Audi 2014 Annual Report Download - page 207

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
RISK MANAGEMENT // COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY
>> 207
Findings from the operational risk management process are
continuously being incorporated into internal planning and
control calculations. In addition, the risk officers are also
required to report any material risks that arise as a result of
unexpected external influences, doing so without delay.
In addition to ongoing operational risk management, Central
Risk Management, as the second line of defense, safeguards
the fundamental functioning of the Risk Management System
and Internal Control System. Its core activities include carrying
out a survey, which is standardized annually, in the divisions
and principal subsidiaries across the world. This survey forms
the basis for reporting, aggregated on a Group-wide basis, on
the risk situation and the effectiveness of the systems to the
Board of Management and Supervisory Board. Additionally,
Central Risk Management is also responsible for providing the
Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee with comprehensive
briefings on the Risk Management and Internal Control
Systems. As the third line of defense, Internal Audit supports
the Board of Management with the task of monitoring the
subsidiaries and divisions of AUDI AG.
Further detailed information on the Group-wide risk
management system and in-depth information on the
Internal Control System for financial reporting can be
found in the “Report on risks and opportunities” in
the Combined Management Report of the Audi Group
and AUDI AG on pages 194 ff.
COMMUNICATION AND
TRANSPARENCY
Transparency and maintaining an open dialogue are essential
components of our corporate communications. For this reason,
all key publication dates as well as the date of the Annual
General Meeting of AUDI AG are listed in our financial calendar.
This is published in the Company’s Annual Report and is also
available for public consultation at any time on our website at
www.audi.com/financialcalendar.
In addition, we publish the invitation and the agenda for our
Annual General Meeting, including any countermotions
received, on our website at www.audi.com/investor-relations
and www.audi.com/annualgeneralmeeting. Registered
shareholders may exercise their voting rights in person at
the Annual General Meeting. Alternatively, they may choose
to have their rights exercised by their chosen proxy or using a
proxy appointed by the Company and bound by their instruc-
tions. We offer an Internet-based system for the issuing of or
canceling of powers of attorney or for making changes to
instructions at www.audi.com/annualgeneralmeeting. It is
also possible for registered shareholders to view the live
broadcast of the Annual General Meeting up to the end of
the general discussion.
The provisions of Section 15 of the German Securities Trading
Act (WpHG) obliges all domestic issuers of financial instru-
ments to publish and disclose insider information that has a
direct bearing on them without delay. This regulation is in-
tended to prevent insiders from using advance knowledge to
trade shares to their advantage. This information is published
as ad hoc announcements by the Company on the Internet at
www.audi.com/investor-relations in the “News and Ad hoc”
section, under the menu item “Ad hoc announcements.” The
“News and Ad hoc” section also contains further news and
information about the Audi Group, such as reporting of voting
rights according to Sections 21 ff. of the German Securities
Trading Act (WpHG) and other legal issues. The notices and
information published there are also available in English.
Communications relating to share dealings by management
members pursuant to Section 15a of the German Securities
Trading Act (WpHG) can also be accessed at
www.audi.com/investor-relations in the “Corporate Govern-
ance” section under the menu item “Directors’ dealings.”