Supply chain management

We maintain clear supplier standards and oversight mechanisms.

Supplier quality and performance

We apply a risk-based approach to supplier quality, including standardized assessments, material

verification and ongoing performance monitoring to help ensure suppliers meet defined specifications and regulatory requirements.

Approved suppliers participate in audits, inspections and performance reviews, with compliance assessed at both enterprise and site levels.

Our supplier governance framework includes:

• Supplier Code of Conduct.
• Human Rights Policy.
• Risk-based supplier assessments and independent verification.
• Enterprise and site-level compliance reviews.
• Supplier performance scorecards including environmental and social criteria.
• Sustainability considerations embedded into sourcing strategies, including capital goods governance and facilities RFP processes.

Highlights

• Identified decarbonization opportunities with embedded emission-reduction benefits.
• Addressed supplier sustainability knowledge gaps.
• Developed sustainability governance, which includes embedding sustainability criteria in sourcing decisions, RFPs and global design standards.
• Strengthened supplier oversight to identify and mitigate human rights and labor risks across the supply chain.
• Granted first annual sustainability award to a supplier.
• Collaborated with peers and customers to align on best practices in sustainability through the Collaborative for Healthcare Action to Reduce MedTech Emissions (CHARME).

We monitor supplier locations to identify regional and local sourcing opportunities and incorporate this into our category strategies and sourcing decisions.

In the U.S., we support small and socio-economically disadvantaged suppliers who align with our commitment to improving patient care.

• Collaboration with 1,335 qualified suppliers.
• Member of national and local supplier development organizations.
• Recognized as a Best Corporation for Veteran’s Business Enterprises (NaVOBA).
• Selected as the Corporate Member of the Year by the Puerto Rico Minority Supplier Development Council (PRMSDC).

Proactive risk management strengthens operational continuity. We monitor product shipments and assess risks across strategic product portfolios to support reliable delivery to healthcare providers and patients.

• Enterprise risk management led by Vice President of Global Internal Audit.
• Reporting to Board and Risk, Science & Technology Committee.
• AI-enabled monitoring of value chain disruptions.
• Real-time visibility tools for business continuity.
• Supply Chain Resiliency Program integrated into annual operating plan.