Whistleblower Channels.

WHISTLEBLOWER SYSTEM

Our Whistleblower System

Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at SEAT. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. Therefore, the SEAT Analysis Office together with the Central Investigation Office at Volkswagen - hereinafter the Investigation Office - operates an independent, impartial and confidential Whistleblower System.

A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.  

This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at SEAT will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.

How do we process your report?

The employees at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by Group employees thoroughly and follow it up systematically.  First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay.

Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office - as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.

More information on the respective procedural principles can be found here

* The processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure

A report of potential misconduct to our Whistleblower System

The Whistleblower System offers various channels for reporting potential misconduct by SEAT employees, violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners or serious risks and violations of human rights and environment in our Supply Chain.

However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.

SEAT Whistleblower Channels

Transparencia

The transparencia channels are internally managed by the SEAT Analysis Office which is part of the Compliance and Integrity department of SEAT.

It is possible to contact the SEAT Analysis Office by e-mail or by telephone:

• E-mail: transparencia@seat.es
  
• Telephone: +34 900 103 220 (working days from 8am to 4.30pm).

At the request of the informant, reports can be communicated by means of a face-to-face meeting within the maximum term of seven days.

The Local Ombudsman

Our local Ombudsman, Dr. David Velázquez, is a judge on leave of absence, independent lawyer and Doctor of Law who has been appointed for his extensive professional experience. He is bound by the oath of professional secrecy to keep strictly anonymous the identity of informants, if requested, and treat the data provided in the strictest confidence.

It is possible to contact our local Ombudsman by e-mail of telephone:

• Telephone: +34 609 665 001
• E-mail: david.velazquez@miombudsman.es

Volkswagen Group Whistleblower Channels

E-mail

The Investigation Office of Volkswagen can be reached via E-mail (in any language):  io@volkswagen.de

For customer complaints, please contact the channels listed under "A complaint about products or services to our customer service" previously mentioned.

Central Investigation Office

Postal address:
Volkswagen AG, Central Investigation Office
Mailbox 1717
Berliner Ring 2
38436 Wolfsburg, Germany

In person:            

Please make an appointment in advance by writing an E-mail to io@volkswagen.de.       

Ombudspersons

Volkswagen has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. They advise on the Whistleblower System or ensure that reports from whistleblowers are forwarded anonymously to the Investigation Office if desired.

If you want to get in contact with the Ombudsperson you can find their contact details here: https://www.ombudsmen-of-volkswagen.com/

Online Reporting Channel

You have the option of using a web-based communication platform (https://goto.speakup.report/seat) to contact the Investigation Office in more than 65 languages. This system is confidential and technically secured and allows you to submit reports anonymously.

You can access the online reporting channel through the following link: (https://goto.speakup.report/seat)

You can find detailed instructions on how to make reports online, by app or by phone here.

Voice Intake by phone

You can leave us a voice message by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

After entering the phone number (specific to the country you are in), you will be prompted to enter the organization code. Then, you can submit your report as a voice recording. Only a written transcript will be received by the Investigation Office. Dial back in to listen to the reply or further questions by our team.

Select a phone number from this list for your country or region and have the corresponding organizational code 122226 ready.

Speak Up App

You can also download the Speak Up App “SpeakUp - Listen for a change” by People Intouch (personal devices only) to access the secure reporting system. Through this app, you can submit your report in writing or leave a voice message (also anonymously). You will need the organization code 122226. Log back in to see our team's reply or answer further questions. To download the app, you can also scan the QR code:

Do you have further questions or do you need a local contact?

Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the Whistleblower System can also be addressed to the Investigation Office.

Furthermore, our local Compliance Officer/responsible function ​can also be addressed in all matters of the Whistleblower System via transparencia@seat.es​.

External Reporting Channel of Spain

The Spanish government has designated the “Autoridad Independiente de Protección del Informante, A.A.I”, that also accept reports on misconduct as external reporting channels, according to Law 2/2023, of February 20.

External Reporting Channel of Catalonia

The Catalonian government has designated the “Oficina Antifraude de Cataluña”, that also accept reports on misconduct as external reporting channels, according to Law 3/2023, of March 16.