The following compliance guideline applies to the Forum AGVS, the interest group of the AGV industry, represented by Forum-FTS GmbH.
These three documents are intended to provide orientation for the Forum AGV members and the staff of the Forum AGV team and security for all customers.
The Forum AGV sees itself as a competence centre for our world of Automated Guided Vehicles Systems (AGVS). It consists of a strong community of interests of companies (Forum AGV members) and it provides neutral and competent information, advice and planning by experienced experts (Forum AGV team).
Our common goal are successful AGV projects. We place this goal under the control of all Forum AGV members, the Forum AGV team and the AGV users, i.e. our customers. Competence and honesty/authenticity are the supporting pillars of the trade with the aim of optimum AGV deployment in internal company operations. This applies both to the Forum AGV team and to each individual member company.
The work of the Forum AGV team is manufacturer-neutral and takes into account the possibilities of the entire AGV sector. When the Forum AGV team has to evaluate offers or services of AGV manufacturers, it always does so on the basis of objective technical criteria taken from underlying documents (e.g. specifications) and/or the state of the art. Our expertise, i.e. our knowledge, experience and efficiency, is what makes the Forum AGV unique!
All team members are selected and recognised personalities of the AGV industry in Europe.
All planning and consulting services provided by the Forum AGV team are subject to absolute confidentiality towards all Forum AGV member companies. All Forum AGV member companies act as competitors in the markets.
The following compliance guideline applies to the Forum AGVS, the interest group of the AGV industry, represented by Forum-FTS GmbH.
These three documents are intended to provide orientation for the Forum AGV members and the staff of the Forum AGV team and security for all customers.
The Forum AGV sees itself as a competence centre for our world of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). It consists of a strong community of interests of companies (FF members) and it provides neutral and competent information, advice and planning by experienced experts (FF team).
Our common goal are successful AGV projects. We place this goal under the control of all FF members, the FF Team and the AGV users, i.e. our customers. Competence and honesty/authenticity are the supporting pillars of the trade with the aim of optimum AGV deployment in internal company operations. This applies both to the FF team and to each individual member company.
The work of the FF Team is manufacturer-neutral and takes into account the possibilities of the entire AGV sector. When the FF Team has to evaluate offers or services of AGV manufacturers, it always does so on the basis of objective technical criteria taken from underlying documents (e.g. specifications) and/or the state of the art. Our expertise, i.e. our knowledge, experience and efficiency, is what makes the Forum AGV unique!
All team members are selected and recognised personalities of the AGV industry in Europe.
All planning and consulting services provided by the FF team are subject to absolute confidentiality towards all FF member companies. All FF member companies act as competitors in the markets.
The Forum AGV is committed to complying with the applicable statutory and legal regulations. Its actions are guided by the values of integrity and fairness and the principle of transparency.
The Forum AGV is particularly committed to consistent compliance with national and European antitrust law and works exclusively in accordance with these regulations. Furthermore, it undertakes to actively counteract any conduct in breach of antitrust law within the framework of or in connection with its statutory activities.
All team members must ensure compliance with the applicable legal and statutory provisions, the rules and regulations, the data protection regulations and the self-image and work towards compliance throughout the Forum AGV. In particular, they are obliged to refrain from such actions that could lead to criminal liability or administrative offences due to fraud, embezzlement, insolvency offences, violations of regulations for the protection of competition, granting of advantages or bribery.
All Forum AGV stakeholders are of the opinion that business should be conducted in an atmosphere of free competition, i.e. on the basis of price and quality. We are committed to the rule of law and an economic order based on competition. This includes the consistent use of the existing scope for action as well as compliance with the requirements of cartel law for our association work.
The Forum AGV is committed to complying with the applicable statutory and legal regulations. Its actions are guided by the values of integrity and fairness and the principle of transparency.
The Forum AGV is particularly committed to consistent compliance with national and European antitrust law and works exclusively in accordance with these regulations. Furthermore, it undertakes to actively counteract any conduct in breach of antitrust law within the framework of or in connection with its statutory activities.
All team members must ensure compliance with the applicable legal and statutory provisions, the rules and regulations, the data protection regulations and the self-image and work towards compliance throughout the Forum AGV. In particular, they are obliged to refrain from such actions that could lead to criminal liability or administrative offences due to fraud, embezzlement, insolvency offences, violations of regulations for the protection of competition, granting of advantages or bribery.
All Forum AGV stakeholders are of the opinion that business should be conducted in an atmosphere of free competition, i.e. on the basis of price and quality. We are committed to the rule of law and an economic order based on competition. This includes the consistent use of the existing scope for action as well as compliance with the requirements of cartel law for our association work.
As a matter of principle, companies are not allowed to exchange information in the context of planning, consultations, publications and general meetings on topics that violate antitrust law and so-called secret competition and which involve internal company information or data. This includes:
Furthermore, agreements to coordinate offers to third parties, to divide markets or sources of supply in terms of territory and personnel, as well as explicit or tacit agreement on boycotts and supply or purchase blocks against certain companies are inadmissible.
As a matter of principle, companies are not allowed to exchange information in the context of planning, consultations, publications and general meetings on topics that violate antitrust law and so-called secret competition and which involve internal company information or data. This includes:
Furthermore, agreements to coordinate offers to third parties, to divide markets or sources of supply in terms of territory and personnel, as well as explicit or tacit agreement on boycotts and supply or purchase blocks against certain companies are inadmissible.
Any conduct by Forum AGV actors that constitutes an antitrust violation, corrupt behaviour, the unwanted acceptance of gifts in the business environment or any other serious breach of this commitment or that supports such a breach will result in consequences under labour law.
The Forum AGV ensures that its work results, position papers and press releases do not contain any wording that intentionally or unintentionally indicates collusion, uniform behaviour or corresponding recommendations by the Forum AGV or its member companies. The work of the Forum AGV (consulting, planning, publications, presentations, appearance at trade fairs and exhibitions) is always manufacturer-neutral and does not favour Forum AGV member companies.
Any conduct by Forum AGV actors that constitutes an antitrust violation, corrupt behaviour, the unwanted acceptance of gifts in the business environment or any other serious breach of this commitment or that supports such a breach will result in consequences under labour law.
The Forum AGV ensures that its work results, position papers and press releases do not contain any wording that intentionally or unintentionally indicates collusion, uniform behaviour or corresponding recommendations by the Forum AGV or its member companies. The work of the Forum AGV (consulting, planning, publications, presentations, appearance at trade fairs and exhibitions) is always manufacturer-neutral and does not favour Forum AGV member companies.
This Compliance Guideline was adopted by the Managing Director, all team members and all member companies or their representatives in the Forum AGV and will enter into force on 1 January 2020.
Voerde, 30 November 2019
Forum-FTS GmbH (Forum AGV)
Dr.-Ing. Günter Ullrich Managing Director
Forum-FTS GmbH
Dr.-Ing. Günter Ullrich
Kronprinzenstraße 64
D-46562 Voerde
+49 2855 3037945
+49 3222 3944180
info@forum-fts.com