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Overarching Policies

Every policy within Bristol-Myers Squibb flows from and supports the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge. First published in 1987 and renewed in 1998, the Pledge is a fundamental element of our corporate culture. It sets forth our concern for the interests and expectations of our stakeholders and applies to our operations around the globe. Among other things, the Pledge is a formal commitment to conscientious citizenship. It supports environmental progress, a safe work environment, and policies and practices that fully embody the responsibility, integrity, and decency required of free enterprise if it is to merit and maintain the confidence of our society.

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge is, in essence, our company’s sustainable development policy. In it we support economic progress, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. By following the Pledge, we are moving on the path toward sustainability.

The Pledge has been translated into the major languages of the countries in which we operate.

 

Social and Economic-Related Policies

Through the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge, our company fosters an ethic of promoting social and economic progress. From fair wages and equitable treatment for employees to ethical practices with our contractors and suppliers, the Pledge addresses a full range of sustainability issues.

Corporate EHS Policy

We developed a worldwide environmental protection policy in 1983 and have periodically reviewed and improved the policy to take into account changes in stakeholder expectations. In 1995, we integrated health and safety into the policy. We clarified and simplified our EHS policy in 1997 and translated it into the languages of the countries in which we operate.

We published an updated EHS policy in 2005. Among the key enhancements to the policy is the addition of new language on working with stakeholders to promote progress, setting and communicating progress on leadership goals, and promoting dialogue and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns. We actively distribute the policy so that employees at every level and function within the company clearly understand their responsibilities in its implementation.

Implementing the Precautionary Principle

Doing business in a sustainable manner encourages innovative approaches to government regulation and is essential in developing and maintaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Bristol-Myers Squibb believes that open markets and real economic growth are necessary for creating the capacity to meet environmental challenges. We recognize that the integrity of natural systems – land, water, air, and biodiversity – is critical to both economic and environmental vitality. Scientific uncertainty alone should not preclude efforts to address serious environmental, health, and safety threats.

Bristol-Myers Squibb takes a precautionary approach when there is potential harm to human health or the environment. For example, despite some disagreement in the scientific community regarding the impact of human activities on global warming, the company has established a 2010 goal to reduce our direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent from 2001 to 2010, normalized by sales.

Voluntary Standards

Bristol-Myers Squibb was one of the first companies in the world to self-declare that our companywide EHS management system meets or exceeds the requirements of ISO 14001, a voluntary, international specification for environmental management systems. Many of our facilities have obtained third-party certification to the ISO standard.

The Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Performance Track is a public/private partnership recognizing top environmental performance among participating U.S. facilities. The Bristol-Myers Squibb facilities in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Wallingford, Connecticut, have been accepted into Performance Track. This program motivates facilities to take extra steps in preventing pollution, improving community involvement, and enhancing economic prosperity. The Lawrenceville facility joined this program in October 2000 and has set goals to reduce water usage, greenhouse gases, and energy consumption, while continuing to increase the use of recyclable materials. In January 2004, the Wallingford facility was accepted into the program for excellence in environmental stewardship.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Silver Track Program is a voluntary, performance-based program that provides incentives to those companies that have gone above and beyond standard regulatory requirements. In July 2001, the Hopewell and Lawrenceville sites were accepted into the Silver Track program. Bristol-Myers Squibb is the seventh organization within New Jersey to become a member of the Silver Track Program. The goals of the Silver Track program and the National Environmental Performance Track program are in alignment with our Sustainability 2010 Goals.

Business Association Memberships

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a member of many business associations whose activities foster sustainable development, including:

  • Business for Social Responsibility, a nonprofit membership organization that helps companies be commercially successful in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, people, communities, and the environment.
  • International Safety Council, an organization that provides training, expertise, products, and services related to all areas of safety, health, and the environment.
  • EHS group of the Organization Resources Counselors, a forum for corporate managers with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) responsibilities to examine issues and to help shape policies.
  • World Environment Center, an independent, not-for-profit, non-advocacy organization that contributes to sustainable development worldwide by strengthening industrial and urban EHS policies and practices.
  • Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI), a group of leading companies dedicated to fostering EHS excellence among businesses worldwide. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a founding member of GEMI and one of our senior EHS professionals serves on the GEMI Board of Directors.
  • Iniciativa GEMI (IGEMI), a sister organization to GEMI, based in Mexico. Bristol-Myers Squibb is an active leader within IGEMI.

Employees from Bristol-Myers Squibb facilities around the globe serve in prominent positions within business associations and civic organizations. In accordance with the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pledge, our employees strive to encourage activities within external organizations that promote sustainability.

Supply Chain Management

Bristol-Myers Squibb works with suppliers in an attempt to ensure the highest level of quality, expertise, experience, and fit with our operating culture. We expect our suppliers to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements, including environmental management.

Supplier Evaluations

Bristol-Myers Squibb may conduct a Quality or EHS evaluation of a contractor or supplier. Determining whether an evaluation is warranted depends on the extent of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s involvement in the operations of the contractor or supplier, as well as the nature of such operations.

In addition, we have developed an EHS questionnaire that may be sent to third-party manufacturers that manufacture, finish or package Bristol-Myers Squibb products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates or other critical non-commodity materials.

Based on the results of the questionnaire, we may conduct a site evaluation. EHS works closely with sourcing staff to determine the priorities for the site evaluation. The evaluation team will make recommendations and then develop and track an action plan for the contractor. The questionnaire or site visit may be repeated periodically, based on risk.

During 2006, Bristol-Myers Squibb conducted 32 questionnaire reviews with 25 on-site visits. Bristol-Myers Squibb conducted 39 questionnaire reviews with 35 on-site visits during 2007.

Through initiatives such as this, Bristol-Myers Squibb benefits by:

  • Sending a clear message to our suppliers that EHS is important
  • Supporting our ability to recognize strong performers among our suppliers
  • Strengthening our ability to encourage EHS performance among our partners
  • Receiving feedback on best practices and opportunities for continued partnership and dialogue with supplier

Contract Employees

Bristol-Myers Squibb uses agencies that provide temporary employees to perform a wide range of services, and our EHS staff is developing guidance that addresses key issues, such as training. EHS personnel also evaluate contracts for maintenance, mailroom, security, cafeteria, and other services to make sure that they cover EHS performance issues. A guideline for developing a contractor safety program is published on the company’s internal EHS website.

Supplier Diversity

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Supplier Diversity Program pursues business partnerships with small and diverse businesses. We seek to identify today's most promising suppliers in order to build successful relationships for the future. Bristol-Myers Squibb believes that everyone benefits when all businesses are afforded an opportunity to compete in the market place. Our supplier diversity program is charged with cultivating relationships with minority- and women-owned small businesses in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that share the company’s commitment to excellence.

In 2005, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s purchases from minority- and women-owned businesses totaled more than $945 million. As a percentage of the total value of company purchases, 2.95 percent came from minority-owned, 3.23 percent from women-owned, and 20.03 percent from small businesses. We follow the U.S. Small Business Administration guideline regarding goals for minority- and women-owned and small businesses (5 percent minority-owned, 5 percent women-owned, and 23 percent small businesses).

Bristol-Myers Squibb demonstrates our support by participating in professional diversity organizations, including:

  • Institute of Supply Management Supplier Diversity Pharmaceutical Forum (Co-chair 2003-2005)
  • Board member and national sponsor of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
  • National sponsor of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
  • Member of The Council (New York/New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council)
  • Member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council PA-DE-NJ, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 


Last updated July 11, 2008 . Italicized product names are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company or one of its divisions or subsidiaries. Copyright © 1998-2006 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Your use of the information on this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Notices.

 

Also in this section:

Structure & Governance

Stakeholder Engagement

Management Systems

On this page:

Social and Economic-Related Policies

Corporate Environment, Health, and Safety Policy

Implementing the Precautionary Principle

Voluntary Standards

Business Association Memberships

Supply Chain Management

Contract Employees

Supplier Diversity

Supplier Evaluations

EHS Policy translated for our visitors who speak...








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