The approximately 130 measures of the T4I program form the framework for following the rules and acting with integrity within the Volkswagen Group. These include, for example, the Code of Conduct with its associated training measures as well as the Whistleblower System. T4I will be rolled out throughout the Volkswagen Group by 2025. Most of the measures have already been implemented at the AUDI AG sites in Germany and almost all employees have some kind of interaction with T4I. This creates robust systems and processes that prevent compliance and integrity risks in all functional areas and thus eliminates the causes that allowed serious misconduct to arise in the past.
„Compliance and integrity should be present in the processes and decisions of Audi employees. We are strengthening our corporate governance with compliance and integrity. This is just as important as our economic and strategic goals."
— Lucía Cátedra Lozano, Head of Programme Management, Together4Integrity
Integrity and compliance are firmly anchored in the strategy of Audi. That is also reflected in the fact that our board members have personally committed to implementing T4I.
The methodological design of T4I follows the five fundamental and recognised principles of the international Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI):
- Strategy
- Risk management
- Acting with integrity
- A culture of open discussion
- Assumption of responsibility, even in the event of misconduct
There is a considerable focus on a change in culture: it is about getting through to people and strengthening their own drive to act with integrity. To that end, cooperation between all employees on an equal footing should be facilitated, room for creativity given, and value-oriented action as well as openly dealing with mistakes permitted and encouraged. The seven Volkswagen Group principles provide the basis for this initiative. These principles define how we want to work together at Audi and in the Group. They supplement the Code of Conduct, which sets out the general rules of conduct with regard to compliance with laws and internal guidelines, and for acting with integrity.
