Business Ethics

We follow strict principles that are set by our company values. We are convinced that profitable business activities go hand in hand with ethical standards.

More than 350 years of ethical conduct

Responsibility is one of our six company values – along with courage, achievement, respect, integrity, and transparency. We live and breathe these core values not just within our company, but also in how we interact with our customers and business partners.

We comply with applicable laws and regulations and are committed to international guidelines. Our products and technologies are aimed at improving people’s lives. When developing them, we follow strict guidelines concerning quality and product safety. 

In our work, we encounter various bioethical and digital ethics topics and issues, including stem cell use, the use of genetically modified microorganisms, use of health data, and the potential impact of new genome editing techniques. We are strongly committed to conduct our research in an ethical manner and develop frameworks that meet rigorous ethical standards.

As an international company, we have a duty to respect human rights worldwide within our sphere of influence and to ensure that they are not compromised by our business activities. Of course, this also applies to our supply chain. 

Stronger together with our partners

UN Global Compact UN Global Compact
UN Global Compact
We are a UN Global Compact participant. We commit ourselves to ten principles based on UN conventions regarding human rights, labor standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption. At the same time, the UN Global Compact encourages the signatories to engage in propagating the principles.
Responsible Care Logo Responsible Care Logo
Responsible Care
As a signatory to the Responsible Care initiative of the chemical industry, we do more than required by law and have adopted binding standards for product responsibility, environmental protection, health and safety.
Together for Sustainability Logo Together for Sustainability Logo
Together for Sustainability
Go to website Sustainability Report
Together for Sustainability
The Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative aims to systematically assess and improve sustainability sourcing practices across the globe. The evaluation results can be used by TfS member companies who abide by all restrictions agreed upon within competition law.
Chemie3 Logo Chemie3 Logo
Chemie3
We are also a member of the Chemie3 initiative. The partners of this unique alliance aim to make sustainability a core part of the chemical industry's guiding principles and to jointly drive the sector's position within the German economy as a key contributor to sustainable development.
Kigali Declaration on NTDs Logo Kigali Declaration on NTDs Logo
Kigali Declaration on NTDs
Go to roadmap Sustainability Report
Kigali Declaration on NTDs
The Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is a multi-stakeholder partnership comprised of pharmaceutical companies, donor groups, implementing partners, governments and other supportive partners committed to attaining the 2030 NTD roadmap of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative
Go to Website
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative

The PSCI was formed as a healthcare non-profit business membership organization in 2006 in the United States. Its purpose is to bring together members to establish and promote responsible supply chain practices, human rights and environmental sustainability.

  • Sustainable innovations

    Science and technology are at the heart of everything we do, driving innovations that enable us to contribute to a sustainable future.
    Learn more
  • Our impact

    The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Find out how we are contributing.
    Learn more
  • Sustainability by numbers

    Key figures help us to assess how sustainable our company is. They enable us to measure our progress.
    Explore more