Policies (G1-1)

DB Group plays an important role in the achievement of transport policy targets and in the further development of the rail system in Germany and Europe. To this end, we actively seek dialog with the entire sector. We discuss our own transport policy positions at the national and international level and seek to use facts and figures to contribute to the decision-making process. Political decisions can have a significant impact on the competitiveness and growth opportunities of rail transport as well as the economic development of the rail sector and DB Group, such as via the level of Government funding for rail transport and the rail infrastructure or regulatory requirements.

Prior to the exercise, the representatives of special interests in DB Group are made aware of the applicable requirements and general conditions, in particular the framework guideline on principles of political relations, which is stored in the Group regulations database. The framework guideline also contains an information sheet on the representation of interests in accordance with the Lobbying Register Act with the applicable requirements and information on implementation in DB Group.

• Framework guideline on principles of political relations: The organization of the representation of interests is governed by binding provisions set forth in the framework guideline on principles of political relations, which applies to all Group companies in Germany. The Head of Political Relations is responsible for DB Group’s relationship management in the political environment at national and international level.
• DB Stakeholder Charter: Our Stakeholder Charter forms the basis for all dialog activities within DB Group. It formulates Group-wide principles for responsible interaction between DB Group and its stakeholders.
• Code of Conduct (Group principles on ethics): With regard to the representation of political special interests, in addition to the Stakeholder Charter, we have set ourselves strict internal benchmarks for participation in political processes, which are summarized in the binding Group-wide Code of Conduct (Group principles on ethics). This stipulates, among other things, that contributions of any kind to political parties, their representatives, political leaders, elected representatives and candidates for political office are generally prohibited.
• Lobbying Register Act: The Lobbying Register Act has also been in force in Germany since January 1, 2022. The lobby register and corresponding regulations at national and EU level make it possible to transparently track structures of influence exerted by special interests groups on the political- and decision-making process. DB AG is listed in the lobby register on the website of the German Parliament under registration number R001662, while DB InfraGO AG is listed under registration number R001379. DB AG is listed in the EU transparency register under number 4516220482-22.
  In order to define the exercise of representation of special interests in greater detail within the meaning of the Lobbying Register Act, the German Parliament and the Federal Government have also adopted a code of conduct for representatives of special interests within the framework of the Lobbying Register Act with the participation of civil society. The registration of a natural person, or legal entity, business partnership or other organization as a representative of special interests in the lobby register is accompanied by an automatic obligation to comply with the provisions of this Code of Conduct. With its registration in the European transparency register, DB Group has also signed a corresponding code of conduct.