Materiality Topic Definitions

Air Pollution – The direct or indirect release of air pollutants resulting from business activity, potentially harming human health and the environment.

Biodiversity & Ecosystems – Preventing loss of and restoring plant and animal species; protecting and restoring natural habitats and well-functioning ecosystems.

Chemical Use & Substances of Concern – The use of substances with the potential to harm humans, animals, or the environment, including in a product at a concentration that poses a risk of adverse effects.

Climate Change Adaptation – The process of communities, companies, and/or individuals adjusting to the effects of climate change, both actual and expected.

Climate Change Mitigation – Actions to limit climate change (e.g., reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reducing deforestation, reforestation, transitioning to renewable energy, etc.).

Community Health, Safety & Wellbeing – Programs and practices that assess, manage and mitigate health and safety impacts on communities from a company’s operations, upstream and downstream value chain.

Consumer Rights – Ability of consumers and end-users to obtain reliable, accurate and relevant information about products and services, as well as the right to be heard by manufacturers and retailers, including a means of redress against them if required.

Corporate Ethics & Code of Conduct – Standards and practices that prevent and address unethical or irresponsible behavior, including political responsibility, prevention and detection of bribery, fraud, corruption etc., and protection of whistleblowers.

Corporate Governance & Transparency – Visibility of corporate behavior and policies, including payments to governments, rights of shareholders, etc., as well as compliance with laws and regulations issued by local, regional and national governments, regulatory authorities and public agencies.

Employee Diversity & Inclusion – Composition of workforce, management & board reflective of the diversity (gender, age, race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, etc.) of communities where the company operates; access to opportunity for all employees.

Employee Health, Safety & Wellbeing – Implementation of policies and programs to support  health, safety and wellbeing (mental and physical) of employees; provision of health and safety training, tools and standards to avoid and address significant/critical health and safety incidents.

Employee Development – Providing training and support for employees to acquire skills and advance their careers.

Employee Engagement & Freedom of Association – Promoting and respecting dialogue between and among employees including access to and awareness of grievance mechanisms and upholding freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Energy Use – A company’s total energy consumption, improvement in energy efficiency, use of coal, oil and gas-related activities, and the share of renewable energy in its overall energy mix.

Human Rights in 3M’s Workforce – Protection and monitoring of employees’ human rights including identification and addressing incidents and risks of modern slavery, child or forced labor, and a respectful culture with zero-tolerance against all kinds of illegal harassment.

Human Rights in 3M’s Value Chain – Protection and monitoring of human rights in the value chain including identification and addressing incidents and risks of modern slavery, child or forced labor, and a respectful culture with zero-tolerance against all kinds of illegal harassment..

Infectious Diseases & Public Health – Efforts to minimize the impacts of infectious diseases on customers, businesses, and society.

Labor Rights & Working Conditions in 3M’s Value Chain – Treatment of workers in the upstream (suppliers) and downstream (channel partners) value chain due to labor practices and working conditions (hours, wages, safety, discrimination, grievance mechanisms and freedom of association).

Manufacturing & Operational Waste – Waste reduction and management strategy, including the management of pre-consumer waste within its operations.

Materials Sourcing – Consideration of social and environmental impacts associated with materials used in products (including packaging); ethical sourcing and traceability of critical raw materials and rare minerals.

Microplastics – Plastics smaller than 5mm that do not biodegrade and accumulate in the environment, including in the sea, food and drinking water.

Privacy & Data Protection – Security and safety of personal data of customers, employees, business partners, and other entities collected and/or held by the business; safeguarding personal information from unauthorized access, use or dissemination.

Product Accessibility – Equal access to, and operation and understanding of, products and services by persons with functional limitations, including people with disabilities.

Product & Consumer/User Safety – Ensuring the well-being of consumers and end-users (including children) by preventing accidents, injuries, illnesses and other incidents caused by the ownership and/or use of products which may negatively impact their health and safety.

Product Design & Circularity – Circular design, manufacturing and use of materials in products with the intention to be easily reused, repaired or recycled.

Product Innovation to Solve Environmental & Social Challenges – The process of creating a new product, or improving an existing one, to solve climate, health, and safety challenges in a novel way.

Responsible Marketing Practices – Adherence to advertising standards/regulations and ethical and responsible marketing practices, including avoiding misleading or deceptive advertising and discriminatory or predatory marketing practices.

Rights of Indigenous Communities – The acknowledgement and inclusion in decision-making processes of human, social, civil, political, economic and cultural rights of local communities and indigenous peoples, including free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), individual and collective rights, self-determination, rights to land, resources, education, health, employment, language, adequate housing and food, clean water and sanitation, etc.

Soil Pollution – Efforts toward preventing, controlling, and reducing soil pollution, including any introduction of substances into soil, whether at the production site, or through the use of its products and/or services.

Supplier Management & Engagement – Transparency and management of the company’s supplier relationships and its impacts on its supply chain (e.g., approach to supplier relationships, social and environmental criteria for supplier selection, etc.).

Treating Employees Fairly & Equitably – Promoting and respecting fair and equitable working conditions and pay including secure employment, reasonable working hours and fair wages.

Water Pollution – Efforts toward preventing, controlling, and reducing the direct or indirect release of water pollutants resulting from business activity, potentially harming human health and the environment.

Water Use & Stewardship – Responsible management of water use and replenishment, water quality, and wastewater discharge in operations and supply chain.