Whistleblowing
Ombudspersons
Our ombudspersons act as the internal whistleblowing authority (internal channel) and can be contacted in confidence. They are subject to the lawyer’s duty of confidentiality and the lawyer’s right to refuse to testify. This and other contractual provisions ensures that the whistleblower’s identity is protected. Information will be passed on to investigating bodies only with the whistleblower’s express consent. Even the act of contacting the ombudsperson itself is protected by confidentiality.
You can contact the ombudspersons by post, by telephone, in writing, or via the ombudsperson’s contact form
The contact form is available in various languages. You can find more information about the ombudspersons via the following link: https://www.ombudsperson-frankfurt.de/en/
Deputy Ombudsperson
External whistleblowing platforms in Germany
| Platform | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Federal Ministry of Justice | Any reports of violations (comprehensive responsibility) that concern the external reporting offices of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, the Federal Cartel Office and the external reporting offices of the federal states |
| Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as external reporting agency | Any reports of violations that concern the Financial Services Supervision Act |
| Federal Cartel Office | Any reports of violations that concern the competition law |
External whistleblowing platforms of the European Union
| Platform | Purpose |
|---|---|
| European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) | Any reports that concern fraud or irregularities with potential negative impact on EU funds or serious misconduct by members or officials of the EU institutions. |
| European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) | Any report of violations that concern the safety and protection of the sea and prevention of sea pollution. |
| European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) | The EASA Confidential Safety Reporting system allows to report any suspected, presumed, or alleged violations of the European Union’s legal framework for civil aviation safety |
| European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) | Any reports of violations that concern investor protection and the stability of the financial markets. |
| European Medicines Agency (EMA) | Any reports of violations that concern the use of human and veterinary medicines |
