Introduction
Abbott
Code of Business Conduct
Code of Business Conduct
Abbott Code of Business Conduct
We offer several channels where you can ask questions and raise concerns. To learn more about our reporting program, visit speakup.abbott.com.
If you have a question about your specific obligations, talk to your manager, OEC, HR, or Legal.
Visit our multilingual Ethics and Compliance Helpline available globally 24/7 to voice your concerns about a potential violation of our company’s values and standards of conduct.
You can also email investigations@abbott.com to report a potential violation.
You will at times be faced with situations where the right course of action is hard to determine. Our decision making AID will help you ask the right questions to define a course of action that supports Abbott’s values.
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ASSESS
the course of action
Evaluate the possible
IMPACT
DECIDE
Is it legal?
NO
?
YES
Your action may have serious consequences for you and the company. Do not proceed.
Contact Legal for advice.
Does it comply with Abbott policy?
NO
?
YES
Your action may have serious consequences for you and the company. Do not proceed.
Check the OEC policies and procedures, ask your manager, or contact the OEC.
Does it align with Abbott values and culture?
NO
?
YES
Your action may have serious consequences for you and the company. Do not proceed.
Review Abbott Values and Culture (available on the Abbott intranet).
How will this affect the patients and consumers of Abbott?
NEXT
Take a minute to consider whether their interests are balanced with those of the company. Once you are done, click next.
Could this affect Abbott’s reputation?
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Would you be concerned if this appeared in the news or headlines?
Could this have an impact on any of Abbott’s other stakeholders?
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If you feel confident your decision balances the interests of all stakeholders, proceed.
If you are still unsure about the right course of action, consider alternatives, speak to your manager, the Office of Ethics and Compliance, Human Resources, and/or the Legal Division.
Introduction
Abbott
Code of Business Conduct
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Letter from CEO
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Dear Colleague,
Our purpose as a company is as straightforward as it is important: we’re here to make things better, plain and simple.
We create life-changing health technologies that help people live better, fuller lives. It’s a privilege to do this work – and we need to do it in a way that lives up to the nobility of our purpose, with the highest and most ethical of business practices.
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To help all of us do so, Abbott maintains a strong Code of Business Conduct. Our Code lays out our values and our principles, so every Abbott person around the world understands the expectations and requirements that guide the actions we take on Abbott’s behalf.
Letter from CEO
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The fundamental message of the Code is clear: it’s up to us, as the people of Abbott, to hold ourselves to the highest standards, to live up to our best ideals, and to operate our business with the utmost integrity at all times. Our Code is here to help us do so and to protect our most valuable asset as an organization – our reputation.
Thank you for giving our Code of Conduct your careful attention, for using it to help you make the best decisions in your important work, and for all you do to make Abbott the great and good company that it is.
Best regards,
Robert B. Ford
Chief Executive Officer
The promise of our company is in the promise that our work holds for health and life, and we live that promise through the actions we take each and every day
Honesty, Fairness and Integrity
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Decision Making
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Decision Making
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Each of us will, at times, be faced with situations where the right course of action about a new situation is hard to determine. We are all expected to understand the Abbott principles embodied in this Code, along with the Abbott policies and procedures applicable to our work. Many additional resources are available at Abbott for advice and guidance, including:
These resources can help guide decision making. Our decision making AID is also available to help work through issues when the best path forward is not obvious. This tool provides an approach to thinking through the alternatives to, and impacts of, decisions we may face in our work.
In addition, help is always available to ensure understanding of this Code’s requirements. General assistance and contact information for your local or regional Office of Ethics and Compliance personnel is available on the OEC website.
We improve health for patients, consumers, and communities
Patients and Consumers
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Health Care Professional Judgment
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We earn Abbott’s positive reputation by consistently delivering high quality products
Product Quality
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We endeavor to maintain the highest level of quality throughout our business. This effort starts with the sourcing of materials and the manufacture of our products and moves through how we market, sell, and supply our products, including through our business partners – delivering high quality is imperative every step of the way.
Product Quality
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Our commitment to the health and safety of the people who use our products is always at the forefront of everything we do.
We are committed to timely identifying, evaluating, and addressing product safety issues. We provide health care professionals and institutions with the information they need in order to use Abbott’s products safely and effectively, and we communicate with regulatory or public health agencies in the event of potential safety concerns.
We take action to prevent counterfeiting, illegal diversion, and theft of our products. We adhere to all applicable trade regulations, such as export and import controls issued by governments for foreign policy and national security reasons. Trade regulations include sanctions, restrictions on exporting of certain products, and prohibitions on conducting business with certain individuals, groups or entities.
Product Promotion
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Product Promotion
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We advance science, technology, and product innovation to work toward a healthier future
Innovation
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Innovation
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Advancing Science
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We conduct research to advance the science behind our products: to develop new products, improve existing treatments, and advance health care practices.
Advancing Science
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When we conduct research, we are committed to treating study participants with dignity and respect, and to protecting them from unnecessary risk. We ensure that patients participating in research understand the nature and purpose of the research and the associated risks. Obtaining informed consent from study participants is an essential part of our research process.
We value transparency in scientific research, and will not attempt to improperly influence the outcome of any research or reports made by clinical investigators or other researchers. We recognize the importance of ensuring that data from studies and related analyses are accurate. We are committed to providing research results relating to our products, whether results are positive or negative, in a timely and accurate fashion.
When research is done for Abbott or published on our behalf, we select partners with strong medical and scientific backgrounds. We have high standards for these partners, such as expecting investigators to appropriately disclose their connection to Abbott. When we partner with other scientists or clinicians in connection with research and development work, we are committed to complete and accurate disclosure of financial or other relationships.
We value our diverse perspectives as a source of strength
Collaboration
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Our Connection to Each Other
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We all share in the responsibility to live our values every day. By demonstrating and supporting ethical behavior, we positively impact the culture of Abbott. We are all responsible for understanding how this Code applies to our work and the role we perform in the company.
Managers and supervisors, as leaders in the organization, must demonstrate a strong commitment to our values and lead by example. They must always promote and support ethical behavior by employees. Managers must help ensure that employees understand their responsibility to abide by this Code and must foster a work environment that allows employees to feel comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns without fear of retaliation.
Reporting Concerns
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It is up to each of us to ask questions whenever we feel direction is unclear, and to challenge and report any suspected unethical business conduct, violation of this Code, or violation of our policies or procedures.
Asking questions, reporting concerns, and actively pursuing clarity about our choices or actions helps us identify and avoid problems more effectively. When in doubt about the right choices, actions or potential violations, ask a manager or the Office of Ethics and Compliance.
Reporting Concerns
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Managers and supervisors have a fundamental responsibility to lead by example and ensure that employees understand and are held accountable to the Code. Those in leadership roles carry heightened responsibility for understanding and communicating Abbott’s expectations, and should contact the Office of Ethics and Compliance regarding potential Code violations.
All reports of potential Code violations will be taken seriously and handled appropriately through follow up steps such as investigation, remediation, and where necessary, corrective actions to address issues, learn from mistakes, and avoid recurrence. The Office of Ethics and Compliance will direct any investigation of alleged violations of the Code. You should not conduct any investigation independently. Each of us is required to cooperate in, and maintain the confidentiality of, any such investigation.
Corrective actions related to Code violations may include disciplinary action (up to and including termination), or legal action for:
Reporting Concerns
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It is never acceptable to retaliate against anyone who raises concerns about whether business activities are in line with the Code. Alleged retaliation should be reported to the Office of Ethics and Compliance or Human Resources.
Our commitment to the work that we do drives us to not just follow the letter of the laws that apply to our work, but to be mindful of the ethical expectations that come with being a leader in a business like ours.
Equal Opportunity
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Fair Treatment
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Fair Treatment
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Work Environment
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We build trust in Abbott as a citizen of each local community and the world
Community Involvement
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Environmental Responsibility
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We are committed to minimizing our global environmental impact, from the responsible sourcing of raw materials to the manufacture, distribution and use of our products.
We take steps to reduce our use of energy and other natural resources. We support projects that generate energy from renewable sources at work and in our communities. We seek ways to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, such as through waste reduction and recycling and other activities to mitigate environmental risks. We adhere to the environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations.
Political Contributions
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We work together with accountability and in keeping with Abbott values
Fair Dealing
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We are each accountable for our work and decision-making within the realm of our roles and responsibilities.
In all of our professional interactions, with all of the people we encounter in our work – coworkers, customers, suppliers, health care professionals, competitors, and others – we must be fair and straightforward about how Abbott conducts business. This principle of fair dealing is critical.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
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A conflict of interest exists whenever an Abbott employee’s private interests interfere, or appear to interfere, with Abbott’s interests. Business decisions should be based on Abbott’s needs, rather than potential personal gain or the interests of family or friends. Each of us is expected to use good judgment and to avoid situations that can lead to an actual conflict or the appearance of a conflict.
If competing actions, interests, or relationships make it difficult to perform your work objectively and effectively, or if you or a family member could receive improper personal benefit as a result of a position with or connection to Abbott, you must disclose the potential conflict of interest in accordance with Abbott’s conflict of interest guidelines and excuse yourself from situations where the conflict could impact your business judgment.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
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The interests of the greater organization should be prioritized over the interests of a business division, a working group, or an individual in the context of our work.
Our positions at Abbott and opportunities, such as outside business deals or financial interests, made available through work activities, should only be used for Abbott’s benefit, and not for personal gain. We should not compete with Abbott or help other individuals or businesses do so. Our priority must be to advance the company’s interests when opportunities arise.
Protection of Abbott Assets & Reputation
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It is our responsibility to protect and use Abbott’s assets, from physical property, like vehicles and computer equipment, to intellectual property, trade secrets, and know-how, with care and ensure their efficient and proper use. We must all use good judgment to ensure that Abbott’s assets are not lost, stolen, misused, or wasted.
Protection of Abbott Assets & Reputation
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Abbott’s reputation is one of its greatest assets. We are each responsible for enhancing and protecting Abbott’s reputation. We are each personally accountable for any views or content published or shared with people outside the company.
In external interactions, we need to be mindful of whether we can be identified as affiliated with Abbott, and consider how any statements related to our work may reflect on the company. This is especially crucial in the context of social media where interactions are quick and dynamic and can become highly visible. Careless communications can pose a significant risk to Abbott’s reputation. We are all responsible for employing careful communication strategies in our communications and protecting Abbott’s confidential information.
Confidential Information
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One of Abbott’s most valuable assets is its confidential information. Confidential information is information that is not publicly available and includes research and development projects, trade secrets, business plans, manufacturing formulas and processes, supplier or customer contract terms, pricing, sales figures, bids, quotes, pricing proposals, responses to tenders, and non-public financial results, or any other information that might be of use to Abbott’s competitors or harmful to Abbott if disclosed.
Each of us must be vigilant to safeguard confidential information and prevent unauthorized disclosure or use. Confidential information should not be shared with competitors. These obligations may extend beyond employment with Abbott.
Similarly, we respect the intellectual property rights of others and will not inappropriately obtain or misuse their confidential information.
Confidential Information
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Misuse of specific confidential information is prohibited by law, such as laws prohibiting insider trading based on non-public information. Insider trading is both unethical and illegal, and we must not buy or sell securities of Abbott, or of other companies doing or expected to do business with Abbott, based on such information.
We respect the privacy of those who entrust their personal information to us, including our colleagues and the people who recommend, prescribe, and use our products. When we collect personal information in the course of our business, we appropriately inform the people whose information we collect about how it will be used, and obtain appropriate consent or authorization. We do not sell personal information or obtain personal information from sources that do not have authorization.
We protect personal and sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure and use. Many locations have strict regulations requiring companies to protect personal information collected and used in the course of business, especially for the most sensitive categories of personal information, and we are committed to understanding and following these requirements.
Anti-Bribery
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As patients, family members and care givers, we want our doctors, nurses and pharmacists to recommend the products and treatments that will best suit our needs, using their professional judgment. Patients and consumers should be able to rely on the independent judgments of their health advisors, without concern that those judgments have been improperly influenced by incentives from companies seeking to promote their products.
As citizens, we want our government officials to make decisions that serve the best interests of the people. Such government decisions should not be improperly influenced by companies seeking favor for their corporate interests through incentives to government officials.
Anti-Bribery
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As we market and sell our products, we educate and inform health care professionals, but do not interfere with their independent, professional judgments. It is never permissible to offer or provide anything that directly or indirectly benefits a government official, a health care professional (such as a physician, pharmacist, nurse, researcher or laboratory staff), or any other person, in order to make a sale or secure a business advantage for Abbott. Similarly, it is never acceptable to provide anything of value as a “reward” for any past or existing relationship with Abbott.
Anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and “anti-kickback” laws make it especially important that we demonstrate our commitment to preventing improper influence in business transactions in all of our interactions. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other relevant country laws in these areas potentially apply to Abbott’s activities around the world, and bribery is illegal everywhere.
Everyone at Abbott must proactively manage relationships with service providers (such as distributors, consultants, speakers or promoters) to ensure that services performed on Abbott’s behalf are carried out in accordance with our expectations and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We must use due diligence when selecting service providers, pay fair market value for services, and accurately document payments for services, fines, fees and the like.
Gifts, Meals & Entertainment
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Accurate Books and Records
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Our financial books, internal records and documentation, and public statements must accurately reflect the substance and facts of our actions. When we are measuring or describing our successes, failures, and routine operations, the facts must be presented in sufficient context and with adequate support to understand the true nature of our activities or transactions. Our financial records must conform to applicable accounting standards, laws and regulations, as well as Abbott’s policies, procedures and controls.
When we report information, such as pricing or payments and items of value provided to physicians and other customers, the information must be complete and accurate. Many governments around the world have strict laws regarding price reporting and reporting of certain payments to health care professionals. These laws help protect taxpayers, who ultimately pay for some or all of the purchases within the health care system. Abbott is committed to ensuring that we provide accurate information to allow governments, insurers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions.
Compliance with Laws
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Every Abbott employee is expected to adhere to all laws and Abbott’s policies, procedures, principles and standards, including this Code. This is a fundamental expectation and condition of employment.
Compliance with Laws
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Abbott’s policies and procedures cover topics related to important aspects of our operations, including health care compliance, quality, engineering, customs and trade, finance, security, purchasing, human resources, and information systems, to help ensure that we comply with the many laws and regulations governing our business. Such policies and procedures enable us to detect, correct and prevent non-compliant activities.
As employees of a global company, we must keep in mind that the laws of one country may apply to the way we work in other countries. We must be mindful of the requirements for each location, and seek guidance from the Legal Division or the Office of Ethics and Compliance whenever we face a question about which requirements apply.
Fair Competition
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We must compete aggressively in the marketplace to best serve our customers’ needs and enhance shareholder value.
Fair Competition
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In doing so, we will not engage in agreements or activities that unfairly limit competition. We are committed to complying with competition laws in every country where we do business. These laws prohibit agreements that eliminate or discourage competition and apply to many aspects of our business, including relationships with competitors, prices and terms of sale to distributors and other customers and marketing and trade practices. Competition laws are very complicated and penalties for violation may include high fines and even imprisonment. It is important that you do not engage in any activity that could be viewed as anticompetitive, and consult with Legal or the Office of Ethics and Compliance if you have questions.
We must always exercise caution when interacting with competitors. You should not discuss sensitive business topics such as prices, sales terms, business or marketing plans, margins, costs, production capacity, inventory levels or discounts with competitors. You should contact Legal or the Office of Ethics and Compliance for specific guidance about the laws relating to your interactions with competitors and to report any inappropriate conversations with competitors.
Applicability
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Waivers & Amendments
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Abbott will make public disclosure, to the extent required by applicable laws, rules and regulations, of any waivers of, or amendments to, this Code.
Any waiver of this Code for a person covered by this Code may be made only by the Chief Executive Officer (or designee), except that a waiver for an Executive Officer requires approval by the Audit Committee of the Abbott Board of Directors.
Resources for Abbott Employees
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If you have questions on how our Code of Business Conduct applies to your specific job role, the best place to start is with your immediate manager or supervisor.
For our corporate policies and procedures applicable companywide, visit the Abbott Corporate Policy Portal.
The OEC is a corporate resource available to address your questions or concerns about our company’s values and standards of conduct.
Resources for Abbott Employees
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If you have questions about the laws, regulations, and acceptable business practices, the Legal Division can assist you.
Resources for Abbott Employees
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For employee-related issues, such as concerns involving management and/or other employees, contact your local Human Resources representative.
There are many other resources available to you:
Resources for Abbott Employees
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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