Sustainability > Governance Ethics And Compliance > Ethics And Compliance

Standards

Baxter's ethics policies are detailed in the company's Global Business Practice Standards Manual developed by the company's Corporate Responsibility Office (CRO) and adopted by Baxter's board of directors. The standards promote ethical conduct, ensure compliance with applicable laws and serve as a guide for business decision-making. They apply to members of Baxter's board of directors and all company employees, including the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and other senior officers.

These standards, available in 18 languages, cover topics such as protection and use of company assets, accurate recordkeeping, competitive and confidential information, insider trading, bioethics, conflicts of interest, gifts and trade compliance. The standards also outline the consequences of failure to comply with applicable law or Baxter's policies and procedures and require prompt reporting of wrongdoing. In 2007, Baxter plans to update its Global Business Practice Standards, to ensure it continues to reflect best practice and meets company needs.

Baxter's Global Business Practice Standards for Suppliers provides a consistent supplier evaluation approach, defines policies and sets common expectations about ethical behavior when doing business with Baxter. Suppliers must be evaluated and approved before any materials, components, products or services may be purchased. These standards are included in contracts used during all supplier and contractor negotiations (see Managing Supplier Performance for more information).

In addition to the standards described above, Baxter has adopted the following professional codes of ethics: