The Linde Code of Ethics determines how Linde will maintain its relationships with governments, businesses, the environment and people. These standards also provide clear guidance on how we are expected to act in certain circumstances and will ensure that Linde’s good reputation will be maintained and enhanced.
We have implemented the Linde Integrity Line to provide additional means by which reports can be made in respect of potential irregularities in the fields of accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters, bribery, banking and financial crime.
What you should know before making a confidential report.
The Integrity Line shall not replace Linde Group‘s regular information and reporting channels. You are encouraged to report any potential irregularity to a line manager, supervisor, quality control personnel or internal auditor.
The Integrity Line may be used for reports in respect of potential irregularities in the fields of accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters, bribery, banking and financial crime, where the interests not only of a local Linde entity but of several Linde entities or of the Linde Group are affected.
Reports in respect of other matters than above shall be made through Linde‘s regular information and reporting channels. Where such a report has been submitted through the Integrity Line, the facts reported may be forwarded to the appropriate local level when the vital interests of the data subject or the moral integrity of employees are at stake or when under national law there is an obligation to communicate the information to public bodies or authorities competent for the prosecution of crimes.
When making a report, your identity will be kept confidential at all stages of the process and will not be disclosed to third parties. But please note, that your identity may need to be disclosed to people conducting the inquiry into your report as well as to relevant people involved in any subsequent judicial proceedings or law enforcement investigation instigated as a result of the inquiry conducted.
You are asked to maintain confidentiality of the content of the report made via the Integrity Line.
You are advised that reports made in bad faith may lead to disciplinary actions.
Linde does not encourage anonymous reports. Anonymous reporting may have effects on the level of the investigation undertaken in respect of your report. Therefore we ask you to disclose your identity. Anonymous reports will be processed and investigated only after it has been determined whether the anonymous report merits further review or inquiry.
What happens to my report?
After you have send your report you will receive a “Report received“ message with your report reference number. This number can be used, if you have any questions or amendments to your report.
Your report will be forwarded via secured e-mail to the Linde Integrity Committee which is assisted by the Linde Compliance Facilitator. This Committee consists of up to four members formed of representatives of the following Group divisions: Group Internal Audit; Group Legal; Corporate Communications; and Group HR. It has been set up with a view towards further safeguarding the integrity of the processing of reports. The Committee will oversee the processes, including the review of reports and determinations on further process.
Reports will generally be forwarded to the appropriate local level for further review and inquiries. Where the contents of a report require further processing on a central level, the report will continue to be processed under the authority of the Linde Integrity Committee.
What alternative methods of making contact are available?
You can call us free of charge when reporting an infringement by telephone
Please click here for the number for your particular country
If you do not find your country in the list, please dial the number under "Integrity Line Reverse Charge".
Use the following number to send us a fax:
+49 (0)89 - 3 57 57 - 10 03
You can send us an e-mail at the following address:
integrity@linde.com
You can also contact us by post. Please send your report to:
Linde AG
Linde Integrity Committee
Klosterhofstr. 1
D-80331 Munich
Germany
We assure you that all information you report to us will be treated with confidentiality. When making contact, we do however request you to inform us voluntarily of your name, your company and department, your telephone number and/or e-mail address. This also enables us to contact you in order to clarify any further questions.