company-wide obligation, thus creating new responsibilities and interfaces. The starting point is the Declaration of Principles which must be adopted by management and which describes the essential features of handling corporate due diligence obligations. The Human Rights Officer is responsible for the implementation of the policy statement and is given far-reaching power and reporting duties for this purpose. To allow for an anonymous and barrier-free reporting of violations of the LkSG by indirect and direct suppliers, the creation of a complaints system will form the centrepiece of the process landscape, together with a structured risk analysis of the supplier portfolio. Procurement and Compliance will therefore become the responsible key units for overarching risk management, defining appropriate preventive and remedial measures. The mandatory regular and ad hoc control of processes and systems can be carried out by the internal Audit department.