Audi 2012 Annual Report Download - page 270

273
Corporate Governance Report
271 Corporate governance
273 Corporate management
declaration
273 Compliance
274 Risk management
275 Communication and
transparency
275 System of remuneration for
the Supervisory Board and
Board of Management
276 Mandates of the
Board of Management
277 Mandates of the
Supervisory Board
CORPORATE MANAGEMENT DECLARATION
The corporate management declaration pursuant to Section 289a of the German Commercial
Code (HGB) is permanently available on the Internet at www.audi.com/corporate-management.
COMPLIANCE
Ensuring that corporate decisions are made in accordance with the relevant laws, internal rules
and values is a fundamental aspect of corporate management at AUDI AG. In light of this, a
preventive approach to the concept of compliance has been developed by Governance, Risk &
Compliance. As part of this approach the analysis of commercial and legal risks is bracketed
together both organizationally and thematically. This area is headed up by the Chief Compliance
Officer, who reports directly to the Chairman of the Board of Management. The Chief Compliance
Officer’s remit includes in particular advising and supporting the Board of Management, as well
as coordinating all necessary measures to assure compliance. He or she also reports on behalf of
the Board of Management to the Audit Committee of AUDI AG’s Supervisory Board on compliance-
related issues. Additionally, the individual divisions of AUDI AG each have risk compliance coordi-
nators, who act as multipliers in relation to compliance issues. The Audi Group’s compliance
concept and the relevant structure and approach are set out in an internal Board Directive.
In order to ensure that they are familiar with the relevant rules, all new employees are invited to
special events that provide an introduction to compliance and the Audi codes of conduct. Internal
communications on compliance have been stepped up further with the “Protect what you love”
campaign, encompassing brochures, films, articles in the staff newspaper and information on
the intranet. The department also held a one-week event at which employees at the Ingolstadt
plant could learn about compliance issues and have any questions answered on a one-to-one
basis.
At the same time, compliance activities have been promoted at both national and international
level. Preventive measures in the areas of anti-corruption and cartel law were a particular focus
of the compliance program. Training sessions were carried out on-site for employees in Ingolstadt
and Neckarsulm, and information brochures were distributed and published on the intranet. A
reporting system has also been created, using which the subsidiaries can report to Governance,
Risk & Compliance on their compliance activities on a regular basis.
In order to detect and prevent corruption within the Company, AUDI AG is connected to the
Volkswagen Group’s global anti-corruption system. Independent lawyers, acting as ombudsmen,
and the Volkswagen Group’s Anti-Corruption Officer are the points of contact on such matters,
including with regard to anonymous information. Audi employees are advised by Governance,
Risk & Compliance on the admissibility of giving and accepting invitations and gifts.
Moreover, the early identification and evaluation of risks is a key aspect of AUDI AG’s approach
to compliance. Compliance interviews are conducted on a successive basis in the divisions, and in
addition to the standardized risk survey organized throughout the Audi Group, compliance risks
are identified and risk-controlling measures initiated.