Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Wellness, Health & Safety
• Compliance & Ethics
• Environmental Sustainability
• Diversity & Talent
• Philanthropy
• Quality Assurance

Environmental Achievements

• Scrape Your Plate program diverted food waste, preventing 1.7 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
• MeritSmart™ Shipping reduced corrugated boxes and plastic bubble wrap by over 100 tons.
• eWORQ program estimated to save 2.8 million sheets of paper and 20,000 plastic sleeves annually.
• Reduced blister packs and film thickness in several products, saving over 20 tons of plastic per year.
• Implemented reusable universal transport trays, avoiding over 1,600 disposable trays per month.
• Electric vehicle charging stations prevented 7,785 kg of GHG emissions.
• Merit Tijuana uses propane-powered buses, reducing emissions by approximately 15% compared to diesel.

Social Achievements

• Added the position of Chief Wellness Officer (CWO).
• Launched 90-day Wellness Challenge with an average weight loss of 16 pounds per employee.
• Expanded wellness programs in Tijuana and Galway.
• Operates on-site health clinics at Salt Lake City and Tijuana.
• Operates a free on-site employee dental clinic at Salt Lake City.
• Five consecutive years of zero increases to employee health insurance premiums.
• Introduced Spanish-Speaking Production Lines at Merit Salt Lake City.
• Celebrates employee service milestones with yearbooks.
• Partners with local school system in Tijuana to provide on-site education opportunities.
• Sponsored annual Kid-to-Work Day.
• Hosted Back-to-School Fair in Tijuana.
• Partnered with Dress for Success Dublin to promote gender equality.

Governance Achievements

• Maintains ethical and responsible policies and practices.
• Compliance and anti-corruption policies ensure interactions with medical professionals benefit patients.
• Compliance is monitored by the Chief Compliance Officer, reporting to a Compliance Committee and the Board of Directors.
• Provided over $400,000 in unrestricted educational grants.
• Conducted a country-of-origin inquiry regarding conflict minerals.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Environmental impact of single-use plastic medical products.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Attracting, developing, and retaining top talent.

Mitigation Strategies

• Increased recycling and reuse programs.
• Implemented sustainable energy programs (e.g., Blue Sky program, electric vehicle charging stations).
• Implemented programs to reduce emissions (e.g., Scrape Your Plate, propane-powered buses).
• Integrated diversity and inclusion strategies into business, recruitment, and internal initiatives.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 57 supplier audits in 2019

Responsible Procurement

• Partnering with suppliers that have sustainability goals (e.g., FSC-certified supplier).

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Awards & Recognition

• Shingo Prize (Merit Tijuana)
• 2019 Healthcare Heroes Award (Shingo Institute)
• 2019 Sustainability Leadership Award (Utah Business Magazine)
• 2019 A Giant in our City (Business Intelligence Group)
• 2019 Green Business Award (Salt Lake Chamber)
• 2019 Manufacturer of the Year (Utah Business Magazine)
• 2019 Manufacturer of the Year (Utah Manufacturers Association)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• COVID-19 Response
• Enterprise Opportunity Management
• Health & Safety
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Compliance & Ethics
• Quality Assurance
• Environmental Sustainability
• Philanthropy

Environmental Achievements

• Four of eight manufacturing sites achieved ISO 14001 certification.
• Recycled more than 15,000 metric tons of waste.
• Reduced corrugated boxes and plastic bubble wrap materials by more than 100 tons per year through Merit Smart Shipping™.

Social Achievements

• Implemented a work-from-home policy for eligible employees.
• Provided additional sick time (pandemic pay) for employees impacted by COVID-19.
• Partnered with various organizations to support low-income women, single mothers, and refugees.
• Established a Women’s Leadership Network in Merit Asia.
• Developed Merit Asia Academy for employee skills development.
• Partnered with NUI Galway Youth Academy and Galway Science Festival.

Governance Achievements

• Improved grant policies and processes to ensure compliance with the US Office of Inspector General.
• Implemented a Global Complaint Management System.
• Deployed a Global Learning Management System.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic impacted operations and supply chains.
• Water risk varies significantly by operating location.
• Reducing GHG emissions and improving energy efficiency.

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented new global policies and response teams to address COVID-19.
• Increased production of syringes for vaccine distribution.
• Developed the Cultura™ family of products (nasopharyngeal swabs and media for PCR testing).
• Implemented water-efficiency projects at various sites.
• Set 2030 goals for renewable energy, energy intensity, GHG emissions, and water intensity reduction.
• Implemented ISO 50001 certification for EMS at various sites.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 25 audits in 2020

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier selection based on risk assessment, regulatory compliance, supplier performance, and Merit requirements.
• Ongoing monitoring of supplier performance.
• Partnership with FSC-certified supplier for paperboard packaging.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: COSO Enterprise Risk Management, ISO 31000:2018, ISO 13485:2016, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, EU MDR, ISO 14971

Certifications: ISO 13485:2016, ISO 9001:2015, MDSAP, ISO 14001 (at four manufacturing sites), ISO 50001 (at Merit Galway)

Third-party Assurance: BSi (for South Jordan, UT facility EU MDR compliance)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Merit Smart Shipping™ program

Awards & Recognition

• National Irish Safety Organization Safety Quiz 2020 (Merit Galway)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Compliance & Ethics
• Employee Health & Safety
• Environmental Sustainability
• Product Quality and Innovation
• Philanthropy

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced GHG emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 3,202 MT of CO2e from 2020 to 2021.
• Decreased energy intensity by 9% compared to 2020.
• Decreased GHG emissions intensity by 24% compared to 2020.
• Increased renewable energy usage by 15% compared to 2020.
• Reduced water intensity by 7% compared to 2020.
• Saved approximately 211,000 lb in eliminated packaging materials.
• Recycled more than 20,000 MT of waste.

Social Achievements

• Launched a global wellness program, "Get Healthy."
• Launched North America Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI).
• Achieved a total recordable injury rate (TRIR) of 0.80, a significant reduction from 1.10 in 2020.
• Maintained zero cost increases to employees for health insurance premiums for seven consecutive years.
• Various diversity and inclusion initiatives across global locations, resulting in 34% women in management and 56% women in the global workforce.

Governance Achievements

• Improved grant policies and processes to ensure compliance with the Corporate Integrity Agreement.
• Enhanced systems and processes to adapt to the changing legal and regulatory landscape.
• Conducted a country-of-origin inquiry regarding conflict minerals.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Climate change and its impact on global operations.
• Water risk at several manufacturing locations.
• Environmental impact of single-use medical devices.
• Supply chain disruptions.

Mitigation Strategies

• Enterprise Opportunity Management (EOM) program to assess risks and opportunities.
• Implementation of water efficiency projects at various sites (e.g., water recirculation systems, xeriscaping).
• Multi-year project to reduce unnecessary product packaging.
• Increased use of renewable energy.
• Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) to address disruptions.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 24 audits in 2021

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier assessments and approvals; ongoing performance monitoring; partnership with FSC-certified supplier for packaging.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 (at some sites)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Smart Shipping program

Awards & Recognition

• 2021 Green Business Award (Utah Business)
• Stevie® Awards for Frontline Medical Hero of the Year (Dr. Nicole Priest)
• 2021 Healthcare Hero (Fred Lampropoulos, Utah Business)
• Top Employer China 2022 award (Merit Asia)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change & GHG Emissions
• Environmental Impact of Products & Services
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Supply Chain Management
• Product Quality & Safety
• Business Ethics/Code of Conduct

Environmental Achievements

• 35% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity compared to 2020 baseline
• Increased renewable energy share to 26% from 5% in 2020
• Reduced unnecessary packaging by approximately 551,550 lbs
• Recycled more than 3,300 MT of waste

Social Achievements

• Launched first formal employee wellness activities calendar
• Completed first global employee engagement survey with 83% participation
• Created a global Inclusion and Diversity Council
• Improved Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) to 0.7 from 0.8 in 2021

Governance Achievements

• Achieved ISO 45001 certification at all major manufacturing sites
• Approved new iterations of 12 compliance policies
• Developed and adopted a Field Inventory Policy in the US

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• 12% increase in energy intensity compared to 2020 baseline
• Water scarcity risk at Tijuana, Salt Lake City, and Pearland facilities
• Managing climate change risks and opportunities across global operations

Mitigation Strategies

• Investing in water-efficiency initiatives (xeriscaping, water recirculation systems)
• Developing capital expenditure plans to address future water risks in Tijuana
• Increasing the use of renewable and carbon-free energy
• Implementing programs to reduce emissions from transportation

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 34 audits in 2022

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier self-assessment questionnaires on ESG initiatives
• Management of modern slavery and conflict minerals risks

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Water scarcity
• Extreme weather

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes

Opportunities

• Increased use of renewable energy

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB

Certifications: ISO 50001 (five of six largest sites), ISO 45001 (all major manufacturing sites), My Green Lab (Merit Ireland R&D lab)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Reviewing materials used in devices to find eco-friendly alternatives

Awards & Recognition

• Newsweek America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023
• Top Employer 2022: China
• Utah Business Corporate Counsel Award
• My Green Lab Certification: Merit Ireland R&D
• 2022 Supplier Legacy Award (Premier Inc.)
• Honorary Adjunct Professor (Fred Lampropoulos)
• 2022 Manufacturing Leader of the Year (Fred Lampropoulos)
• National Irish Safety Organization (NISO) Safety Awards: Merit Ireland

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change & GHG Emissions
• Environmental Impact of Products & Services
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Product Quality & Safety
• Supply Chain Management
• Business Ethics/Code of Conduct

Environmental Achievements

• Decreased energy intensity by 20% compared to 2020 baseline.
• Decreased GHG emissions intensity (scopes 1 and 2) by 35% compared to 2020 baseline.
• Increased renewable energy share to 36% in 2023 from 5% in 2020.
• Decreased water intensity by 17% compared to 2020 baseline.
• Reduced packaging materials by approximately 146,000 lbs in 2023 and 600,000 lbs since the inception of the Merit Smart Shipping initiative.
• Recycled approximately 2,500 MT of waste in 2023.

Social Achievements

• Maintained a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.8 in 2023, below the industry average.
• Launched EMEA Women’s Leadership Initiative.
• Improved employee engagement scores and participation rate compared to 2022.
• Implemented 500+ local and a global action plan based on employee feedback.

Governance Achievements

• Established a global Inclusion and Diversity Council.
• Continued progress on compliance, including new iterations of compliance policies and a new escalation policy for administrative lapses.
• Expanded compliance team in the Asia-Pacific region.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Climate-related risks such as drought, severe storms, and rising costs of energy and materials.
• Transition risks from policies affecting other sectors, carbon pricing, and potential litigation.
• Water scarcity at manufacturing locations in Tijuana, Mexico; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Pearland, Texas.

Mitigation Strategies

• Investment in infrastructure resilience and supply chain redundancy.
• Implementation of water-reduction and efficiency projects (e.g., xeriscaping, water recirculation systems).
• Use of the Water Risk Filter to understand basin water risk.
• Engagement with energy providers to purchase more renewable energy.
• Exploration of carbon offset credits.
• Business Continuity and Crisis Management System (BCMS).

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 46 audits in 2023

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier selection, qualification, and monitoring based on risk.
• Partnership with Sedex to improve supply chain sustainability.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Drought
• Severe storms

Transition Risks

• Rising costs of energy and materials
• Carbon pricing
• New regulations

Opportunities

• Efficient recovery from natural disasters
• Competitive advantage through CAPEX investments in resilience
• Development of climate-friendly medical technology

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Review of materials used in devices to find eco-friendly alternatives.

Awards & Recognition

• Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable US Companies 2024
• Top Employer 2023: China
• 100 Companies Inspiring Women
• Utah Business CXO of the Year and CHRO of the Year
• Top 50 Women Leaders of Salt Lake City 2023
• National Irish Safety Organization Safety Awards: Best MedTech Company for High Achiever Award