Sustainability in the supply chain
DB Group aims to make a significant contribution to sustainable development through transparent and responsible supply chains. Our suppliers take an active role in ensuring mutual business success with their sustainability performance and capacity to innovate.
Social and environmental criteria are anchored in numerous product group strategies and in tenders as suitability, performance or evaluation criteria. This is based on both the DB Code of Conduct for Business Partners (CoC BP) and the DB procurement policy, which clearly define the requirements for responsible and sustainable action along the supply chain. The CoC BP is agreed upon during the registration of suppliers and includes, among other things, respect for human rights in accordance with the core labor standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO core labor standards). On this basis and in accordance with the requirements of the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz; LkSG), a risk-based audit process is carried out, including on-site audits in accordance with the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) standard, if there are justified reasons for an increased risk at the supplier. In addition, our complaints procedure offers the opportunity to point out any deficiencies in our supply chain.
A human rights and environmental risk analysis of the supply chain was again carried out in 2025. The results were incorporated into preventive and corrective measures as well as risk-oriented supplier discussions. An IT solution supports the systematic assessment and documentation of these risks.
In addition, we have further developed the risk assessment procedure for the deeper supply chain in order to obtain an improved overview of potential and actual risks in upstream value chains for specific, prioritized supply chains. The first risk-minimizing preventive measures for specific product groups were identified by the business units concerned and tested for effectiveness.
DB Group has been implementing the step-by-step plan for a sustainable and transparent supplier landscape since 2023. Sustainability ratings are gradually being introduced on a mandatory basis:
- Since 2023: Mandatory requests in all EU tenders (without minimum requirements).
- Since 2024: Mandatory submission after conclusion of contract for tenders in excess of € 100,000 (without minimum requirements).
- Since 2025: Mandatory sustainability rating with defined minimum requirements in EU tenders.
- From 2026: Mandatory sustainability rating with defined minimum requirements for tenders in excess of € 100,000.
More than 1,700 suppliers (previous year: more than 1,200 suppliers) have already submitted current ratings (without defined minimum requirements), covering about 80 % (previous year: about 70 %) of our procurement volume. Sustainability ratings that are no more than two years old are taken into account.
DB Group works closely with industry associations and the Railsponsible industry initiative to further develop sustainable decision-making and performance criteria. In 2025, the risk analysis of ESG risks in the train and rail infrastructure supply chain was further intensified.
Relevant topics in 2025
- Dialog with the construction and railway industry: In 2025, we consistently continued and further expanded our intensive dialog with the construction and rail industry on several levels. The aim is to jointly develop viable and sustainable solutions for the ramp-up of infrastructure projects – particularly in the context of the comprehensive modernization of the rail network – and for the implementation of Digital Rail for Germany. A particular focus remains on the high-performance corridors. In addition, infrastructural measures that contribute to ensuring and further developing the performance capability of the rail network for passenger and freight transport are taken into account.
- Railway Forum 2025: The Railway Forum 2025 offered DB Group an important platform to further intensify the dialog with the rail industry and provide impetus for the implementation of the strategy. The event brought together perspectives from industry, research and procurement and highlighted common challenges in the ramp-up of infrastructure projects.
Digitalization and innovation in procurement
The further development of procurement is closely linked to the digitalization and (partial) automation of processes based on a modern, networked IT landscape. The aim is to establish intuitive, user-friendly and digitalized end-to-end processes with a high level of user orientation. The focus in 2025 was on testing the first AI/Gen AI use cases. The user groups include users from all Group companies, suppliers to DB Group and strategic and operational purchasers.
National and international activities
The focus of our procurement activities continues to be in Europe. For competitive reasons and to ensure security of supply, we also work with suppliers outside the EU. The focus is on Asia, particularly China and India. Since it opened, our International Procurement Office Asia in Shanghai/China has identified about 1,000 suppliers for us and supported their development and participation in contract tenders in accordance with the applicable processes. In addition, the International Procurement Office Asia identifies innovations for DB Group in the Asian market, for example in the areas of sustainability and digitalization.
In 2025, we shifted our focus even more clearly to India in order to find suitable suppliers to cover the increased demand, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and maintenance. This also helps to minimize risks in the supply chains and reduce dependencies on individual markets.
The Shanghai office centrally manages the entire Asian region, including India, in order to work in partnership with established suppliers in China as well as new suppliers in the wider region. Production is continuously monitored by DB quality employees.
The reliable supply of products by our international suppliers has made a valuable contribution to the stable operation of our fleet despite the difficult geopolitical conditions.