Policies, Reports & Modern Slavery Act | Springer Nature | Springer Nature Group (original) (raw)

Here you can find downloads of key documents and reports about our responsible business policies at Springer Nature, along with links to other relevant information.

Download Springer Nature’s 2023 Sustainable Business Report

At Springer Nature, our employees and our authors, respect the environment and the communities where we operate. Science and robust research are very importand to us, particularly where they are threatened.

The PDF report has been tagged for users of assistive technology.

Older versions

Responsible business practices

Our Codes of Conduct reflect our commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in our everyday interactions with colleagues, customers, partners and the wider public wherever we are.

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for our business partners

Information to our suppliers

To address our suppliers needs we created a dedicated page. There you’ll find the relevant information you need to do business with us more effectively: working with Ariba, Springer Nature's commitment to managing its environmental impact, information about diversity, equity and inclusion, and our governance structure. Follow our suppliers page link for more information on how suppliers can do business with us:

Suppliers Page

Paper Policy

Springer Nature is committed to using only paper from sustainable sources for our printed products. The paper policy guidance for suppliers explains what this means, how our suppliers can comply and what information we need from our suppliers to monitor compliance with the policy.

Reporting concerns or breaches of the Codes of Conduct

Employees, business partners, authors, suppliers, editors, customers and anyone else who wishes to raise concerns regarding potential or actual breaches of the Springer Nature Code of Conduct or Business Partner Code of Conduct are asked to do so via “Speak-Up”, our ‘whistleblowing’ reporting system. Questions and concerns may be submitted in any language.

Raising concerns about editorial or publishing matters

If your concern relates to editorial or publishing processes, or editorial integrity, you should first contact the Editor-in-Chief(s) responsible for the journal concerned and/or the Editor who handled the paper. Contact details and additional information can be found on the journal homepage. Alternatively concerns about editorial/integrity matters only can be reported to ethics.reporting@springernature.com

AI Principles

Springer Nature is commited to adopting an ethically-focused approach while designing, developing, and deploying and/or using AI based solutions.
We use AI solutions responsibly, making sure that we consider and mitigate any negative impact, be it societal or environmental.

SPRINGER NATURE AI PRINCIPLES – Human-Centered Values
Dignity, Respect and Minimising Harm	We prioritize human well-being and dignity, and take steps to prevent harm to society and the environment.
Fairness and Equity	We mitigate the potential for structural bias and inequities.
Transparency	We disclose when an AI system is being used and explain our processes in accessible language.
Accountability	We maintain human oversight of the development and outcomes generated by our AI tools and solutions.
Privacy and Data Governance	We safeguard personal privacy and follow all relevant data protection laws.

Learn more about our AI principles.

Responsible business reporting

Modern Slavery Act statement

The Springer Nature Modern Slavery Act statement is published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It sets out the steps we have taken to assess the risk of and prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our businesses and supply chains. The statement is made on behalf of the Springer Nature, which includes the following UK-based operating entities: Springer Nature Limited, Springer-Verlag London Limited, Biomed Central Limited and Springer Healthcare Limited.

For previous Modern Slavery Statements, please email communications@springernature.com

Tax strategy

Springer Nature is a responsible taxpayer. We recognise the need to contribute a fair share of tax in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our tax strategy for the year ended 31 December 2023 is published here.

UK responsible business reporting

The following reports fulfil specific reporting requirements relevant to our business in the UK. Some of the reports cover our global operations, while others relate only to Springer Nature’s UK business.

Gender pay gap reporting for Springer Nature’s UK operations

Like other organisations in the UK, Springer Nature has published a report on the gender pay gap in our UK operations. This report contains pay data as of April 2023.

Editorial and publishing policies

Our publishing and editorial policies have been developed in consultation with the research communities that we serve, including authors and librarians, and are rooted in our belief that scholarly communication is aided by greater transparency of the processes by which we operate.