RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Repower places great emphasis on respecting human rights both within the company and along the supply chain.
Impacts
The Repower Group procures products and services that in some cases are manufactured or provided in other countries. This means that the company can indirectly influence compliance with human rights in the relevant countries of origin, particularly with regard to protection against child labour.
Risks
The Repower Group operates primarily in Switzerland and Italy. Given compliance with national laws, the risk of human rights violations in these countries is very low. Violations of human rights in the supply chain can lead to legal consequences, financial losses, reputational damage and a loss of trust.
Risks related to any lack of corporate social responsibility, including violations of human rights in the supply chain, are a component of the Repower Group’s risk and control assessment (see Introduction).
Guidelines and due diligence
The Repower Group adheres to the core conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Human rights are a key component of Repower’s corporate culture. The Repower Group’s code of conduct states: “We take care of our fellow human beings [...]. In doing so, we respect the personal dignity, privacy, opinion and rights of each and every individual.” All employees are obliged to comply with the code of conduct and thus respect human rights.
Based on the due diligence and transparency obligations regarding child labour (Art. 964j-964l CO), the Repower Group has established a process to check for potential child labour in the supply chain. Repower uses this process to check whether there is a reasonable suspicion of child labour in the supply chain of products and services purchased by Repower. This review takes place every year and the findings are documented internally.
Measures
The Repower Group ensures that human rights are respected right from the contract award stage. Repower Switzerland’s standard terms and conditions of services and standard terms of delivery contain statements on labour protection regulations and working conditions that require equal treatment and compliance with child protection regulations on the part of suppliers. The supplier must also contractually oblige any third parties engaged to comply with these principles. For services provided abroad, the provisions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Core Conventions also apply.
In 2024, Repower Switzerland introduced a self-declaration for new suppliers. Among other things, suppliers must confirm that their entire supply chain is free of child and forced labour.
Repower Italia obliges its suppliers contractually to comply with the Repower Italia code of ethics. Employees are exhorted to select suppliers on the basis of the principles laid down in Repower Italia’s code of ethics. If the conditions are the same, employees must choose suppliers that apply an organisational model in accordance with Legislative Decree 231 / 2001.
Measuring effectiveness
In 2024, the Repower Group’s supply chain was screened for child labour in potentially vulnerable areas such as renewables, Teverola combined-cycle gas turbine power plant, logistics, e-mobility and IT. This involved a structured audit process that included a risk assessment based on international indices, internet research and clarifications by email. At least 80 per cent of products and services were covered in each case. Screening revealed no well-founded suspicion of child labour in the supply chain. The findings are documented internally.