Trust &
Transparency
Center

The acib GmbH operates as an international center of excellence in research (Research Technology Organisation – RTO) at the interface between academic excellence and industrial application. In an environment shaped by highly sensitive research data, intellectual property (IP), and strict regulatory requirements (such as NIS2 and the Freedom of Information Act), trust forms the foundation of every collaboration.

This Trust Center serves as the central authority and “constitution” for all legal frameworks, security standards, and transparency policies of acib GmbH. We are committed to a proactive information policy, the protection of the assets entrusted to us by our partners, and adherence to the highest standards of integrity.

The provisions of this Trust Center are binding for all employees, partners, and guests.

Principles

In this section, acib GmbH documents the legal and organizational foundations of its operations. From the disclosure of ownership structures and management frameworks to media law responsibility for our digital platforms, we establish here the binding framework for the transparent governance of our research center.

1.1

Legal Imprint

1.2

Corporate structure, representation, management

1.3

Classifications & Declarations

1.4

Accounting & Payments

1.5

IPR

1.6

acib brand

Transparency 

As a globally operating center of expertise at the interface between academic excellence in research and industrial application, acib GmbH bears a particular responsibility. Our success is based on the trust of our shareholders, public funding bodies, and industry partners. We safeguard this trust through an uncompromising commitment to transparency, integrity, and strict compliance with all legal and ethical frameworks.

The following sections document our comprehensive understanding of compliance, which goes far beyond mere adherence to rules. Here, we outline our commitments to freedom of information (IFG) and media transparency, as well as our internal compliance policies and our binding Code of Conduct. A central pillar of our daily work is ensuring scientific integrity (Good Scientific Practice), as well as the protection of whistleblowers through our Integrity Line.

As acib manages both public funding and private industry contributions, it is subject to strict public oversight by the Court of Audit. We provide detailed disclosures on how we ensure the separation between economic and non-economic activities in order to guarantee fair competitive conditions and the responsible use of funds – always with the aim of maximizing research efficiency and limiting bureaucratic barriers to what is strictly necessary.

2.1

Compliance

2.2

Wissenschaftliche Integrität

2.3

Whistleblowing

2.4

IFG

2.5

Öffentliche Kontrolle

2.6

Medientransparenz

2.7

Förderung

2.8

Mitgliedschaften

Digital work 

At acib, a strict principle of separation applies between data ownership and data access. As a bridge between science and industry, the protection of intellectual property (IP) and the integrity of research data are our highest priority.

Principle of Data Sovereignty:

– All data generated in the course of activities for or on behalf of acib GmbH (so-called “foreground IP”) remains under the exclusive data sovereignty of acib GmbH. This principle applies universally and irrespective of the physical workplace of the individuals involved – whether at partner universities, external laboratories, or working from home.

Information generated by acib employees or within the scope of acib projects constitutes trade secrets of acib GmbH. It is expressly stated that mere knowledge of, or access to, such data in the project context does not in any way establish ownership rights. Any use beyond the contractually explicitly permitted purpose is prohibited and will be considered a violation of the protection provisions under the Austrian Unfair Competition Act (UWG).

Trust &TransparencyCenter

The provisions of this Trust Center are binding for all employees, partners, and guests.

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.6

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

Principle of Data Sovereignty:

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

5.1

5.5

5.9

6.2

6.3

6.4

7.2

7.3

Innovations from nature

Trust &
Transparency
Center