The Mercedes-Benz Group AG has appointed Dr Jürgen Gleichauf as its Human Rights Officer. He assumes the newly created role in addition to his function as the company's Chief Compliance Officer.
"Our systematic efforts for the protection of human rights began early on, with our Human Rights Respect System. By appointing a Human Rights Officer, we are complying with a recommendation in the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. In doing so, we are now defining the responsibility for monitoring human rights due diligence at Mercedes-Benz in the top management. Jürgen Gleichauf is an accomplished compliance expert. In the coming years, we will continue to expand our commitment to human rights with him as our Human Rights Officer."
Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management for Integrity & Legal Affairs, Mercedes-Benz Group AG
The Human Rights Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring structures and processes designed to ensure respect for human rights within the company and in the supply chains. He reports directly to the Board of Management, and is also the company's representative in our contacts with the supervisory authorities. The protection of human rights is a central component of the sustainable business strategy of Mercedes-Benz. The most important building block is the Human Rights Respect System, a risk-based due diligence approach. The aim is to identify and avoid possible negative impacts of our business activities on respect for human rights at an early stage. Mercedes-Benz is guided by international standards such as the International Bill of Human Rights, the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
