Whistleblowing hotline
CEZ Group operates an independent Whistleblowing Hotline for reporting suspected illegal actions, violations of the Code of Conduct, compliance principles, or other internal regulations. The hotline is available 24/7 to all employees, suppliers, and external stakeholders. The Whistleblowing Hotline is available in Czech and English.
It consists of two reporting mechanisms – IRS and GRS. The Internal Reporting System (IRS) is established in accordance with the requirements of the Whistleblower Protection Act and is intended primarily for employees of selected CEZ Group companies to report illegal conduct that meets the conditions set out in this Act, i.e., conduct specified by the Whistleblower Protection Act that has occurred or may occur within CEZ Group.
Under the IRS, companies with over 249 employees have their own designated telephone number for reporting, while other companies can use a shared telephone line. There is also the option of filing a report via email or in person, with a list of relevant persons being published on the website of ČEZ, a. s. Whistleblowers can also use the option to submit reports to the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic.
Thanks to the IRS, companies with over 249 employees receive a dedicated telephone line for reporting, while other companies can use a shared telephone line. Whistleblowers can also use an email address or share their concerns in person to persons according to a list published on the ČEZ, a. s., website. Whistleblowers can also use the option of submitting a report to the Ministry of Justice.
The Group Reporting System (GRS) is intended for reporting not only alleged illegal conduct, but also conduct that is in conflict with the CEZ Group Code of Conduct, internal regulations, or basic ethical principles and values of CEZ Group, even beyond the scope of applicable legal regulations. The GRS system allows whistleblowers to submit a report anonymously. This system is not primarily intended for submitting reports according to the Whistleblower Protection Act. The GRS is intended for employees of all CEZ Group companies, as well as business partners and other persons. Under the GRS, reports can be submitted via the Ethics Report Form.
Reports received within the GRS are also objectively and independently investigated in accordance with established internal procedures and rules, but outside the scope of Act No. 171/2023 Coll., on the Protection of Whistleblowers. To ensure impartial and confidential handling of all reports, CEZ Group has a formal structure and procedure in place. This procedure is described in the internal managing documentation Internal Investigation of Compliance Incidents. Each report is investigated in accordance with this methodology, the results of the investigation are documented, and in the event of a confirmed violation, appropriate corrective measures are taken.
Tests verifying the functionality of the reporting mechanisms are carried out four times a year.
Statistical data on the number of reports filed is regularly evaluated and presented in the CEZ Group Sustainability Report. In 2025, a total of 87 reports were received through the Group’s reporting channels.
In addition, employees learn about the issues related to Whistleblowing Hotline of CEZ Group during mandatory training (initial and regular), in articles on the intranet, and in the company newsletter.