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Responsible and transparent corporate governance includes legally compliant behaviour at all levels of the company as well as a code of conduct for all employees that takes into account the interests of stakeholders such as shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and investors, etc. Compliance with legal and industry-specific provisions and regulations within a company as well as the fulfilment of other key ethical standards and requirements, usually set by the company itself, is a key component of this area.

Companies should operate their core business in a socially and ecologically responsible as well as economically successful manner. Products and services should contribute to sustainable development that safeguards the livelihoods of future generations. By means of transparent cost management and an equitable tariff structure, for example, companies demonstrate their responsible behaviour, which is increasingly becoming the focus of public attention.

The environmental management of the participating companies is analysed in this topic area. Environmental management is the part of an organisation's management that deals with operational and regulatory environmental protection, i.e. with the activities, products and services that have an impact on the environment. The reduction of emissions, waste management and the handling of hazardous substances characterise this subject area.

Sustainable companies think beyond their own concerns and actively support society in their environment. The topic of ‘society’ is a cross-section from the smallest unit in a company, e.g. promoting the potential of employees, to generally applicable social values, such as anti-discrimination and diversity management, through to the commitment of companies to civil society, e.g. making donations.