Lexmark Commitment
Corporate Social Responsibility
In terms of business activities, sustainability is not a new term. Yet it has become one of those meaningful issues that occasionally emerge that cannot be dismissed as merely a trend. That’s because government agencies, businesses and individuals alike have embraced the concept in a much broader sense than merely an economic one. Sustainability must be integrated into human rights, societal issues and perhaps most important, the environment. It is a generational issue — perhaps the major issue of our time.
At Lexmark, we realize our responsibility as a global entity to operate our business in a manner that results in a better world from both a humanitarian and an ecological perspective. We accept the challenge to build products that positively impact all the people our company touches and all those who touch our products. From the first glint of an idea, to a product’s end of life; from our employees and their families, to our neighbors; from our suppliers to our shareholders; from our political governments, to their citizens.
We believe that accessible and regular documentation of our efforts to be a responsible corporate citizen is critical to improvement in our sustainability efforts. We are committed to transparency in running our business as well as in the reporting of the Company’s environmental and social progress. This report addresses 100 percent of all GRI indicators including environmental, product, finance & economics, society, human rights and labor.
We have identified five components of sustainability that, in particular, have substantial materiality to our operations and this report is segmented by those components. You will note as you read these sections that measuring progress against and in the context of goals and objectives is a substantial part of Lexmark’s management approach.
Lexmark is committed to honest exchanges and believes that exploration and dialogue relative to these issues will result in advancing our efforts. We want to engage our stakeholders on every level and realize that their input is relevant and beneficial. In support of this objective, this year we have changed our Corporate Social Responsibility report from a view-only PDF document to one of considerable interactivity.
In essence, we are all stakeholders in each other. Your comments are welcome at csr@lexmark.com as we consider constructive feedback an important tool from which we can enhance our sustainability success.
Environment
As a global corporate citizen, Lexmark is sensitive to global ecological issues. We are committed to being a responsible neighbor and employer. Utilizing a wealth of talented people and our financial resources, we have become a leader in the area of environmental stewardship.
Society
Lexmark sells its products in over 170 countries around the globe and has facilities or offices in more than 70 of those nations. Such a broad footprint makes it imperative that our operations have a positive effect on the citizens of those communities in which we do business.
Workplace
Safe, healthy working conditions, job security and an opportunity for growth and advancement are considered fundamental human rights for employees of Lexmark. All decisions related to our workforce – internally and through our supply chain – are made with those rights in mind. The pages within this section will expand upon our commitment to the betterment of our employees’ and their families’ lives including opportunities for personal growth and empowerment such as training and ongoing education.
Customer Experience
When our customers buy Lexmark products, they can be assured they're purchasing from a company that is not only determined to provide a quality product and unique solution at a good value, but they’re purchasing from a responsible company that is sensitive to health and safety and environmental issues.
Socially Responsible Investing
Investors today are not only seeking companies that perform well financially but also those that perform well through the lens of social responsibility. In particular, companies are expected to be conscious of the environment, highly regard human rights and be good citizens to their neighbors. Socially responsible investing is coming to be the norm. In keeping with this trend, Lexmark has three ongoing investment agreements which include human rights clauses, specifically prohibiting investments in companies which engage in discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or veteran status.
Ethics
We believe that ethical behavior is critical to Lexmark's vision, “Customers For Life.” All Lexmark business units are regularly analyzed for risks related to corruption. The Company has designed and adopted employee and supplier codes of conduct that help to mitigate these risks. A formal risk assessment focused on corruption is included in Lexmark’s audit plan. The audit plan is reviewed and approved by the Finance and Audit Committee of Lexmark’s Board of Directors on an annual basis.