We keep you fully informed on the risks …

In the past few years national and international legislation has made companies increasingly responsible for the impact of their activities. Every company is affected by laws on control and transparency, laws on company integrity, extended product liability, data protection, competition and environmental requirements and consumer protection laws.

Infringements are punished with severe sanctions. There are not only criminal and civil law proceedings against the corporate management, but even more far-reaching consequences. Rumours of compliance problems have an impact on the stock market rate, and can result in competitive disadvantages and loss of image. Being "black listed" can, in the worst case, even lead to the downfall of a company.

This pressure which is increasingly exercised by insurers and investors can be counteracted with the appropriate compliance programs. As soon as the potential risk of a company has been defined, individual compliance management makes it possible to avoid matters of conflict and be prepared for a possible emergency. This creates a competitive advantage for the company and considerably ensures the long-term success of the business and value of the company. 

… so the worst-case scenario never occurs.

The specialists from CMS Hasche Sigle provide advice on compliance with all legal provisions that apply to your company.

The principle objective is identifying actual and potential risks and avoiding the liability associated with these. We examine the structure of your company in detail and set up an individual compliance organisation that proactively ensures that infringements against legal provisions never occur in the first place.

• Corporate law: How can we limit the liability of corporate management?
• Capital market law: Compliance with insider law, the ad hoc duty to disclose and the provisions on notification of voting rights
• Employment law:

      - Introducing and implementing codes of conduct and a whistle-blowing hotline

      - Avoiding risks related to the General Equal Treatment Act and implementing compliance in employment contracts

      - Punishing breaches of compliance with employment law measures

• Data protection: Compliance with all data security requirements and monitoring e-mail and internet use at work
• Competition and procurement law: Developing lawful relationships with competitors, customers and suppliers
• Foreign trade and export law: Avoiding errors with respect to export permits, effectively preventing corruption
• Product liability: Implementing risk and recall management systems, effectively deflecting and avoiding damage
• Environmental law: Implementing environmental management systems under ISO 14000, observing requirements and adhering to reporting duties 

CMS Hasche Sigle's Compliance Management System:

Phase 1: Risk detection

The risks of each company must be weighted depending on the field, size of the company and business activity. We clearly state the risks and detect them in the context of a compliance due diligence review as we begin to develop our comprehensive concept. This includes pointed discussions in the various departments of your company and carrying out a dawn raid.

Phase 2: Protecting your company: our compliance management

From the first analysis, we derive a permanent compliance system with reporting, documentation and controlling, and clear guidelines. Any necessary amendments to agreements or adjustments to insurance policies are carried out, as well as employee training and the implementation of an ethics code. As a precautionary measure for emergencies, we draw up an emergency plan with crisis scenarios or advise you on spinning-off departments that are particularly high-risk. That is how we protect you and your company from compliance problems.

Phase 3: Prepared for any eventualities

Our experts are at your side, even if an obvious breach of the law should occur. If your company is confronted with compensation claims, if recalls are necessary or official investigations are carried out against you or your company, we will assist you with our comprehensive specialist knowledge. We can put together a "fire fighting" team straightaway to protect you from the worst. This includes limiting damage in public, as we advise you in your statements to the media or coordinate a crisis communication agency.