Whistleblower System of the Volkswagen Group
Our Whistleblower System
Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at Volkswagen Group. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. That is why the Central Intelligence Office operates an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblowing system for us.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated
and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.
This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Volkswagen Group will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.
How do we process your report?
The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by a Volkswagen Group employee thoroughly and
follow it up systematically. First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay.
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and
indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office - as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
Find more information on the procedural principles of the Volkswagen Group Complaints Procedure here.
* The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure.
Do you have any concern or feedback regarding a Volkswagen product or service?
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding products, feedback or complaints about services provided by Volkswagen or our business partners (e.g. car dealerships, workshops), please contact Volkswagen Customer Care via customercare@volkswagen.de or use the Dialog Center provided for this purpose.
We kindly ask for your understanding that the Whistleblower System unfortunately cannot process customer complaints.
Making a report to our Whistleblower System
The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary.
However this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.
You have the option of using a web-based communication platform BKMS to contact the Investigation Office in many languages. This system is confidential and technically secured. Even if your preferred language is not offered in the reporting channel, you can use any language to submit your report. You can also contact the Investigation Office in any language via e-mail or mail.
You can get in contact with the Central Investigation Office of the Volkswagen AG via e-mail: io@volkswagen.de
You can make a report at any time using the international toll-free number: +800 444 46300*
If your local telephone provider does not support the toll-free service, you can call the following chargeable number:
+49 5361 946300.
* Depending on the country you are calling from, it is possible that the international toll-free hotline is not available since some telephone network providers do not support the service. If so, please use the offered chargeable number or your country specific number.
Country specific numbers:
- Brazil
0800-5912743 (Toll Free Number)
021-23911381 (Local Number)
- Mexico
001-800-4610242 (Toll Free Number)
0155-71000355 (Local Number)
- Slovak Republic
0800-002576 (Toll Free Number)
02-33325602 (Local Number)
- USA
833-6571574 (Toll Free Number)
908-2198092 (Local Number)
- South Africa
0800-99483 (Toll Free Number)
021-1003533 (Local Number)
- Malaysia
1-800-819523 (Toll Free Number)
0154-600099 (Local Number)
- Argentina
0800-6662992 (Toll Free Number)
011-52528632 (Local Number)
Postal address: Volkswagen AG
Central Investigation Office
Mailbox 1717
Berliner Ring 2
38436 Wolfsburg
Germany
In person: Please make an appointment in advance by writing an E-mail to io@volkswagen.de.
Ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. They advise on the Whistleblower System or ensure that reports from whistleblowers are forwarded anonymously to the Investigation Office if desired.
If you want to get in contact with the Ombudsperson you can find their contact details here: https://www.ombudsmen-of-volkswagen.com/
Please find the declaration of data protection for reports here: Declaration of data protection for the Whistleblower System of the Volkwagen Group.
Questions or suggestions for improvements to the Whistleblower System can also be directed to the Central Investigation Office.
If you were interviewed as part of an investigation, you have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Ombudsperson as an independent party.
How do I make a report?
It is important to make sure the information contained in the report you submit to the Investigation Office is as concrete as possible so that it can be processed and investigated in an appropriate manner.
It is helpful if your report covers the following five questions:
Who? What? When? How? Where?
Please make sure that the descriptions contained in your report can be easily understood by persons who are not specialists in your field. It would be helpful if you are available to answer further questions. If you would be willing to do so, but wish to remain anonymous to the company, please contact the ombudspersons or use the Online Reporting Channel to make your report.
In case of violations of regulations on data protection we kindly ask you to contact the Data-Breach-Hotline (+49 5361-9-28479) of the Volkswagen AG.
Responsible for content
The Volkswagen Investigation Office is responsible for the content of this page.
Volkswagen AG
Central Investigation Office
Mailbox 1717
Berliner Ring 2
38436 Wolfsburg
Germany