The German Supply Chain Law – in German known as the Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz (LkSG) requires German companies to complete human rights and environmental due diligence and risk management. The German Government passed this law in 2021, effective January 1, 2023.
DB Schenker is expected to comply with the law, both as 100% daughter of DB and in our own right. With our headquarters in Germany, employing more than 3,000 employees, we have an independent obligation to meet the requirements of the law.
The law aims at the protection of human rights and the environment. But did you know that DB Schenker global subsidiaries must also comply with the law? Because DB Schenker is headquartered in Germany, its subsidiaries and their supply chains are also subject to the LkSG. This means that this German law has a global impact.
What does the law mean for DB Schenker companies?
The law aims at the protection of human rights and the environment.
Internal and external publication of a declaration of principles including our human rights and environmental risks, our priorities, and how we plan to manage them moving forward
Understand where we might be at risk of contributing to human rights or environmental violations, either through our own business operations or within our supply chain
Ensure we have a good system in place to work through risks when we find them, including embedding this into all relevant business processes (e.g. supplier sourcing)
Making sure we take the right actions to prevent any risks from turning into violations
When we do find violations or imminent violations, making sure we act right away to prevent, end, or minimize these violations
Provide a way for human rights and environmental risks to be reported to us so that we can act on them
Keeping good records of the risks we find, how we handle them, and how effective our actions are, and once per year report on our compliance to the government
We will continue to engage with our suppliers to ensure good information sharing. An important part is to know what to expect, meaning how the law will impact you as our business partners.
Get further information on the latest news regarding our activities and what to expect next, here on dbschenker.com. Visit this page to stay informed about the latest updates and frequently asked questions.
Expect the following updates in the future:
At DB Schenker, we take responsibility for our work in Germany, as well as in other countries. As the foundation of a reliable partnership, we also expect our suppliers to treat people and the environment with respect.
The complaints procedure can be accessed via LkSG: Nachhaltige Lieferketten bei der Deutschen Bahn (deutschebahn.com). For more information see our Complaints Procedure.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to us via our contact form.