Mercedes 2004 Annual Report Download - page 93

If any information is made public outside Germany as a result of
the regulations governing capital markets in the respective
countries, we also make this information available without delay
in Germany in the original version, or at least in English. In order
to ensure that information is provided quickly, DaimlerChrysler
makes full use of the Internet, but also of other methods of com-
munication. All the dates of important disclosures (e.g. the
Annual Report, interim reports, the Annual Meeting) are published
in advance in a Finance Calendar. The Financial Calendar can be
seen inside the rear cover of this Annual Report and on the Internet
at www.daimlerchrysler.com/ir/calendar.
In addition to its regular scheduled reporting, DaimlerChrysler
reports, without delay and in accordance with applicable law, any
so-called inside information which directly affects the company
(ad-hoc disclosure).
In accordance with the requirements of the law, DaimlerChrysler
also reports without delay after receiving notification that by
means of acquisition, disposal or any other method, the share-
holding in DaimlerChrysler AG of any person or institution has
reached, exceeded or fallen below 5, 10, 25, 50 or 75 percent of
the company’s voting rights.
Any securities transactions conducted by members of the Board of
Management or the Supervisory Board or certain senior officers
who have regular access to inside information and who are
authorized to take significant business decisions (or by related
parties as defined by the German Securities Trading Law) are
disclosed by DaimlerChrysler without delay after the company is
informed of such transactions (directors’ dealings), in accordance
with the requirements of the German Securities Trading Law.
The relevant details are given in the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements (see note 38), and, in accordance with
the requirements of the law, are also available on the Internet at
www.daimlerchrysler.com/corpgov_e.
Integrity Code defines worldwide standards of behavior. The
Integrity Code is a guideline for behavior that has been in effect
since 1999 and which was revised in 2003. It defines binding limits
to the activities of all employees worldwide and is regularly
referred to. Adherence to this code is monitored by the Internal
Audit department. Among other things, the Integrity Code
contains rules of conduct for international transactions and for any
conflicts of interests that may occur, questions of equality, the
exclusion of corruption, the role of internal monitoring systems, the
right to the fulfillment of statutory standards, and other internal
and external regulations.
Code of Ethics. In July 2003, the Supervisory Board approved a
Code of Ethics for DaimlerChrysler AG. This code addresses the
members of the Board of Management and a large number of
senior officers who have a significant influence on planning and
reporting in the context of the year-end and interim financial
statements. The provisions of the code aim to prevent mistakes
by the persons addressed and to promote ethical behavior as
well as the complete, appropriate, accurate, timely and clear
publication of information on the Group. The wording of the Code
of Ethics can be seen on the Internet at
www.daimlerchrysler.com/corpgov_e.
Risk management. DaimlerChrysler has a risk-management
system commensurate with its position as a company with global
operations (see pages 38 ff). The risk-management system is
one component of the overall planning, controlling and reporting
process. Its goal is to enable the company’s management to
recognize significant risks at an early stage and to initiate appro-
priate countermeasures in a timely manner. The Chairman of
the Supervisory Board has regular contacts with the Board of
Management not only to discuss the Group’s strategy and
business developments, but also to discuss the issue of risk
management. The Internal Audit department monitors adherence
to the legal framework and Group standards by means of targeted
audits, and, if required, initiates appropriate actions.
Accounting principles. The consolidated financial statements of
the DaimlerChrysler Group are prepared in accordance with
United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
Details of US GAAP can be found in the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements (see note 1).
The year-end financial statements of DaimlerChrysler AG, which
is the parent company, are prepared in accordance with the
accounting guidelines of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
Both sets of financial statements are audited by an independent
company of auditors.
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