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To tackle the challenges posed by gold trading, Deutsche Börse Commodities has issued a declaration on modern slavery and human trafficking and developed a code of conduct for its suppliers. The latter includes ten points on social and ethical issues and defines its minimum requirements for business partners. At the local level, Deutsche Börse Commodities upholds its longstanding commitment to the ARCHE Kinderstiftung Frankfurt and is working to promote financial education.

Often located in disadvantaged regions of developing countries, gold mines contribute to their economic situation. They pose risks of human rights violations in the extraction, transport or trade of gold. Workers in small-scale mines risk their lives and health every day and do not have the means to build a secure future.

To stand against human rights violations, Deutsche Börse Commodities only holds gold certified by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). The parameters defined in the Responsible Sourcing Programme – prohibition of forced and child labour, ensuring fair working conditions and wages, compliance with occupational health and safety standards for miners, support of local communities, exclusion of gold from conflict zones and prevention of terrorist financing – apply to LBMA-certified bullion manufacturers and mines.

The company has issued a statement regarding modern slavery and human trafficking and has made a commitment to comply with the principles of the UN Global Compact. A code of conduct instructs all suppliers of Deutsche Börse Commodities to respect human rights principles in their respective business areas.

The relevant documents are available for download:
Supplier Code of Conduct (available in German only)
UN Global Compact Commitment (available in German only)
Declaration on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (available in German only)

Since 2015, Deutsche Börse Commodities regularly supports ARCHE Kinderstiftung Frankfurt, an organisation committed to countering the material and emotional effects of child poverty, with financial donations. Together with their closest external employees, the two managing directors also visit the ARCHE annually for a hands-on day of fun and learning about future plans and needs on the part of the organisation’s caregivers and the children and adolescents they serve.

Deutsche Börse Commodities is also committed to promoting greater financial education, including children, teenagers and young adults in its efforts. Looking ahead, further educational initiatives and projects are planned on topics such as the circular economy, recycling and gold.