Alcon 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report

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2020 Corporate

Responsibility Report
See Brilliantly
2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Times of uncertainty, challenge


and change test us all. Throughout
our entire 75-year history as a
company, our commitment to
helping the world See Brilliantly
has never wavered.
This steadfast commitment was
the story of 2020 for Alcon.

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Contents 4 Message From Our CEO 13 Benefiting Our Customers


and Patients
37 Caring for Our Environment
39 Global Environmental
14 Medical Innovation Sustainability Strategy
5 About Alcon 18 Product Quality 40 Sustainable Products & Services
7 2020 Report Highlights and Patient Safety 40 Environmental Sustainability
8 Our Approach to Sustainability 19 Clinical Trial Standards Scorecard
8 Prioritizing What’s Material 20 Access, Affordability 42 Environmental Management
8 Reporting Frameworks and Pricing System
9 Purpose and Impact 22 Philanthropy 42 Reducing Our Environmental
Footprint

10 Managing During COVID-19 27 Winning in the Workplace 46 Working With Integrity


1 1 Protecting Our Associates 28 Talent Attraction and Retention 47 Business Ethics
12 Serving Doctors, Patients 30 Training and Development 48 Ethical Marketing & Interactions
and Customers 31 Engagement with Healthcare Professionals
12 Serving Our Community 32 Diversity & Inclusion 49 Bribery and Corruption
35 Health and Safety 49 Fair Competition Practices
49 Training & Awareness
50 Monitoring Ethics Compliance
50 Speak Up Culture
51 Responsible Procurement
and Supply Chain
53 Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

54 ESG Performance Data


59 Content Indices
60 SASB Index
62 GRI Index
68 TCFD Framework
69 Disclaimer

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

A MESSAGE FROM and also supported productivity for our remote


workers. I can’t thank them enough for their
Finally, we are making progress with our environmental
sustainability efforts. Our materiality assessment
OUR CEO determined efforts to serve patients. has shaped our priorities in the management of carbon
emissions, waste, water, and energy and we have
For more than 75 years, Alcon Throughout the pandemic, we have maintained detailed our strategy and action plan in this report.
has been guided by its purpose of full employment and salary levels. In addition, we We are currently taking the steps to holistically assess
helping the world See Brilliantly. collaborated with the industry on safety protocols
and workflow strategies, engaged our customers
our global environmental footprint. When completed,
this study will inform our future strategy in sustainability.
Last year, we demonstrated with educational content and practice resources, and
our unwavering commitment to transitioned our philanthropy efforts to support critical I want to acknowledge the enormous resilience of
needs in our communities. I am proud of the way our our associates this year, especially our frontline workers,
this purpose as we faced significant company responded to the healthcare crisis. whose dedication demonstrated our commitment to
challenges with a new global health patients and customers during the global health crisis.
Despite significant uncertainty, we also remained They continue to drive our purpose in creating a world
pandemic. It is my pleasure to share steadfastly committed to our strategic initiatives where everyone has the ability to See Brilliantly.
with you, in our second Corporate and innovation agenda. We stayed on course with
our separation activities, substantially completing
Responsibility Report, how Alcon our separation in the first half of 2021, and made
managed the crisis, protected our great progress with our transformation efforts. David Endicott
associates, served our customers, With the continued implementation of our new
contact lens manufacturing lines, we launched
Chief Executive Officer
Alcon Inc.
and advanced our agenda a new contact lens brand this year. We maintained
for long-term value creation. steady investments in our innovation pipeline and
introduced a new stage-gate process to align our
Last year, as the pandemic began to take shape, we cross-functional teams at the start of every project.
assembled our Alcon Crisis Management team (ACM) As part of our product design process, we began
early to coordinate our global actions. Within days, integrating environmental sustainability requirements
the ACM implemented a series of global and local to support our commitment to reducing waste and
protocols, processes, and procedures to keep increasing circularity in our products.
associates safe and maintain business continuity.
At the core of our success are Alcon’s people and
While many of our corporate associates transitioned culture. This past year, we continued to build on our
to remote work, thousands of associates in values with new programs that support our associates.
manufacturing plants, warehouses, and distribution Because we believe we are building a company whose
centers remained in their current work environments best innovations are informed by diverse perspectives,
to continue to deliver an uninterrupted supply of we established D&I as an enterprise-wide priority with
products and services to our customers. Our teams specific management objectives. Our Diversity and
rapidly implemented on-site safety protocols that Inclusion (D&I) office and Executive Diversity Council
mitigated the risk of infections across our global sites renewed our D&I strategy and utilized our employee
resource groups for input.

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About Alcon
$6.8B
2020 net sales
Alcon is the global leader in eye care,
dedicated to helping people see
brilliantly. With our 75-year heritage,
we are a leading eye care company
operating in over 75 countries and
serving patients in more than 140
23,000+
associates
countries. Our signficant investments
in Research and Development support
our track record of innovation that
has created a history of industry firsts.
140+
countries served

100+
pipeline products under
development

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Our business VISION CARE SURGICAL

focus
We are one of the largest manufacturers of We offer the industry’s most complete line
contact lenses and lens care products. Our of ophthalmic surgical products, enabling
Vision Care portfolio offers a broad range of surgeons to achieve the best results for
daily disposable, reusable, and color-enhancing their patients. Our surgical portfolio includes
contact lenses and a comprehensive portfolio technologies and devices for cataract,
of ocular health and pharmaceutical products. retinal, and refractive surgery, as well as
These include products for dry eye, glaucoma, advanced technology intraocular lenses to
contact lens care, and ocular allergies, as well as treat cataracts and refractive errors, like
ocular vitamins and redness relievers. presbyopia and astigmatism.

Vision Care $3.1B (45%) Surgical $3.7B (55%)

• Ocular Health (40%) • Implantables (30%)


Dry eye products Monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs)
Allergy eye drops Advanced technology IOLs
Contact lens solution
• Consumables (53%)
Alcon 2020 total sales
• Contact Lenses (60%)

$6.8 Billion
Dedicated consumables
Daily lenses Custom surgical packs
Reusable lenses Procedural products
Cosmetic lenses
• Equipment/Other (17%)
Cataract equipment
Retinal equipment
Refractive equipment
Diagnostic and visualization
Equipment service
Procedural eye drops

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

2020 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

c $600+ million in R&D c Integrated sustainability into our


investments product development process
c ~5,000 surgeons trained under c Certified ~95% of manufacturing
Benefiting Caring
our customers our Phaco Development Program for our sites to ISO 14001 with a goal
and have performed surgeries on environment of 100% in 2021
patients over 6 million eyes since 2008
c 3 sites using 100% renewable
c 130 medical missions in purchased energy
50 countries in 2020
c Zero Manufacturing Waste policy,
with ~60% of sites 100% landfill-free
for non-hazardous waste disposal

c Provided full employment c Sourced ~14% of US procurement


and kept our associates safe spend from diverse suppliers
during COVID-19
c 99.5% of full time associates
Winning Working
in the c Created a Office of Diversity with completed our mandatory Code
workplace and Inclusion to advance our integrity of Conduct training
D&I initiatives
c Matured the cybersecurity program
c 49% global female representation and substantially stood up Alcon’s
for entire labor force new enterprise system infrastructure
c Alcon recognized as employer
of choice

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Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Our Approach to Sustainability


We are committed to fostering a sustainable business that supports
the well-being of our associates, customers, communities, and planet.
We strive to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
objectives into our decision-making to deliver long-term value for all
of our stakeholders. The Board of Directors, principally through the
Governance and Nomination Committee, oversees Alcon’s sustainability Alcon Board of Directors
initiatives as part of its charter.
Governance and
Prioritizing What’s Material
Nomination Committee
Our stakeholders and third-party reporting frameworks guide our
actions and reporting. To identify the sustainability issues most
important to our business, we undertook a materiality assessment
in 2019. Alcon worked with a sustainability consultancy to conduct a
materiality assessment following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
process of identification, prioritization, and validation. For the purposes
of this report, we use GRI’s definition of “material” topics to reflect
Alcon’s most significant economic, environmental, and social impacts. ESG Executive Steering Committee
In addition to reporting on our material topics, we also cover other
significant topics in depth in the following pages.
Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, Innovation,
Reporting Frameworks Legal, Manufacturing and Quality
This is our second Corporate Responsibility Report since becoming Responsible for identifying and managing Alcon’s
an independent company in 2019. This report provides insights environmental and social impacts
into our governance and management practices (including policies,
responsibilities, processes, and initiatives), details the results of our
efforts, and highlights success stories in our highest priority areas.
We are committed to transparency in our disclosures. Unless otherwise
specifically stated, this report covers Alcon’s 2020 performance.
ESG Working Group Environmental
We use the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Medical
Sustainability
Equipment & Supplies standard, along with the GRI framework in
Philanthropy, Investor Relations, Committee
IT and Privacy, Health, Safety
our reporting. This year, we have also begun using Task Force and Environment (HSE), Human
on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) to guide our reporting Resources, Legal and Compliance,
and discussions with the Alcon Board and our management team Market Access, Procurement,
regarding the risks of climate change. Supply Chain, Quality and R&D

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Purpose and Vision impairment is more than an

1 billion people living with


inconvenience. It can compromise

Impact
independence and threaten
economic security. Eye problems
can also imperil our health and
safety, increasing the risk for
automobile accidents, workplace
some form of uncorrected
We help people
vision impairment
injuries, and falls among older adults. 1
Vision impairment undermines
See Brilliantly quality of life, often contributing

by creating products to higher rates of depression and


anxiety and greater social isolation.
that restore vision. It also has significant economic
implications, not only to the patient,

90% of vision impairment


but to caregivers, family members
The need to improve access to quality and the broader community. The
eye care is evident. More than 1 billion Lancet Global Health Commission

is preventable or treatable
people are living with uncorrected estimates vision impairment resulted
vision impairment, and 90% of these in $411 billion in lost economic
individuals live in low- and middle- productivity in 2020.
income countries (LMIC). However,
there are also areas in some of the Alcon is committed to alleviating
world’s wealthiest countries where eye the health and economic burdens
care is scarce and healthcare system of uncorrected vision impairment.

$411 billion global


gaps limit access to eye care. We partner with local, regional,
and global eye care non-profits to
elevate eye health as a priority. We

productivity loss from


also direct resources to political
advocacy, eye health awareness,
quality eye care treatment, eye

vision impairment
care systems, and workforce 2
development. (see Philanthropy on
page 22 for more information)

( 1 ) World Health Organization, World Report on Vision, October 2019


( 2 ) The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health, February 2021

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
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Managing During
COVID-19

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Protecting Our Associates At the onset of the pandemic, we Our regional and country leaders
implemented new safety measures continue to partner with our global crisis
to protect associates on-site, such as team to oversee local case data and
Our crisis management team modified workstation arrangements, public health advisories. We are providing
spearheaded our globally reducing the crossflow of associates Re-entry Toolkits and strategies to
between shifts, enhanced cleaning support associates as they transition
coordinated COVID-19 and sanitization, use of personal back into the workplace.
response to protect associates protective equipment and pre-entry
temperature screenings. All office-based We are creating intentional opportunities
around the world. By associates were encouraged to work for meaningful conversations to foster
leveraging enhanced safety from home, while our sales and customer a high level of awareness. In addition to
service teams delivered remote We developed an Employee Engagement frequent engagement surveys, our people
and sanitation protocols, our account management. Toolkit to help our leaders engage with leaders are engaged in regular two-way
manufacturing and distribution their teams. The toolkit provided guided dialogue through town halls, coffee chats,
We also recognized the need to keep check-in conversations and ways to one-on-one engagement and skip-level
associates safely continued our teams mentally and physically healthy. build online communities, so everyone meetings. Furthermore, we continue to
operations without disruption The challenges arising from a global maintained a sense of belonging. We also support associates’ physical and mental
health crisis require leaders to think developed a toolkit for our customers to health, psychological safety and work
to production. differently. It was critical to not just focus use within their organizations. flexibility while some of our locations
on what we said or did, but how we make transition back to the office.
our teams feel supported, connected,
and valued.

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Serving Doctors, Patients and Customers


The crisis demanded an even greater focus on patients, doctors, and customers
than ever before. We collaborated with the industry to develop new safety
protocols and patient workflow strategies, resources to guide our customers in
navigating governmental economic relief programs and managing the transition.
We invested in resources to educate customers on the safe use of contact lenses
and leveraged our online fulfillment platform in the US to allow consumers to
procure their contact lenses while optometrists’ offices were closed.

Our ability to maintain business continuity also enabled us to meet our customers’
needs despite varying stages of reopening and government-mandated
restrictions. Our supply chain team executed mitigation plans to secure critical
materials and minimize supply chain disruption. Better demand forecasting
and the use of enterprise-wide systems and procedures helped maintain
strategic inventory reserves for key products and new product launches. We
have selectively built multiple sources and distribution pathways for critical
components and strengthened our relationship with single-source suppliers,
which will increase the resilience of our supply chain.

We invested in developing future skills and expertise in the many markets we


serve. Spurred by COVID-imposed lockdowns, in 2020 we started Alcon On, an
online platform for training, to assist doctors in real-time in the operating room.
This program provided mentoring and assistance to more than 8,000 medical
practitioners in 2020. Following the success of this program, we plan to scale
Alcon On in 2021 and beyond as a means of providing more effective, timely, and
cost-efficient support to ophthalmologists.

Serving Our Community


To address the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alcon developed
procedures for safe and effective donations. Our corporate philanthropy
identified three core support areas: health services, hunger relief and hygiene.
The Alcon Foundation donated ophthalmic equipment, vision care products, and
personal protective equipment to support frontline workers during the pandemic.
Many of our sites extended our corporate support, initiating additional efforts in
their local communities.

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
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BENEFITING OUR CUSTOMERS AND PATIENTS

We serve customers, patients,


and society by driving innovation,
delivering product quality and
safety, and increasing access to
eye care.

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Medical Innovation In 2020, we invested over $600 million toward the creation of
innovative products to meet our customers’ and patients’ needs,
with 78 new product approvals in major markets and 8 first-
Alcon’s annual research in-market launches in 2020, including the first non-diffractive
intraocular lens, Vivity. Our R&D organization employs more
and development investment than 1,400 people, including physicians, doctors of optometry,
engineers, scientists, and PhD holders.
is among the largest in the
eye care industry. Our market-leading position gives us access to a wide range
of potential R&D projects, and it makes Alcon an attractive
collaborator for industry partnerships and start-up initiatives.

2020 INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS

$600M+ 78
new product
8
first-in-market
Vivity 1,400
invested toward the the first non-diffractive R&D associates
creation of innovative approvals in major launches 1 extended depth of employed
products markets focus intraocular lens

1US / EU / Canada / Japan / Brazil / Korea /


Australia / China / Russia / India

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Our R&D priorities:


> Advanced technology intraocular
lenses that improve visual outcomes

> Equipment and instrumentation for


cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive,
and glaucoma surgeries that improve
safety, accuracy, and efficiency

> Diagnostics and visualization

> Digital health solutions to improve


medical practice efficiency

> New contact lenses and lens designs

> Presbyopia-correcting technology

> Dry eye and ocular allergy drops

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

New Product Highlights

2020 was one of the most prolific years in Alcon’s history of innovation.

Vivity PRECISION 1 Pataday


Vivity is the first and only extended depth PRECISION1 is our newest daily silicone In 2020, we received FDA approval to
of focus intraocular lens (IOL) with the hydrogel contact lens, which brings long- switch Pataday with olopatadine from Rx to
Wavefront Shaping X-Wave technology. lasting comfort and water gradient technology over-the-counter, making the number one
It is ideal for cataract patients wanting to see to a wider base of wearers. Alcon launched prescribed allergy drop ingredient accessible
clearly far away and at arm’s length, while PRECISION1 sphere and PRECISION1 for to more patients. Last year, we introduced
still enjoying functional near vision. In 2020, Astigmatism, expanding its portfolio of two formulations, Pataday Once Daily Relief
Alcon introduced Vivity in Europe, Australia, spherical, toric, and multifocal lenses. and Pataday Twice Daily Relief, and in early
and Latin America, and in 2021, Alcon The launch of PRECISION1 for Astigmatism 2021 we brought Pataday Extra Strength over-
brought Vivity to the US. expands our offering for astigmatic patients the-counter, offering customers and patients
who have historically been underserved by a full 24 hours of eye allergy relief.
the eye care industry. In 2021, Alcon brought
PRECISION1 to Europe and Japan.

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Governance and Oversight In 2020, we refined our stage-gate process to


be more inclusive of critical stakeholders during
Project selection, prioritization, and governance Alcon Board of Directors the ideation and development processes with
are critical components for managing our pipeline
Innovation Committee two important changes. First, we increased
and optimizing our investments. The governance
multifunctional representation in the process,
structure is designed to accelerate innovation while • Oversight into R&D initiatives
which now includes R&D, manufacturing, quality,
balancing factors such as customer and patient • Monitor progress of Tier 1 programs
regulatory, clinical research, legal, market
needs, growth potential, investment requirements, • Develop key performance access, marketing, finance and commercial
technical and regulatory risk, return on investment, indicators for long-term incentives
teams. The program strengthens our focus on
and capital requirements. We use a risk-based
key stakeholders and project management, drives
methodology to facilitate agile innovation. Projects
greater speed of implementation, reduces
that are low in risk or complexity operate within
cost of goods, and considers environmental
a scaled stage-gate process, while high risk and Executive Committee of Alcon (ECA) sustainability and market impact as key factors.
complex projects operate within our traditional • Led by our CEO
stage-gate process and receive increased levels of • Monitor Tier 1 and Tier 2 programs Second, we launched an ideation program to identify
technical oversight and management attention.
• Track key performance indicators new product or market opportunities. Ideation takes
• Finalize Board recommendations strategic or crowd-sourced ideas and conducts
short studies for rapid evaluation. This program
High

enables us to be more intentional about investing in


Board of Directors adjacencies and white space opportunities that
Capital intensity

Innovation Committee
could improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Risk

ECA
Global Franchise Team (GFT)
• Oversight over Tier 3 projects
GFT
Increased multifunctional
representation to bring
Low

Low Complexity High

Tier 1: High risk, high technical complexity or high concepts to market more
capital intensity; projects approved by the ECA and
governed by the Board of Directors under the guidance
of the Innovation Committee and management
rapidly
Tier 2: Moderate risk, moderate technical

Launched an ideation
complexity or capital intensity; projects operate
within our stage-gate process and are governed
by the ECA

Tier 3: Low risk, low technical complexity, program to identify


new product or market
low capital intensity; projects executed with
stage-gates and have moderate governance/
oversight by the GFT
opportunities
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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
Highlights Sustainability During COVID-19 Customers & Patients Workplace Environment Integrity Data Indices

Product Quality & Patient Safety and local regulatory changes, and adjusts our
processes and procedures to adhere to current
Product quality and patient safety are at the center
of everything we do. Our standards and focus on
Chief Executive Officer standards, regulations, and best practices.
continuous improvement are high, and we have well- Our QMS uses industry-recognized risk management
established, rigorous safety procedures designed standards to mitigate risks and reliably produce
to comply with all quality and safety laws and high-quality products. We design and manufacture
regulations in every country where we distribute our products using the requirements prescribed in our
our products. SVP, Global Quality
QMS. We reference external standards and comply
with all relevant regulatory requirements.
Oversight and Process
Alcon has an independent Quality organization to Global subject matter experts provide cross-functional
Quality Leadership Team expertise to support our quality process and use
assure autonomy of oversight. The Quality function Technical Operations Quality, Compliance and Audit, Quality
hosts regular management review forums related Management Systems, eCompliance and Data continuous improvement tools to streamline
Integrity, Post-Market Quality (including Vigilance),
to product and process quality. Regional Affiliate Oversight
our processes and maintain the effectiveness of
our procedures.
Global Medical Safety We design our products to exceed customer
of our operations and maintenance of required
Our Chief Medical Officer oversees medical safety expectations and manufacture products to high-
certifications. We flexed our internal audit procedures
and leads Alcon’s Global Medical Safety group. quality standards using state-of-the-art technology.
toward virtual auditing, completing audits as planned
The group monitors for quality and potential adverse As part of our relentless effort to continuously
for our internal operations as well as external suppliers
events and supports risk management activities for improve our quality systems, Alcon collaborates with
and service providers.
patient safety. Our team also reviews safety trends industry stakeholders, public-private partnerships, and
cross-functionally to make safety and management government agencies to benchmark best practices
The Quality Compliance team reviews events with
decisions. As needed, the group escalates issues to and improve product quality and safety. In addition to
the potential to adversely affect product quality or
our Quality Compliance group to determine whether the routine audits conducted by our internal teams,
pose a risk to regulatory compliance, conducting
they require market action. regulatory bodies around the world also verify the
market actions if warranted.
safety and compliance of our products and operations.
Quality Compliance Our Post-Market Quality team determines whether
Alcon’s Quality Compliance team audits our internal an event is reportable and submits these events
processes and suppliers for compliance with approved to regulatory authorities based on the rules of QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
processes and procedures. By continuously auditing each country. Alcon product and process experts • Covers all Alcon sites
our internal compliance, we have built good standing thoroughly investigate all concerns about our • Certified to ISO 13485 and MDSAP (Medical
with health authorities and regulatory bodies for products. We also use customer feedback to drive Device Single Audit Program) for Australia, Canada,
consistently meeting and exceeding applicable product enhancements. US, Japan and Brazil
regulations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we
• Ongoing certification for EU Medical
actively engaged health authorities and regulatory Quality Management System (QMS) Team
bodies to adapt to inspection and audit for remote Device Regulation
Our QMS team is responsible for establishing and
execution, ensuring continued regulatory oversight • Requires contract manufacturers to be certified
maintaining a robust and compliant quality assurance
to relevant standards, including ISO 13485 and
system across the entire company. The QMS team
local regulations
regularly monitors industry trends, as well as global

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2020 Report Our Approach to Managing Benefiting Our Winning in the Caring for Our Working With ESG Performance Content
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Risk Assessments and Monitoring We also maintain a dedicated Corrective and Our policies and standards apply to all Alcon-
Preventive Action program that outlines the sponsored clinical investigations regardless of
Once products are marketed, we conduct periodic
procedures to investigate incidents and implement therapeutic area or geographic location of the study
risk reviews with our R&D, Global Medical Safety, and
corrective and preventive actions in the event sites, as well as to all locations and affiliates that
Quality teams to monitor the performance of our
of a product safety complaint or other issue. Our conduct clinical investigations with human subjects.
products, processes, and systems.
investigations identify the root cause and prescribe We protect the welfare of clinical investigation
appropriate action based on the risk level. We are subjects, including their safety, right to privacy and
We set quality targets for the various key performance
committed to transparency on product issues — protection of data, and protection from abuse, in
indicators, review our quality metrics monthly, and
see our ESG Performance Table in the appendix accordance with all applicable regulations. Our
perform quarterly reviews with our management
of this report. policies on post-trial access to products direct how
team. Alcon Quality Analytics (AQA), our global
we supply our products to a country before they
metrics dashboard launched in 2020, automates
our data collection under a single system. Through Training are approved. Using the appropriate ethical- and
regulatory-compliant mechanisms, certain products
the AQA dashboard, we detect, review and address All personnel, especially those performing tasks that
can be imported into a country prior to approval to
emerging quality trends. We continually improve may affect product quality, are required to complete
allow healthcare professionals access to products
the dashboard to meet our business requirements. necessary education and qualification to perform
that would otherwise be unavailable for their
When needed, we complement the AQA dashboard their work. Associates are regularly trained to ensure
patients. We manage these cases under the local
with Quality Health Summaries, a tool that allows us they maintain the required level of competence and
law and regulations of the country from where the
to closely monitor and correct underlying causes consistently meet all applicable federal, state, and
request originates.
of identified product issues, as well as proactively local government regulations and guidelines.
monitor the performance of new product launches.
We monitor all clinical trials to ensure safety and
Clinical Trial Standards compliance. In the case of an issue, we track clinical
Alcon is actively engaged in the Medical Device
Alcon is committed to conducting safe and ethical trial violations through an internal system, where we
Innovation Consortium’s Case for Quality Collaborative
clinical trials. We have established policies and document non-conformances and corrective and
Community, where medical device stakeholders work
procedures to ensure full compliance with global preventive action plans. We regularly report to the
together to enhance device quality and patient safety.
regulatory requirements and our own high standards. FDA and other regulatory bodies any required issues
Participants include: during our clinical trials.
• US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) The Alcon Quality Manual requires that Alcon must
• Medical Device Companies conduct or support clinical investigations only if All Alcon-sponsored studies are registered, and results
• Healthcare Providers they are ethically defensible and scientifically valid. are posted on public databases where and when
• Payor Organizations Investigations must be conducted in compliance required, in accordance with applicable regulation
• Trade Associations with Good Clinical Practices and international and in a given jurisdiction. These include, for example,
• Education Institutions national regulations, laws, and guidelines, such as clinicaltrials.gov, the European Union Clinical
ISO 14155 and ICH E6, where applicable, and with the Trials Register, and the Australian and New Zealand
As part of our participation, we have proactively ethical medical research principles outlined in the Clinical Trials Registry.
engaged with and received positive feedback from Declaration of Helsinki.
the US FDA on our continuous improvement
efforts. Our quality system benefits from ongoing
collaboration and feedback from critical regulatory
stakeholders like the US FDA.

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Access, Affordability & Pricing


Sustainable patient access to quality eye care is core to our business. Alcon
Our Value Framework has invested significant resources to innovate new technologies, expand
reimbursement pathways (public and/or private insurance), and teach new skills
to clinicians around the world to improve patient outcomes and eye
We consider multiple factors when developing care access.
our market access strategies:
Alcon partners with healthcare decision makers to improve cost, access, and
quality of care. Our Market Access team reports to our Presidents of Surgical
Value to clinicians, healthcare decision makers and patients and Vision Care franchises and supports global access by working with regional
is the foundation of our Value Framework. By providing strong and local payors to support reimbursement for products and procedures. The
evidence of positive patient outcomes, we can support and Market Access team collaborates with R&D, clinical research, marketing, and
expand funding and/or insurance coverage for our products commercial teams to create economic evidence that supports the patient
and services. Evidence of value includes clinical outcomes, and societal benefit for the newly launched technologies. The Market Access
efficiency, economic factors, and strategic differentiation of our team also directs activities in Health Economics and Outcomes Research. This
technologies. Where possible, we translate clinical outcomes to research is used to communicate an evidence-based value proposition with
economic value, patient quality of life, and/or improvements in patients, customers, payors and healthcare decision makers.
productivity.
Pricing That Fosters Access
Reimbursement mechanisms and funding flow is the second
factor in our Value Framework. We consider available public and We consider local market conditions and access barriers, and evaluate
private payment mechanisms to make our products affordable traditional and innovative reimbursement models in determining price.
Furthermore, we take into account factors including geography, customer
to patients, doctors, and customers. Where reimbursement does
needs, volume, product cost, and investments. In various countries, we
not yet exist, we provide strong evidence of our product value to
negotiate pricing contracts for our products through competitive tenders
payors to develop funding pathways that make our technologies
and requests for proposals (RFPs), which keep the pricing of our products and
accessible.
services within our customers’ reach and ability to pay.
Market landscape and global environment is the third factor in
Alcon tracks our product price performance in the markets we serve, as well as
our Value Framework as we seek to price our products in a way
our incremental reimbursement success rate. In some markets, like the US and
that is accessible to the local market. We consider each country’s
Australia, the weighted average price of our products has increased, while our
stage of market development, healthcare infrastructure, the
prices have decreased in other markets such as India and China.
population’s ability and/or willingness to pay, and alternatives
available to customers.

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Phaco Development (PD) Program Alcon PDS travel to PD participant hospitals and work
shoulder-to-shoulder with hospital eye care teams,
Access to cataract services is often limited and
making sure they use best practices and newly learned
rudimentary in low-income and/or remote areas
skills to deliver the best outcomes for patients.
of the world. Delayed or lack of treatment can lead
to patients being needlessly blind. The Vision Loss
The program curriculum and standards attract
Expert Group estimates that 17 million of the 43 million top talent who are seeking career development
people living with blindness are “cataract blind.” As opportunities in an environment supported with
the population ages, the demand for cataract surgery advanced technology. PD faculty use the International
and well-trained cataract surgeons in low-income Council of Ophthalmology–Ophthalmology Surgical
areas will only increase. If we’re not able to meet that Competency Assessment Rubrics (ICO-OSCAR) to
demand, more people will lose their sight. Fortunately, score each surgery and assess trainees’ skills against
there is a solution. international standards.

The key to addressing this cataract care crisis is The PD program is helping transform the eye care
twofold: training and distribution. Our training is landscape in underserved markets. Successfully
focused on upskilling ophthalmologists so that they are completing this training gives surgeons the experience
proficient in the latest techniques and technologies. It and skills to deliver consistent, high-quality patient
is equally important to consider how to best optimize outcomes. As doctors learn new skills and patient
distribution of those ophthalmologists so that services outcomes improve, demand for phaco cataract
are available in underserved cities. This approach procedures increases. Whereas most PD participants
makes eye care and all the opportunity that comes with had been performing basic cataract surgery prior to
it available to low-income, underserved populations. joining the PD program, participant follow-up indicated
92% of participants in India were performing phaco in
Alcon’s Phaco Development (PD) program is the
world’s preeminent course in empowering surgeons
their practice at the end of year one.
17 million people are
to provide sustainable cataract patient care in
underserved communities. Alcon partners with
Since its inception in 2008, Alcon’s PD program
has enrolled nearly 5,000 surgeons in core and
cataract blind
ophthalmic teaching institutions to provide surgical advanced phacoemulsification courses, and those
training that is often not available in medical school or PD participants have performed six million sight-
residency programs. A dedicated Alcon team of more enhancing or restoring phaco procedures in
than 200 phaco development specialists (PDS) support Asia and Russia. The patients are primarily in 5,000 surgeons enrolled
surgeon training in Russia, China, India, Vietnam, underserved cities where care had previously been
Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal to increase capacity limited or unavailable. Building on the PD program’s in PD program
and access to phacoemulsification (phaco) —the success, we have expanded this development
standard of care in cataract surgery. model and program to train doctors on vitreoretinal
surgery through the Alcon Vitreoretinal Development
The intensive PD instruction includes wet labs, hands-on
surgical training on advanced technology, lectures, and
Program in China and India.
6 million phaco procedures
video-assisted teaching. We supplement and reinforce
the PD course training conducted at PD training centers
In 2020, the PD program was responsible for
• > 1,200 courses conducted
performed
with continuous, onsite operating room support. • > 390 new doctors trained
• ~ 1,100,000 procedures provided by
PD-participating doctors
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Philanthropy
Rooted by our corporate mission of helping people see The Alcon Foundation supports eye care
brilliantly, Alcon’s philanthropy efforts focus primarily programs in underserved areas around the world,
as well as community-based initiatives. These
on increasing access to eye care. Working with our
initiatives strengthen and revitalize our local
extensive network of partners and programs, we
communities and help address essential issues,
strive to provide quality eye care services, enhance
including food, insecurity, homelessness, literacy,
eye care systems, and increase the capacity of eye
and healthcare.
care providers through services, systems, and talent
development.
We support optometry programs that provide
vision exams, eyeglasses, and other treatments
A variety of factors, including cost, distance, quality
through global non-governmental organizations
of care, system capacity, and lack of eye health (NGOs) such as VisionSpring, as well as
awareness, limit individuals’ ability or willingness community partners like the Community Eye
to get eye care. The Alcon Foundation and Alcon Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas. We also collaborate
Cares support and actively engage with non-profit with international NGOs such as Orbis, Mercy
organizations like EYElliance, Orbis, SEE International,
and VisionSpring to identify and address barriers to
care in underserved areas around the world.
Ships, Helen Keller Intl, and SightLife to
eliminate preventable blindness in underserved Alcon Cares donated
$20 million in products
communities around the world. With their
emphasis on training local eye care teams, these

and equipment in 2020


organizations are helping to improve both the
volume and quality of eye care in low- and middle-
Alcon’s charitable contributions income countries.
support eligible non-profit organizations
through two separate entities: the Alcon Cares donates surgical equipment to help
Alcon Foundation, which provides
monetary donations, and Alcon Cares,
expand capacity for free or low-cost services to
eligible patients in partner hospitals and clinics. In Volunteer surgeons
which provides product and equipment
addition, Alcon Cares donates products and lends
portable phaco units to organizations that organize performed 10,700
donations. and sponsor medical missions. During those
medical missions, volunteer medical teams treat cataract and
patients and train local eye care professionals.
Alcon Cares-supported programs have served other surgeries
approximately 400,000 patients per year. In 2020,
Alcon Cares supported more than 130 missions
to 50 countries, where volunteer surgeons
performed more than 10,000 cataract and other
surgeries and treated close to 85,000 people.
Alcon Cares donated $20 million in products and
equipment in 2020. To help address the eye care
gap in the US, Alcon Cares partners with volunteer
surgeons to provide free surgery to eligible un-
insured and underinsured patients in the US.

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Advocacy Programs Education and Awareness of Eye Health


Advocacy programs that encourage discussion People often are not aware of the benefits of cataract Cataract surgery and
eyeglasses are two
and collaboration with Ministries of Health optimize surgery and accept going blind as an inevitable part
solutions for growing public health issues. For of aging, which is an avoidable outcome. Programs

of the most effective


example, EYElliance unites Ministries of Health, NGOs, that train and deploy community health workers
and other stakeholders to replicate and scale service- are highly effective in increasing awareness of eye

means of all health care


delivery models for increased access to affordable eye health, particularly in rural areas. Community health
care and eyeglasses. Alcon Foundation is supporting workers are trusted resources for their neighbors.
EYElliance’s 2020 – 2021 National Eye Health Initiative They dispel misinformation, share facts, and connect
in Liberia, which is creating a robust, government-
managed national eye care system that serves children
patients to well-trained eye care providers. Alcon
Foundation supports Sightsavers’ program in Nampula,
interventions
and adults. Working with EYElliance, the Liberian Mozambique that trains community health workers to
Ministry of Health re-categorized and elevated eye perform screenings and refer patients for care. compared to 91 per million in Switzerland and
health as a standalone health issue and created new 59 per million in the US. In locations where eye care
roles to manage and execute the national eye health Treating Unmet Eye Care Needs may be readily available in urban areas, we partner
program rollout. with organizations to build capabilities and capacity
Cataract surgery and eyeglasses are two of the most
in rural communities. Emory Eye Center and Orbis
effective means of all health care interventions.
are two organizations we’re partnering with through
Because treatments for cataract surgery and
the Alcon Foundation and Alcon Cares to grow and
refractive error could address more than 90% of
strengthen the eye health workforce so more people
unmet eye care needs, we direct the majority of our
can receive quality eye care.
philanthropic support to these areas. We support
patient cataract surgery education, services, vision
Their training systems and models focus on developing
screenings, exams, and eyeglasses in underserved
eye care teams’ skills to international standards and
areas with targeted monetary, product, and
working holistically to build capacity. We’re proud to
equipment donations. And given our focus on quality
support the work that Orbis started in 2020 to solve
of care and patient outcomes, increasing access to
training gaps created by COVID so that we don’t lose
phaco surgery – the international standard of care –
the next generation of eye care professionals.
is a priority.
Working closely with partners who share our
Building Capabilities and Capacity commitment to increasing access to eye care, we
Increasing access to care requires a larger and more provide resources that deliver eye care services, build
skilled eye care workforce. There are entire countries eye care systems, and train eye care practitioners so
that have a shortage of trained ophthalmologists, that one day everyone – regardless of their location or
optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and ophthalmic ability to pay – can see brilliantly.
technicians. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa there
may be as few as one ophthalmologist per million

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SERVICES distribute COVID-19 information to 100,000 people; children from low-income families in many US cities.
and delivering food and PPE kits to 7,000 truck Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the CVP
VisionSpring – Vision Spring’s programs in India
drivers in India’s transit hubs. Having partnered partners served 8,000 elementary school students in
work with NGOs, hospitals, eye surgery centers,
with VisionSpring since 2010, we were familiar with the Fort Worth Independent School District during the
governments, and charitable entities across 55
the breadth and strength of their networks and 2020-21 school year. In the coming school year, Alcon
districts and 12 states to provide Base of Pyramid (BoP)
distribution channels in India. When they had to is broadening the program to offer additional eye
consumers, defined as people living on less than $4 a
suspend some of their eye care programs in 2020, the health information and resources to help students and
day, with accessible, affordable, culturally appropriate
Alcon Foundation redirected a portion of support from their families incorporate regular comprehensive eye
optical goods and services. With their improved vision,
their comprehensive eye care programs to their COVID exams into their healthcare priorities.
VisionSpring clients are able to return to or continue
response efforts.
to work, receive an education, and live safer, longer
Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) – KYCO
lives. During the pandemic, VisionSpring transitioned
Children’s Vision Program (CVP) – Eighty percent of and Alcon Foundation joined forces in 2018 to deliver
to COVID response, providing one million units of PPE
classroom learning is visual. For more than 10 years, optometric services to Central Appalachia, a rural area
across seven countries and 17 Indian states; producing
the Alcon Foundation has engaged partners, including of the US, where barriers such as a scarcity of ECPs
and distributing 100,000 cloth masks to households
Essilor Vision Foundation and Helen Keller Intl, to and city services combined with significant levels of
in India; implementing a door-to-door campaign to
provide services, including exams and eyeglasses, to poverty, have created communities with epidemic
rates of severe vision loss. KYCO Clinical Services
program provides care to underserved patients
through an on-campus teaching clinic and 11 partner
community clinics located throughout
Central Appalachia. The team served more than
3,000 patients in 2020.
We support programs that provide quality eye care
Services services and build capacity in marginalized areas. Mercy Ships – Long-time partner, Mercy Ships,
deploys the Africa Mercy to countries in sub-Saharan
We support efforts to build infrastructure and Africa to serve patients with limited or no access to
Systems sustainable eye care systems. healthcare and train and mentor healthcare providers.
In 2020, doctors performed 543 eye surgeries
We support training, mentoring, and education to
Talent develop talent and a thriving eye care ecosystem.
(primarily cataract) in the Alcon-equipped surgical
suite, three ophthalmic surgeons participated in two-
week surgeon mentorships, and 31 eye care providers

Building
participated in various ophthalmic training courses,
including glaucoma, strabismus, and retina care.
We are looking forward to seeing Mercy Ships double

Capabilities and
Increase its impact when they launch their newest hospital
access to ship, the Global Mercy, in late 2021. The ship, which
eye care Alcon supports with monetary donations from Alcon

Capacity Foundation and product and equipment donations from


Alcon Cares, will begin its first field service in 2022.

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SYSTEMS Emory – The Alcon Foundation’s partnership with the


Global Ophthalmology Emory Program (GO-Emory)
International Eye Foundation (IEF) – IEF partners
is helping to strengthen eye care systems in Ethiopia.
with hospitals around the globe to build capacity and
GO-Emory hosted lectures in visual science and
increase organizational and financial sustainability, and
optics; designed and implemented a study on cataract
develops and improves hospitals’ ability to incorporate
surgery outcomes; and, in March 2020, transitioned
social services into their operations. In recent years,
to virtual courses so they could continue to deliver
Alcon Foundation has directed our support for
instruction and lectures to residents and faculty in
IEF to their India Sustainability Program. In 2020,
Ethiopia during the pandemic.
IEF established a coalition of partners, with Susrut
Eye Center serving as a mentor hospital and training
Foundation American Academy of Ophthalmology
hub to three mentee hospitals in northeast India;
(FAAO) Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring
and increased patient consultations/exams by
Program – To increase diverse representation in
22%, cataract surgery by 37%, and revenue by 15%.
ophthalmology, the FAAO created a program to
support minority medical students in their pursuit
TALENT of a specialty in ophthalmology. Alcon Foundation is
Orbis – Orbis trains eye care teams in areas with the supporting the effort with funding to provide more
greatest need so that they can save sight in their exam prep resources, including interview coaches,
communities. From hands-on learning in the surgical to help students become competitive ophthalmology
suite on the Flying Eye Hospital to virtual classes and residency candidates.
mentoring through their award-winning telemedicine
platform, Cybersight, Orbis training participants
gain and enhance their skills under the tutelage
of the organization’s esteemed volunteer faculty.
Alcon and Orbis have been partners for more than
40 years. In 2020, Orbis hosted their first U.S.-based
training project at the Alcon Experience Center in
Fort Worth, Texas. Doctors and nurses traveled from
Latin America to exchange skills and learn the latest
technologies and techniques. Unfortunately, the
two-week project was halted after a week due to
the pandemic. However, just a few weeks later, Orbis
transitioned to 100% virtual training, and volunteer
Alcon biomedical technicians joined the online courses
to train participants. Across these in-person and virtual
opportunities, Alcon helped to train nearly 100 eye
care professionals from eight countries.

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India
Alcon is working in partnership with the India Ministry hospitals prioritize surgeon training to build both eye
of Health to increase access to quality eye care. care capacity and capability, and are committed to
The eye care market in India is characterized by a providing charitable care to low-income patients. Our

Our efforts
lack of awareness of the benefits of phaco surgery, efforts are helping to restore vision for many patients
and the poor outcomes of cataract surgery that in India before they reach severe levels of near-
discourage patients from seeking care. Furthermore, blindness. For smaller and more rural communities,

are helping to
as in many countries, patients often must travel great the training and phaco technology we provide is
distances for medical attention. We have a long-term helping retain ophthalmologists in those areas. And,
commitment to building awareness for the safety and with word-of-mouth marketing as patients share that
benefits of cataract surgery in India. Our Project 100 cataract surgery is safe and effective, more people are
initiative donates phaco equipment to lower-income
countries, and by the end of 2020, we had placed over
30 machines in India. Project 100 partner clinics and
seeking care and not continuing to live with an easily
treatable disability. restore vision
for many
patients in
India before
they reach
severe levels
of near-
blindness.

Photo credit: Priyanka Mukerjee / VisionSpring

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WINNING IN THE WORKPL ACE

When we win in the workplace,


we win in the marketplace.
We achieve both by attracting
top talent and fostering a safe,
engaging, diverse, and inclusive
work environment.

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The Alcon Blueprint sets the stage for talent and Talent Attraction and Retention We are committed to recruiting and hiring
culture at Alcon and is the foundation for how diverse talent based on market availability.
We focus on building individual and organizational
we attract, develop, and retain top talent. We By working with university recruiting and
capabilities aligned to the needs of our business.
seek diverse talent who embody our values and partnering with organizations like the Society
These include plans for attracting, engaging, and
contribute to a culture that enables us to help of Women Engineers and the National Society
retaining the talent needed to provide us with a
people see brilliantly. We work with associates to set of Black Engineers, we build the diversity of our
competitive advantage. We aggregate and analyze
meaningful performance and career goals and offer talent pipeline. We apply a fair and consistent
critical human capital metrics, including associate
personal and professional training and development process to our recruitment and retention approach
skills and retention, to monitor the success of
opportunities, all while ensuring competitive for all associates in alignment with our Code of
our strategy and adjust as necessary. Our People
compensation and benefits. Business Conduct and our Third Party Code of
Analytics team leverages data from our Human
Conduct, as well as other policies and guidelines.
Capital Management system to deliver metrics that
inform strategy on sourcing channels and talent
acquisition processes and efficiencies.
SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer

VP, Culture, Chief Diversity


VP, Global Talent
Capability, and and Inclusion
Acquisition
Talent Officer
In 2020, we launched an
initiative to develop Alcon’s
global Employment Value
Our Human Resource team develops and manages Proposition, using both
our talent policies and practices. By collaborating qualitative and quantitative
with business operations and supporting function Employment research methodologies.
leaders, we create comprehensive strategic
recruiting and retention plans to meet the needs
Value We leverage these insights
of our business. Proposition to design strategies to
source and attract, engage
and retain our talent.

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Total Rewards Short-term incentives align Our strong benefits package For our US associates, we offer:
associate performance also factors into our talent • Medical, dental, and vision
Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are with our company’s goals and attraction strategy. We offer healthcare plans, including
designed to align incentives with business commitments: competitive benefits for full- domestic partners regardless
goals, encourage the right values and and part-time associates, which
• Annual incentives tied to the of gender
behaviors, and deliver long-term value. vary depending on geography.
company’s financial goals • Group life, accidental death
Generally, we provide healthcare
and personal objectives and dismemberment, generous
The first layer of our rewards program is protection in coordination with
compensation. We offer a combination • Incentive targets defined at government-provided benefits, short- and long-term disability
the country and job level, paid time off, death and disability income benefits
of fixed pay and variable pay, which
with payouts accounting for protection, and retirement • Family supporting benefits,
includes short- and long-term incentives. individual performance income protection, through a including fertility benefits and
• Sales incentives reward combination of company and adoption reimbursement, unpaid
achievement of sales targets statutory retirement schemes. family leave of up to 12 weeks,
breast milk shipping and storage,
• Local bonus/profit sharing Globally, some of the benefits backup childcare and elder care
plans reward team or local we offer include: benefits, and child and elder
site achievements based on
• Medical, dental, and vision care resource referral services
predetermined metrics
healthcare plans • Unlimited time off for all exempt

Long-term incentives instill • Competitive pension and associates and PTO for non-
ownership and accountability retirement benefits in many exempt associates, in addition to
for Alcon’s long-term growth: markets 12 paid company holidays,
including a five-day year-end
• Restricted stock awards and • Telemedicine and telehealth
closure in December
restricted stock units are visits supporting both physical
time-based awards granted and mental health wellness • Flexible spending account for
to key contributors medical and dependent care
• An Employee Assistance Program
• Performance stock units are in 15 countries, including the • Education reimbursement for
performance-based awards US, offering 24/7 confidential full-time associates
for top leaders that are earned assistance to deal with a • Summer hours
if the company achieves three- wide variety of personal issues
year performance goals that could affect associate Our benefits program provides
health, relationships, and job security for life events through
• Other share plans offer broader life and disability insurance,
performance
associate participation and supports saving for retirement,
stake in our company’s long-term • A FlexConnect program offering promotes good health and well-
success flexible working arrangements being and supports associates
Additional information concerning Alcon’s • Generous parental leave benefits and their families during times
short-term and long-term incentive plans of illness.
can be found in the 2020 Swiss Annual Report: • Discounted or free Alcon
https://alconannualreport.com
contact lenses (select
markets only)

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Training and Development Leadership development Our leadership development programs include:
We help our associates achieve their career goals A strong bench of talent is essential so that we can • Rotational Assignments for Developing Alcon
by working with them to define development continue to be successful in the future. In 2020, Resources (RADAR), which identifies key talent within
opportunities and pathways. We give them the 98% of people leaders completed a leadership Alcon’s Manufacturing and Technical Operations (MTO)
tools to take charge, as well as learn through training called “Alcon 20/20, Leading Brilliantly,” and Quality organization and provides rotational
mentoring, coaching, training programs, and to build high-performing teams. assignments to prepare participants for senior
employee resource groups. In addition, we leadership positions
provide specialized training and development, We focus on succession planning for critical
• Leadership Foundations, which prepares our early-career
ensure quality and compliance, and help maintain roles across our company. Our succession planning
professionals for future leadership
our competitive edge. Training programs are program considers company goals and future
developed internally and externally, and are areas of focus to forecast talent development • MTO Quality Technology Rotation Accelerating Career
regularly assessed for effectiveness, relevancy needs at the executive leadership team level Knowledge (M-TRACK), a multi-year rotation program for
and associate satisfaction. We measure the and one level below, as well as other key areas of entry-level associates in MTO, Quality, and IT functions,
effectiveness of our training programs by our operations. We use internal metrics to identify which offers management and leadership training
assessing the impact on the participant and talent gaps and measure the progress of our
their contributions to the business. talent development programs.

WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF


TRAINING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING:
• Alcon Learning Academy for our In 2020,
98%
sales force
• Manufacturing, quality, and
compliance training
• AlconU for marketing training
• Bersin Academy for human of people leaders
resources training completed a
• LinkedIn Learning for leadership leadership training
and personal development called “Alcon
• Consciously inclusive thinking 20/20, Leading
• Global cultural competency Brilliantly”
training
• Job-specific training

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Partnering with educational institutions


We maintain a number of partnerships with local universities Alcon has been recognized as an employer of choice
and educational institutions to provide training and development
for our associates. For example, in Ireland we partner with
Munster Technological University to deliver training programs
to our technicians. In the UK, Alcon partners with faculty
from the London Business School and the University of
Hertfordshire to promote workplace practices that foster
well-being and productivity.

Engagement
Alcon uses a periodic associate survey tool called the Associate
Experience Dashboard (AED). The AED gauges associate
sentiment on a variety of topics, including connection to purpose,
ability to speak up, and empowerment to make decisions. The
survey results help us improve the associate experience, as
well as understand how we execute organizational change and
inform our talent strategy. We were pleased that our AED scores
continued to outperform global benchmarks throughout 2020,
particularly in Collaboration, Authenticity, and Removing Barriers
to Execution. Moreover, all twelve scores covering various
areas improved versus the prior year, which is notable during
a challenging time.

We work to make sure our associates feel supported. Our


executive leadership team leads our annual goal setting process
at the beginning of each year to align associate goals and
performance expectations with our company’s priorities, as well
as identify individual development goals for the upcoming year.
We provide regular developmental review for all associates.

Finally, we monitor associate turnover, including by geography,


business unit, gender, race, and ethnicity in the US, and
tenure. Our global voluntary turnover rate decreased to 4.6%
in 2020 from 6.0% in 2019.

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Diversity & Inclusion We also partner with organizations like Project


Scientist (a youth development organization
We believe we build an even stronger Alcon by
dedicated to introducing girls to STEM education),
cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture.
the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society
At Alcon, our diverse backgrounds and perspectives
of Black Engineers, and the Society of Hispanic
fuel innovation, helping us deliver exceptional
Professional Engineers to source talent in science
patient outcomes and fulfill our purpose to help
and technology.
people see brilliantly.
D&I Training
Our D&I training programs are focused on building a
Our D&I Commitment: strong culture through raising awareness, advanced
learning, skill-building, and supportive action.
• Honor and celebrate all dimensions of diversity Through these programs, we strive to raise awareness
about diversity, deepen understanding of cultural
• Foster a culture of inclusion founded
differences, and build inclusive leadership behaviors.
on mutual respect
• Hold ourselves accountable to diverse We also proudly introduced the Executive Diversity We provide training in several areas, such as:
representation at all levels Council (EDC) to guide the execution of our Diversity • Respect and civility
• Ensure fair treatment, equal opportunity, and and Inclusion strategy throughout all aspects of
• Cultural awareness
support in order to succeed and grow our business. The EDC regularly reviews workforce
analytics and associate engagement results and • Unconscious bias
provides D&I updates to the ELT and to the Board of • Cross-cultural competency
Directors on a regular basis. • Anti-harassment
In 2020, Alcon expanded its resources dedicated to
diversity and inclusion by developing an Office of Diverse Recruitment The social unrest in 2020 created the need for
Diversity and Inclusion, headed by our first Chief dialogue on racial inequality and cultural acceptance
We have implemented a wide range of programs to
Diversity and Inclusion Officer. in society. Throughout June, the D&I Office hosted
recruit diverse talent at all career levels. Some of our
“Virtual Open Door Conversations” to help our
initiatives include:
associates express empathy and understand their
• Reviewing job descriptions for inclusivity roles as advocates for change. We have since
Executive Diversity Council • Requiring a diverse gender, race and ethnicity transitioned facilitation of these engagement
slate for all US new hires opportunities to our business leaders.
• Using interview panels for all levels and types
of positions to minimize unconscious biases Our D&I Ambassador program engages Alcon
President, in the interview process associates all over the globe to create an inclusive
Chief
Global
SVP, Global
Chief Human
Diversity and • Investing in resources to increase diversity recruiting culture through educational opportunities, such as
Business and Resources
Innovation –
Quality
Officer
Inclusion our Cultural Competency, Unconscious Bias, and
Officer Psychological Safety programs, as well as activities
Chair We actively recruit from diverse sources such as
Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We partner to celebrate diversity at Alcon. At our Houston
with local military organizations, and specialized facility, for instance, D&I Ambassadors host an
agencies that focus on veteran/military talent, such as annual Diversity Fair to celebrate the 26 countries
Recruit Military, Orion Talent and the Lucas Group. represented on site.

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Employee Resource We have nine ERGs at various


Groups (ERGs) Alcon locations, and new
chapters are now starting to
Our ERGs support Alcon’s business
goals by providing and leveraging
form outside of North America.
Our current ERGs are:
Inclusive Design
diverse perspectives and insights,
building cultural awareness, and • African Ancestry Historically, product designs
Cultivating Excellence
promoting an inclusive culture. have unconsciously catered to
They support talent attraction and • Alcon Chinese Association
market outreach, and provide men, resulting in unintentional
strong development opportunities • Administrative ergonomic disadvantages
Professionals Network
for our associates. Each ERG has an for women. To address
executive business sponsor. • Latin Employees
@ Alcon Driving Success
this bias, we have modified
our design approach for
• Military Affinity Group
certain products to be more
• Open Professional
Employee Network inclusive of women. Physical
• Women Innovating Now differences in height and
• Working Parents
hand size, and the potential
for repetitive injury, have
• Young Professionals
influenced the design of
our new surgical products.
Through insights provided by
our Women Innovating Now
employee resource group, we
now consider physical height
and hand size in our product
design. In 2019, we introduced
two products designed using
this approach: our surgical
visualization system and hand-
activated forceps.

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Our Diversity In 2020, we hired a third party to perform a full assessment


of our D&I program and have used the results of this assessment
We will measure our D&I progress using key performance
indicators and each member of our executive management

Performance
to develop a multi-year strategy for increasing our diversity team has D&I goals for 2021. We have identified
and fostering a more inclusive workplace. Looking forward, we opportunities to increase the representation of women
will continue to focus on priorities to support the development globally and ethnic diversity in the US at all levels of
of D&I champions; identify opportunities to increase diversity the company. We are also evaluating D&I best practices
in our talent pipeline; and strengthen the connections between for marketing communications and we are investing in
our D&I councils, ERGs, and supplier diversity programs. programs to train our people on how to represent the
diversity of our customers and patients at
We have also included two new metrics in our quarterly AED every touchpoint.
surveys, Acceptance and Inclusion, to help us monitor our
progress in these areas. Additionally, we have introduced the
goal of fostering greater D&I awareness and supporting D&I
initiatives as a company-wide objective in 2021.

49% global female representation


for entire labor force 47% US ethnically diverse for
entire labor force

GLOBAL FEMALE REPRESENTATION GLOBAL FEMALE REPRESENTATION US ETHNICALLY DIVERSE US ETHNICALLY DIVERSE
(manager/supervisor) (manager/supervisor)

48% 47% 49% 47%


42% 44%

33% 34% 34%


31%
25% 26%

2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020

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Health and Safety HSE Management Systems Alcon launched our first annual HSE Excellence
Awards program in 2020. The purpose of this award
Alcon’s commitment to fostering a culture of health Our global HSE standards play a crucial role in
program is to increase awareness of HSE behaviors
and safety creates the right environment to support providing a healthy and safe working environment.
valued by Alcon and to recognize associates for efforts
performance and allow associates to thrive. Our sites use Alcon’s risk management process to
in promoting these behaviors. All Alcon associates are
identify HSE risks and implement the necessary
eligible to participate and the winners are selected by
Our global Health, Safety and Environmental controls. Sites share the results of this process with
a cross-functional selection committee. There are four
(HSE) team develops our corporate HSE policies, senior leadership, and the results are considered
award categories focused on key HSE behaviors.
standards, management tools, and training to help when developing our HSE Annual Plan.
our sites mitigate risk. Each Alcon manufacturing
site has a dedicated HSE team and a cross-functional Our manufacturing site leadership takes a proactive
HSE Committee and designated HSE champions. role in overall safety performance with activities,
Our annual HSE goal-setting process focuses on such as management walk-throughs, town hall
continuous improvement, taking into consideration meetings, and team safety huddles. We have a robust
results of internal and external risk assessments, investigation process that quickly identifies actual
health and safety performance, and changing or potential incidents that could result in a serious
regulatory requirements. injury or fatality. Potentially serious site events are
communicated to all manufacturing sites to determine
In addition, Alcon’s HSE change management process whether the hazard identified may be present at other
• Courageous Leader Award – exceptional
outlines standards for identifying and managing locations and needs to be addressed.
leadership by an excellent role model for
HSE risks associated with capital investment projects
HSE standards
and plant modifications, from initiation through In 2020, we conducted a safety culture survey to
operation handover, and these standards are shared hear associates’ perspectives on safety at Alcon. • Green Planet Award – innovation that results
across all Alcon sites. We believe that responsibility The culture survey provided insights into our in a sustainable future and reduces Alcon’s
for HSE is a shared commitment and expect everyone safety programs and will be used to inform future impact on the environment
we work with to follow our protocols and guidelines. goal-setting processes as we strive for continuous • Vitality Award – inspirational performance
We encourage our associates and partners to report improvement. that enhances our safety culture and the health
unsafe conditions and behaviors in accordance with and wellness of our associates
our Speak Up for Safety policy.
• Alliance Award – outstanding collaboration
across sites, functions, and franchise to drive
HSE excellence

Zero
associate or
Zero
high-
0.42
Total Recordable
0.10
Lost Time
In 2020, we rolled out our Permit to Work safety
program to help ensure that HSE conditions are met
before non-routine work is performed. Collaboration
contractor consequence Case Rate Incident Rate between all participants enables us to assess risks
fatalies work related (TRCR) thoroughly prior to the start of the program.
injury

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Contractor Safety
We conduct a contractor health and safety assessment using a third-party prior

Alcon
to the start of any project. Additionally, we audit contractor activities while they
are on site, and evaluate contractors’ compliance with our HSE requirements. Any
deficiencies identified in programs and training during the pre-screening evaluation
are addressed before a contractor arrives at an Alcon location. Operational Well-being
performance gaps are immediately corrected to prevent any adverse impact on
associates, contractors, or visitors.

At Alcon, health and wellness promotion is critical


TOTAL RECORDABLE CASE RATE LOST TIME INCIDENT RATE
to creating an energized and productive workforce,
both on and off the job. The Alcon Global Wellness
Committee was formed in order to develop a global
0.78 0.53
0.42 framework for wellness at Alcon, and operates
in conjunction with site-based wellness committees.
In 2020, Alcon associates across the globe were
0.18
0.10 0.10 offered wellness initiatives to achieve the highest
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
level of health and wellness.

WELLNESS INITIATIVES AT ALCON


MANAGEMENT WALK-THROUGHS NEAR MISS AND GOOD CATCH RATE
• Health risk assessment • On-site medical clinics and
• COVID-19 prevention health counseling
48
measures and fitness for duty • Onsite gym and fitness
• Virtual fitness programs subsidies
36
28 • Healthy eating options at • On-site virtual mental health
24 and first aid responders
21 21 cafeterias or canteens
• Annual health checks • Employee assistance program
• On-site biometric and for off-site mental health
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 cancer screenings • Surveillance exam for
• Influenza vaccinations compliance regulations and
health promotion
Total Recordable Case Rate (TRCR): Indicator represents the frequency of recordable cases (injury and illness) for all
Alcon associates and third-party personnel. It is calculated as follows: number of all work-related recordable cases
divided by the number of hours worked by Alcon associates and third-party personnel and multiplied by 200,000.
Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR): Indicator represents the frequency of work-related lost time cases (injury and illness).
It is calculated as follows: the total number of work-related cases of injury or illness with lost time is divided by
number of hours worked by Alcon associates and third-party personnel and multiplied by 200,000
Near Miss and Good Catch Rate: Indicator measured per 200,000 hours worked (equivalent to 100 associates).

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CARING FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

We grow responsibly and sustainably


by improving our environmental
footprint continuously across the
entire product life cycle.

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We have established a robust set of In 2020, we established


programs to advance our efforts to the Global Environmental
continuously improve our environmental Sustainability Committee,
performance. These programs include whose primary purpose
goals and initiatives across our operations is to oversee and
aimed at enhancing our understanding manage cross-functional
of and minimizing the environmental efforts to accomplish
impacts of our products. For more our environmental goals.
information, please see our HSE policy.

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Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Energy
Sustainable Operational
Efficiency Water
Products Waste
and GHG Stewardship
and Services Reduction
Reduction

Reduce Minimize energy Reduce material waste Use water resources


environmental impact use and and close responsibly and maximize
of our products GHG emissions resource loops water use efficiency

Implement post-use Increase our Increase landfill Improve water use


recycling programs renewable energy diversion and efficiency and
number of zero waste stewardship at sites with
Embed environmental Reduce fleet GHG to landfill sites high water use
sustainability into emissions or stress factors
product innovation ZERO MANUFACTURING
Embed environmental WASTE TO LANDFILL 210 MEGALITERS OF
Reduce environmental sustainability POLICY WATER SAVED
impact of packaging into capital investment
evaluation process
90% REDUCTION IN
MATERIAL WASTE FOR 40 ENERGY-SAVING
THE TRAYLESS CENTURION PROJECTS COMPLETED,
CUSTOM PAK SAVING ~5,510 METRIC TONS
OF CO 2 EQUIVALENT

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Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c

Sustainable Products & Services Environmental Sustainability Scorecard


We strive to maximize the safety and quality of our products and We introduced a new process for evaluating sustainability requirements
manufacturing processes while minimizing our products’ impact on the during the design phase of new products. The process guides our design
environment. In ophthalmology, regulation requires the use of disposable project teams in evaluating new products and materials in conjunction with
products to protect patient safety and minimize infection risk. Our R&D environmental sustainability metrics. This enables us to screen materials
teams consider environmental aspects when initiating new designs, for chemicals of concern, identify opportunities to reduce packaging waste,
including opportunities to safely reduce product packaging and post- and improve product safety and operational performance.
consumer waste, and assessing ways to increase the use of recycled
materials in our packaging products, all while delivering breakthrough In 2020, we developed an Environmental Sustainability Scorecard created by
technology. a cross-collaborative group of R&D, manufacturing, and commercial teams,
to integrate sustainability into new product development. The scorecard
As part of our ongoing commitment to product compliance and records water and energy usage intensity, greenhouse gas emissions
sustainability, we strive to reduce and eliminate the impact of chemicals intensity, and operational waste, as well as product and packaging waste
of concern in our products. for new products. We are currently piloting our new scorecard with several
product development teams and will embed the scorecard into the
We comply with global chemical regulations including:
enterprise stage-gate process starting in 2021.
• EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and
Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
• EU Medical Device Regulation (EUMDR)
• California Proposition 65 (Prop 65)
• EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

We actively monitor changes to applicable product regulations, as well as


their impact on our industry and products, using a centralized enterprise
resource planning system designed to monitor, record, and communicate
changes and updates in real time.
We engage with industry groups to keep abreast of best practices
and industry standards, such as:
• Medical Technology Europe (MedTech EU)
• European Association of the Contact Lens and Lens
Care Product Manufacturers (EuromContact)

We have implemented processes to evaluate the use of chemicals


and parts throughout our product life cycle, and we work closely with
our suppliers to implement upstream compliance.

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Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c

Trayless Custom Paks Reprocessing Used or Obsolete Equipment


The Trayless Centurion Fluid Management System (FMS) pack is a non-sterile Our program to reprocess used surgical equipment has positive implications
version of Centurion FMS Packs with an updated packaging configuration for the environment. Our technical service engineers replace parts and update
for use in Custom Paks. Previously, Centurion FMS packs were packaged the existing technology to restore surgical equipment to Alcon’s operational
in rigid plastic trays and shipping cartons, and shipped to a Gamma-sterilizer standards. The reprocessed equipment provides expanded access in low- and
before returning to our Houston facility for final packaging and sterilization. middle-income countries to surgical equipment that meets Alcon’s operational
The new packaging resulted in: standards at a lower cost. We use environmentally safe methods to dispose of
any parts that cannot be reprocessed.

In 2020, COVID-19 decreased the volume of reprocessed equipment and


refurbished spare parts due to mandatory regional lockdowns and lower
Reduced carbon ~90% reduction Estimated $1.3M customer activity. Alcon centers in 43 affiliate countries and 4 repair centers
footprint by in material waste annual cost refurbished close to 90 metric tons of reused, recycled, and donated equipment
eliminating dual- by eliminating savings potential and spare parts in 2020. We have four centers to refurbish spare parts and we
opened a fifth center in 2021.
sterilization and rigid packaging based on
transportation materials and current eligible
costs shipping cartons volumes
~90 metric tons of reused, recycled,
and donated equipment and spare parts
CENTURION FMS PACK
was refurbished in 2020

DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT REUSED, RECYCLED OR DONATED


(METRIC TONS)
131.3

98.4
89.2

Original trayed New trayless


Centurion FMS pack Centurion FMS pack
38.6
20.5

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

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c c c c

Environmental Management System Energy Usage


We maintain an environmental management system at
all our manufacturing locations. We strive to minimize
Alcon is committed to continually improving our
energy efficiency.
40 energy-saving and
our environmental impacts, manage legal compliance,
and continuously improve our performance. Our In 2020, we completed 40 energy-saving and
alternative energy
management system tool helps us track completion
of our compliance obligations, investigate root causes
alternative energy projects, including solar array
installation, LED lighting, HVAC and air compressor
projects completed
of non-compliance, and implement corrective and replacement, installation of energy-efficient
preventive actions. As of year-end 2020, 16 of our 17 chillers, and optimization of production-related
manufacturing sites were ISO 14001 certified. We plan processes. These projects resulted in energy savings
to achieve ISO 14001 certification at all manufacturing
locations in 2021.
of approximately 29,000 GJ, saving approximately
5,510 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent 29,000 GJ of energy
(tCO2e). As an example, we implemented eight LED
projects across manufacturing, distribution, savings, approximately
16 of our 17 manufacturing
and R&D, which resulted in an estimated annual
saving of 6,500 GJ. 5,510 metric tons of
sites are ISO 14001 certified Our energy intensity in 2020 increased less than carbon dioxide equivalent
10% despite lower production volume as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic. (tCO2e)
Expect all manufacturing
sites to be ISO 14001
certified in 2021
ENERGY USAGE INTENSITY (GJ/MILLION UNITS PRODUCED)
Reducing Our Environmental Footprint
Alcon is committed to conserving natural resources,
implementing energy efficiency programs, and 2016 947
reducing our overall carbon footprint. Each year, we
set targets for waste, water, and energy reduction 2017 934
projects, and we monitor results of our ongoing
environmental initiatives. We will continue to analyze 2018 733
our environmental footprint holistically as we define
our annual short- and long-term goals. 2019 739

2020 791

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c c c c

Renewable Energy GHG Emissions


Pursuing renewable sources of energy, such as In 2020, our direct (Scope 1 and Scope 2)
solar power, is a key component of our sustainability greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 327,746
strategy. In 2020, both our Singapore Alcon metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
Manufacturing and Logistics (AML) and Pressath, (tCO2e), measured on an absolute basis using
Germany sites installed solar panels on their roofs. a market-based approach.
A third manufacturing site in Johor, Malaysia is on
track to complete the installation of solar panels Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions decreased by
in the next twelve months. In addition, three of our 5% owing to less energy consumption and
manufacturing sites (Grosswallstadt, Germany, Cork, reduced fleet vehicles mileage consequent to
Ireland, and Schaffhausen, Switzerland) have 100% the COVID-19 pandemic.
renewable purchased energy.

TOTAL SCOPE 1 AND SCOPE 2 GHG


new solar EMISSIONS (tCO 2e)

installations
RENEWABLE ENERGY PANELS INSTALLED AT
OUR SINGAPORE AML FACILITY, WHICH GENERATED 2016 380,680
5,754 GJ OF ENERGY IN 2020.
2017 346,290

2018 332,360

2019 346,426

In the next 12 2020 327,746

months, we
will install solar ~5% emissions decrease
arrays at Johor, in 2020 versus 2019
Malaysia,
one of our largest
manufacturing
sites.
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Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c

Waste Minimization 2020 HIGHLIGHTS Highlight Story: Manufacturing Waste


We reduce waste by reusing resources where Recycling at Singapore AML

Zero
possible, recycling of generated waste, generating The Polypropylene (PP) Mold Waste Collection System
less hazardous waste, and diverting non- conveys PP mold waste from our new contact lens
hazardous waste from landfills. In 2020, we production lines, crushes the mold waste into smaller
rolled out Zero Manufacturing Waste to Landfill, particles, and transfers the material into a storage
a new policy that aims to gradually increase Manufacturing Waste to Landfill silo. We transfer the material from the silo into
the number of sites with zero non-hazardous
waste to landfill. Currently, almost 60% of policy rolled out bulk bags, where they are collected for recycling.
We estimate approximately 630 metric tons of waste
our manufacturing sites are 100% landfill-free have been diverted from incineration to recycling as
for non-hazardous waste disposal. a result of the installation of this system.

31
In 2020, we completed reduction or elimination
projects resulting in approximately 500 metric
tons of waste elimination. Additionally, 706 metric
tons of waste were diverted from incineration to
recycling. We recycled 77% of our operational waste reduction
waste in 2020, up from 72% last year.
or elimination projects
We reduced overall waste by approximately
2.5% in 2020. The increase in hazardous waste as
a result of expired chemicals and raw materials

500
due to low production demand related to
COVID-19, was more than offset by reductions
in non-hazardous waste, driven by ongoing site
initiatives and low office occupancy.
metric tons of waste
elimination
THE POLYPROPYLENE MOLD WASTE
COLLECTION SYSTEM SILO IN SINGAPORE

77%
of our operational waste recycled
in 2020, up from 72% last year

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c c c c

Water Management Our overall water intensity increased due to a 9%


decrease in production and a 9% increase in absolute
Looking Forward
Our manufacturing sites account for most of
water consumption related to our expansion activities
Alcon’s water consumption. We continue to focus
at select facilities. We are developing site water
on maximizing our water efficiency and increasing
conservation and efficiency assessments to guide To manage the risks associated with climate
our water recycling and reuse.
our site leaders in identifying risks and opportunities change, we are engaging with third-party
within our current water management practices. experts to identify next steps for Alcon’s
In 2020, we implemented 17 water-saving projects,
While water usage is expected to continue to increase Scope 1 and 2 GHG emission reductions.
including the optimization of the Clean-in-Place
as we expand our contact lens manufacturing We are undertaking a study to estimate
process, use of reverse osmosis reject water
platform, we will seek opportunities to expand our Scope 3 GHG emissions in 2021, which
and HVAC condense, rainwater collection, and
our water conservation and efficiency initiatives will guide our assessment and strategy for
restroom fixture upgrades, which collectively saved
going forward.
approximately 210 megaliters of water. For example, addressing long-term environmental risks.
at our Grosswallstadt site, the optimization of water
use in inspection and disinfection modules resulted As we continue to execute our global
in approximately 75 megaliters of water savings. 210 megaliters of water environmental sustainability strategy, our
key initiatives for 2021 will focus on:
saved in 2020 from
water-saving projects
Implementing an Environmental
Sustainability Scorecard
for new product development

Piloting post-use recycling


programs for our contact lens
products in two key markets

TOTAL WATER INPUT INTENSITY (MEGALITERS/MILLION UNITS PRODUCED) Conducting a water conservation
and efficiency assessment at
our sites with higher water usage
to inform our long-term strategy
2016 1.10 for water conservation

2017 0.93 Embedding an environmental


impact assessment into our
2018 0.92 manufacturing capital investment
approval process
2019 1.12
Increasing our renewable energy
2020 1.28 portfolio to offset the purchased
energy of our manufacturing sites

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WORKING WITH INTEGRIT Y

We seek to do business the


right way and this commitment
is without compromise.

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Business Ethics

“Our success depends We are committed to doing business the right way,
without exception. Our vigilance against corruption and
on maintaining the bribery, and our compliance with local law and ethical
practices are essential for our sustainable growth.
trust of our stakeholders. We designed our global ethics and compliance program
No amount of progress to promote a culture of ethical behavior in accordance
with the Compliance Program Guidance published by
can come at the the Office of the Inspector General, US Department of
Health and Human Services. Alcon’s framework of ethics
expense of our company governance covers standards of behavior, associate
training, auditing, reporting, and disciplinary actions.
values or integrity.” Our Code of Business Conduct defines our standards
of conduct and the shared responsibility of all our
—David J. Endicott, Chief Executive Officer associates (including part-time and contract workers)
and our Board of Directors to act ethically and
responsibly. Alcon does not tolerate illegal or unethical
behavior in any form and emphasizes importance of
speaking up, respecting human rights and fair labor
standards, avoiding conflicts of interest, managing
KEY GOVERNANCE confidential information properly, maintaining accurate
POLICIES books and records, along with the importance of
adhering to policies and procedures. The Code is
available in 23 languages, as is the mandatory training
CLICKABLE LINKS FOR CONTENT
and certification covering the Code, which is delivered
to all associates annually.
Code of Business Conduct
Third Party Code of Conduct We believe that all people should be treated with
dignity and respect and recognize the importance of
Modern Anti-Slavery Policy protecting human rights. We respect workers’
California Compliance Declaration rights including but not limited to, equal opportunity
and freedom from discrimination. We comply with the
Conflict Minerals Report employment and human rights laws, protection
Health, Safety and Environment Policy from child labor, modern slavery or human trafficking
as covered in the UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015
Human Rights Policy and the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act
of 2010, as outlined in our Declarations on Supply
Chain, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

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The Board of Directors, principally through the Ethical Marketing & Interactions with
Governance and Nomination Committee, oversees Healthcare Professionals
Alcon’s global strategy and reputation regarding
corporate governance, environmental stewardship, We are committed to promoting our products and
sustainability, and corporate social responsibility services responsibly and in a manner that is accurate,
Alcon Board of Directors and stays abreast of developing trends in ESG truthful, and consistent with their approved use.
matters to help guide Alcon. The Lens, our global policy on professional practices,
defines Alcon’s requirements for ethical marketing
In addition, our Board of Directors, through the and interactions with healthcare professionals
Audit and Risk Committee, supervises our global and is aligned with the code of ethical conduct
ethics and compliance program and receives guidelines from relevant medical technology industry
regular updates on compliance-related matters. associations including AdvaMed, AbiMed, APACMed,
The program, led by the Global Head, Integrity MedTech Europe, and Medcomed.
and Compliance under the functional leadership
Audit and Risk Committee of Alcon’s SVP, General Counsel and Corporate THE LENS EMPHASIZES FIVE ETHICAL
Secretary, is intended to prevent, detect, and PRINCIPLES THAT APPLY TO ALL ALCON INTERACTIONS
Global ethics and compliance program WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:
mitigate compliance risk across the organization.
Furthermore, the corporate Audit and Compliance
Committee, chaired by our Chief Executive Officer, W E M U S T:
meets quarterly to provide strategic direction
and oversight relating to the implementation of > put patients and consumers first
the compliance program and management of > act with clear and proper intent
Governance and Nomination Committee compliance risks. We have also established similar
Strategy and reputation regarding compliance committees at the regional and country > research for the right reasons
corporate governance levels. > engage appropriately
Environmental stewardship and sustainability
> fund and donate responsibly
Corporate social responsibility
Trends in ESG matters
We embed this core policy into each of our business
operations around the world and incorporate local
market regulations and requirements. The Lens
Corporate Audit and Compliance Committee outlines clear operating guidelines for managing
Strategic direction and oversight relating engagements with healthcare professionals. This helps
to compliance program to ensure that we only engage for legitimate services
and any consulting payments reflect a fair market
Management of compliance risks
value for the services performed. Promotional
Similar committees at regional materials are reviewed and approved by appropriate
and country levels
Medical, Legal, and Regulatory personnel.

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Bribery and Corruption Training & Awareness


Building a strong company culture that promotes We convey our ethical expectations to all our
trust is a shared responsibility we take seriously. associates (including part-time and contract
Our Code of Business Conduct and our Anti-Bribery workers) via a multi-channel training and

99.5%
and Corruption Policy prohibit bribery and corruption awareness program. This includes the provision
in any form. Alcon is committed to adhering to all of the Code of Business Conduct and core global
anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws including the policies (including The Lens and Anti-Bribery and
US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act Corruption policies) and related training programs
and other local laws globally. We also require that in 23 languages so that associates receive of our full time
every third-party company we do business with acts guidance in their first language. In addition, we associates, completed
in accordance with these laws. train our associates on our Code and require all
Code of Conduct
Alcon associates, including our Board, to certify
Our third-party compliance process requires that compliance annually.
training
risk-based due diligence be conducted before a
third-party is engaged by Alcon. It includes processes We further provide additional training through
for risk-based screening of third parties and our Integrity & Compliance staff at country and
requirements to mitigate identified risks, as well as regional levels, as well as regular communications
requirements for training, monitoring and auditing designed to enhance engagement with our
of relevant third parties. policies. These communications include leader
messaging, newsletters, videos, and case studies.
Fair Competition Practices
In 2020, 97% of our associate (including
We believe in fair competition and seek to make
contractors), completed our Code of Conduct
our products accessible to doctors, patients, and
training, despite the logistical challenges and
customers. Anti-competitive behavior is prohibited
associates working remotely. Full time associates
by our Code of Business Conduct. Our Global Fair
achieved a 99.5% completion rate this year.
Competition Policy supplements the fair competition
provisions in our Code of Business Conduct, details
our expectations for fair business dealings, and
protects the proper functioning of markets, consistent
with the applicable competition laws. We develop and
implement commercial strategies independently and
prohibit practices that may abuse our market position.
We expect our associates to respect the principles
of fair competition and observe the higher internal or
regulatory standard governing fair competition.

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Monitoring Ethics Compliance Speak Up Culture


We annually verify compliance with our policies and Our Code of Business Conduct emphasizes that
procedures through our auditing and monitoring we build trust by speaking up, and we reinforce
program. Our risk assessment process at both the importance of this through training and
the enterprise and country levels guides these communications programs, “Speak Up” posters across
efforts and includes a review of internal and external our facilities, and talking points in our leadership
inputs such as helpline reporting, investigation reports, communications. We foster an environment that
audit findings and regulatory enforcement actions. encourages our associates (including part-time and
Alcon’s Internal Audit function performs an annual contract workers) to ask questions and raise concerns
audit to assess compliance with our Code as well about perceived unethical or inappropriate behavior
as ethics and compliance policies and procedures. through any of the following channels:
Any action items identified are tracked and
corrections made in a timely manner. We take • Their manager
seriously and investigate any alleged violations of • Human Resources
our Code of Business Conduct or policies. • Legal or Integrity & Compliance
• The Alcon Ethics Helpline

The Alcon’s Ethics Helpline is a web-based reporting


system that includes live 24/7 telephone support and
is available in 21 languages. All reported concerns
are reviewed and investigated in a timely manner and
managed by the Integrity & Compliance department.
For any instances of confirmed misconduct, we carry
out appropriate corrective or disciplinary actions up
to and including termination of employment.

Alcon has a formal Non-Retaliation and Confidentiality


Policy and does not tolerate retaliation in any
form against anyone who speaks up in good faith,
participates in an investigation, or files a complaint.
Anonymous reporting is available via the Alcon Ethics
Helpline, except where not permitted by local law.

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Responsible Procurement Third Party Code of Conduct Critical Materials


and Supply Chain We promote the societal and environmental values of Most critical materials and production processes
Our stakeholders expect Alcon to apply our values the United Nations Global Compact to our suppliers used in the manufacture of Alcon’s products are,
throughout our supply chain. Our commitment and use our influence, where possible, to encourage where possible, dual sourced. Alcon maintains
starts with procurement and continues through their adoption. The Alcon Third Party Code of Conduct an ongoing risk mitigation project team to manage
the traceability of our products throughout the combines the United Nations Global Compact, the the risks in our supply chain of critical materials.
distribution chain. United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and We conduct business with a wide range of
Human Rights, and other international standards or suppliers, and our manufacturing operations
Our Procurement team is tasked with responsible accepted good practices. Our Third Party Code of are not overly dependent on a single supplier,
procurement, supplier diversity, and reporting of Conduct covers numerous ESG topics including labor except where intellectual property and/or
conflict and critical minerals throughout Alcon’s rights, health and safety, environment, animal welfare, other exclusivity agreements exist. Our annual
supply chain. In addition, Alcon’s Integrity and anti-bribery and fair competition, data privacy and spend with the largest direct material supplier
Compliance and Quality functions evaluate new and information protection, conflict minerals, management to Alcon accounts for less than 4% of our total
existing suppliers for potential risks and work to systems, and trade sanctions and export controls. annual direct material expenditure.
reduce or eliminate identified risks with appropriate
mitigation plans. The Third Party Code of Conduct aligns with Conflict Minerals
Alcon’s Code of Business Conduct and is integrated
We seek to understand the origin of the materials
Alcon continuously monitors the global state of the within our Global Master Service Agreement and
used in our products, and we have adopted a formal
supply chain with the help of market intelligence electronic purchase orders. We require our third
Conflict Minerals policy, which we communicate to
providers and the Institute of Supply Management. parties to comply with the standards defined in
and enforce with our suppliers. This policy describes
As a company, we maintain a robust business the Code. Furthermore, we expect third parties to
our commitment to compliance with conflict minerals
continuity plan across our global supply chain network adopt, with their own suppliers, standards that
requirements, supplier due diligence, and ongoing
to prepare for unforeseen events and meet the needs broadly cover the same principles contained in our
supply chain evaluation. We evaluate our products
of doctors, patients, and consumers. Third Party Code of Conduct.
annually, in order to identify and assess the presence
and sources of conflict minerals in the supply chain.
We expect our suppliers to meet delivery, cost,
Track and Trace Program Our Conflict Minerals Core Team uses standardized
technical, and regulatory requirements and we
documentation to capture data, key decisions, and
evaluate new and existing suppliers based on these To maintain traceability of our products within the
processes and procedures related to the use and
criteria. Business reviews are conducted quarterly, distribution chain, Alcon applies track and trace
sources of conflict minerals in our products. For more
semi-annually, or annually with critical suppliers procedures that comply with global regulatory
information, please see our Conflict Minerals Report.
undergoing a business review at least once a year. requirements. These track and trace procedures
monitor end-to-end traceability and identification
As we move forward, we are improving our due
Based on an assessment of the potential risk a through all stages of manufacturing and distribution.
diligence process by increasing supplier responses
supplier poses to Alcon’s manufacturing operations, To maintain the safety and security of the supply
to our Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry (RCOI)
we segment the suppliers into tiers. At a minimum, chain, Alcon uses Unique Device Identifiers (UDI)
in terms of accuracy, timeliness, and completeness.
all Tier 1 (Critical) Good Manufacturing Practices on required medical device packaging and finished
As a result of our increased diligence, our RCOI now
(GxP) suppliers are subject to the Alcon’s Supply product level serialization on all prescription
tracks 82% of our supplier spend in 2020.
Quality audit program and required to maintain drugs. Both the UDI and drug product serialization
GxP certification – inclusive of independent third incorporate human and machine-readable
party audits. identification that provides enhanced product
tracing at the customer level.

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Supplier Diversity Program As a member of the Dallas Fort Worth Minority


Supplier Development Council and the Women’s
Alcon continually seeks to identify and collaborate
Business Council Southwest, Alcon participates
with best-in-class diverse suppliers. To this end, we
in various outreach activities to support our supplier
are committed to building a strong supplier diversity
diversity goals and objectives.
program in the US by:
• Expanding the inclusion of large and small We track our spending on diverse suppliers to
diverse suppliers in the procurement process measure our impact on diverse and small business
• Seeking diverse and/or small suppliers enterprises. In 2020, Alcon increased diverse
through outreach efforts spend by 2% over 2019 to 14.2% of our US supplier
spend with qualified diverse suppliers.
• Communicating the value of supplier
diversity to stakeholders Diverse Supplier Category 2019 2020
• Leveraging supplier diversity results to meet All Diverse and Small Suppliers $226M $273M
internal and external goals Minority-owned Business $33M $41M
• Measuring key performance indicators for Enterprise
supplier diversity quarterly and annually Women-Owned Business $50M $69M
Enterprise
Veteran-Owned Business $7M $9M
Enterprise
Small Business Enterprise $199M $247M
LGBT-Owned Enterprise $0.31M $0.34M

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Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Identified cybersecurity risks are addressed Data Privacy
strategically as part of the cybersecurity maturity
We are committed to protecting the privacy The Alcon Global Privacy Office (GPO), headed by
program. The Board’s Audit and Risk Committee
and security of our information assets, Alcon’s Global Head of Privacy, is responsible for
oversees cybersecurity risk. The management team
especially the data that our customers entrust managing our privacy compliance. The Global Head of
provides an update on cybersecurity risk and related
to us. Alcon has implemented a defense-in- Privacy reports directly to our SVP, General Counsel
strategic maturity efforts to the Board of Directors.
depth strategy and information security and Corporate Secretary, supported by regional
framework, comprising multiple layers of people, privacy officers across North America, Europe, and
Alcon has a single Global Security Incident
processes and technologies. This approach is Asia and local privacy teams worldwide. The GPO
Management and Response process based on the
aligned with internationally recognized industry works in close cooperation with our IT Security
NIST Security Incident Framework on which the
standards for security, such as those from the and Legal and Compliance functions. The GPO is
Security Operations Center manages all cyber-related
National Institute of Standards and Technology represented on the Alcon Audit and Compliance
events. This process is integrated with Alcon Crisis
(NIST) and ISO 27001 standard and is deployed in Committee, and this office participates in our ongoing
Management and manages our responses across
a centralized global fashion to ensure a consistent enterprise risk management process. Our Global
enterprise business units. We test this process at
approach to security across the organization. Privacy Program aims to protect privacy with an
least twice a year through cross-functional security
effective framework of policies, procedures, and
Key areas of focus: tabletop exercises.
training that addresses the management of personal
• Systems lifecycle data. Alcon’s privacy training program raises associate
We are focused on managing the risks of third-
• Operational security awareness of the importance of observing data
party events. We deploy vendor cybersecurity due
protection principles thus ensuring each associate
• Security by design diligence and privacy assessment programs to
takes appropriate responsibility for the personal data
• Information asset management reduce our risks via our partners and suppliers.
they handle in their work environment.
Additionally, we regularly execute targeted third-
• Information risk management
party assessments of our security controls. We train
Our Global Policy on the Protection of Personal Data
• Third party risk and management our associates on the importance of protecting
establishes global requirements for the fair and lawful
the confidentiality and integrity of informational
Alcon’s Enterprise Risk Management team monitors collection, processing, handling, and protection of
assets. As risks to the environment are identified,
and implements procedures to manage our personal data by and on behalf of Alcon. Protecting
regular communication channels are in place to
cybersecurity and data privacy risks. Our IT Security personal data is crucial to preserving our stakeholders’
make associates aware of risk and protective actions
team and Intellectual Property & Data Privacy team trust in Alcon, protecting our brand and reputation,
to ensure a safe operating environment and the
play a critical role supporting our cybersecurity and and supporting product and data strategies,
protection of Alcon’s information assets. We provide
data privacy efforts. Alcon has established a Security particularly in the digital space. We continually
monthly communications on IT security and dedicate
Operations Center that manages the Cybersecurity monitor compliance with privacy-related laws in
resources to raise associate awareness through
Incident Management and Response process. each of our markets around the globe, such as the
special events like Cybersecurity Month and IT
Together with the Alcon Crisis Management team, we Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Innovation Day.
instituted a consistent cyber management program of 1996 (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation
across our business areas. We maintain redundancies Key areas of focus: (GDPR) in Europe, Brazil’s Lei Gerai de Proteção
in critical systems and disaster recovery capabilities to • Phishing awareness and testing de Dados Pessoais (LGPD), California Consumer
maintain continuity in case of business disruption. Privacy Act (CCPA), and other national privacy and
• Cybersecurity best practices cybersecurity laws.
• Key enterprise cybersecurity risks  

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ESG Performance Data

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ESG Performance Data


2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

R&D PRODUCTIVITY

Number of first-to-market launches 8 10 14 14 8


Number of product approvals (major markets) 1 26 43 64 80 2 78

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Number of recalls issued


SASB HC-MS-250a.1
Number of FDA-initiated recalls — — — — —
Percentage of recalls which were voluntary, FDA requested or FDA mandated 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
voluntary voluntary voluntary voluntary voluntary

RECALL RATE 3

Vision Care — — — — —
Surgical 0.24% 0.63% 0.05% — 0.004%

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Products listed in the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products database — — 1 4 — —
SASB HC-MS-250a.2
Number of fatalities related to products as reported in the FDA Manufacturer and — — — — —
User Facility Device Experience
SASB HC-MS-250a.3
Number of FDA enforcement actions taken in response to violations of Current Good — — — — —
Manufacturing Practices (CGMP)
SASB HC-MS-250a.4

US / EU / Canada / Japan / Brazil / Korea / Australia / China / Russia / India


1

2
Restated
3
Recall rate is defined as the number of units subject to recall per total sold globally, based on recall actions where there is a reasonable chance that a product will cause serious health problems,
or where a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems or pose a slight chance of causing serious health problems.
4
CyPass Micro-Stent System.

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ESG Performance Data (continued)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

RELATIVE PRICE PERFORMANCE

Ratio of weighted average rate of net price increases in the US (for all products) to the annual N/A N/A N/A 0.73 1.29
increase in the US CPI
SASB HC-MS-240a.1

PHILANTHROPY 5

Number of medical missions supported 646 554 593 529 151


Number of surgeries 47,000 34,000 36,000 38,000 9,845
Number of patients treated 484,000 392,000 414,000 308,000 85,462

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE 6

Water withdrawal (megaliters)


GRI 303-3
Total water withdrawal from all areas (megaliters) 3,685 3,461 3,651 4,458 4,640
Waste by type and disposal method (metric tons)
GRI 306-2
Total hazardous (metric tons) 19,206 19,784 20,462 20,529 24,115
Total non-hazardous (metric tons) 17,078 19,878 21,797 26,067 21,192
Energy intensity (gigajoules/million units produced)
GRI 302-3
Energy intensity ratio for the organization (gigajoules/million units produced) 947 934 733 739 791
Emissions intensity (tons of GHG/terajoules)
GRI 305-4
GHG emissions intensity ratio for the organization on-site generated energy (t/TJ) 57 38 52 56 55
GHG emissions intensity ratio for the organization purchased energy (t/TJ) 151 143 142 140 139
Weight of Reprocessed Parts and Systems Redeployed (metric tons) 20.5 38.6 98.4 131.3 89.2
HC-MS-410a.2

For safety reasons, Alcon does not support medical missions to countries with US State Department Level 4 travel advisories. In 2018, Alcon supported 79 missions to Haiti.
5

In 2019, Haiti was at a Level 4 for several months, which affected mission activity. 2020 medical mission number includes only medical missions supported by Alcon Cares.
6
Values for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were restated.

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ESG Performance Data (continued)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

TALENT ATTRACTION & RETENTION


Total turnover rate 11.4% 9.3% 8.7% 9.0% 7 7.7%
Voluntary turnover rate 7.1% 6.0% 5.8% 6.0% 4.6%

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION


Global female representation 48% 47% 49%
Global female representation (managers/supervisors) 33% 34% 34%
US ethnically diverse  8
42% 44% 47%
US ethnically diverse (managers/supervisors)  8
25% 26% 31%

SAFETY PERFORMANCE
Work-related injuries
GRI 403-9
Employee fatalities — 1 — — —
Contractor fatalities — — — — —
High-consequence work-related injuries (excluding fatalities) – associates 1 — 1 — —
Recordable work-related injuries (including fatalities) – associates 155 143 148 143 110
Work-related injury rate
GRI 403-9
Employee fatalities — 0.01 — — —
Contractor fatalities — — — — —
High-consequence work-related injuries (excluding fatalities) – associates 0.003 — 0.005 — —
Recordable work-related injuries (including fatalities) – associates 0.51 0.74 0.78 0.53 0.42
Employee Total Recordable Case Rate (TRCR)  9
0.51 0.74 0.78 0.53 0.42
Employee Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR)  10
0.12 0.15 0.18 0.10 0.10

7
Total turnover rate in 2019 was calculated manually, due to the transition to a new human resources software application for our associates in the UK and Ireland in October 2019.
8
Includes American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and two or more races.
9
Total Recordable Case Rate (TRCR): Indicator represents the frequency of recordable cases (injury and illness) for all Alcon associates and third-party personnel. It is calculated as follows: number of all work-related
recordable cases divided by the number of hours worked by Alcon associates and third party personnel and multiplied by 200,000.
10
Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR): Indicator represents the frequency of work-related lost time cases (injury and illness). It is calculated as follows: the total number of work-related cases of injury or illness with lost time is divided
by number of hours worked by Alcon associates and third party personnel and multiplied by 200,000.

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ESG Performance Data (continued)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

BUSINESS ETHICS

Code of Business Conduct Training completion rate 99% 99% 98% 98% 97%
Number of grievances filed per year 842 607 473 513 462
Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings associated with — — — — $8.93
bribery or corruption (in millions)
SASB HC-MS-510a.1
Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings associated with Not Not — — —
false marketing claims Tracked Tracked
SASB HC-MS-270a.1

RESPONSIBLE PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Percentage of (1) entity’s facilities participating in third-party audit programs for 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
manufacturing and product quality
SASB HC-MS-430a.1 11
Percentage of (2) Tier 1 suppliers’ facilities participating in third-party audit programs Not Not Not 100% 100%
for manufacturing and product quality Tracked Tracked Tracked
SASB HC-MS-430.2 12

All Alcon production facilities are audited by 3rd party and regulatory notified bodies for ISO and other GxP compliance certification. Audit frequency and validity varies by audit type.
11

12
Alcon’s internal quality risk assessment determines the criticality of supplier (Tier 1) and thus triggers auditing requirement. Frequency and duration may vary. Alcon reserves the right to audit for cause (either directly or via
third party) when infractions to agreed quality standards are found.

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Content Indices
SASB Index 60
GRI Index 62
TCFD Index 68
Disclaimer 69

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SASB Index
SASB Topic Code Accounting Metric Report Location Omissions

Activity Metric HC-MS-000.A Number of units sold by product category.  Given the breadth and diversity of Alcon’s
product portfolio, Alcon does not disclose
this data.
Affordability & HC-MS-240a.1 Ratio of weighted average rate of net price increases Sustainability Performance Data –
Pricing (for all products) to the annual increase in the U.S. Relative Price Performance
Consumer Price Index.
Affordability & HC-MS-240a.2 Description of how price information for each Access, Affordability & Pricing – Disclosure does not include whether
Pricing product is disclosed to customers or to their agents. Disclosure of Pricing Information the range, median, or typical price are
provided to customers, or the frequency of
use of confidentiality clauses in purchasing
agreements with heath care providers
that restrict them from sharing with third
parties the price they paid.
Product Safety HC-MS-250a.1 Percentage of recalls. Sustainability Performance Data –
Quality Management System
Product Safety HC-MS-250a.2 List of products listed in the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Sustainability Performance Data –
Alerts for Human Medical Products database. Quality Management System
Product Safety HC-MS-250a.3 Number of fatalities related to products as reported Sustainability Performance Data –
in the FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Quality Management System
Experience.
Product Safety HC-MS-250a.4 Number of FDA enforcement actions taken Sustainability Performance Data –
in response to violations of current Good Quality Management System
Manufacturing Practices, by type.
Ethical HC-MS-270a.1 Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal Sustainability Performance Data –
Marketing proceedings associated with false marketing claims.   Business Ethics
Ethical HC-MS-270a.2 Description of code of ethics governing promotion of Business Ethics – Preventing
Marketing off-label use of products. Off‑Label Use
Product Design HC-MS-410a.1 Discussion of process to assess and manage Sustainable Products & Services –
& Lifecycle environmental and human health considerations Compliance with Chemical
associated with chemicals in products, and meet Regulations
demand for sustainable products.

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SASB Index (continued)

SASB Topic Code Accounting Metric Report Location Omissions

Product Design HC-MS-410a.2 Total amount of products accepted for takeback Sustainable Products & Services –
& Lifecycle and reused, recycled, or donated, broken down by: Reprocessing Used or Obsolete
(1) devices and equipment and (2) supplies. Equipment
Supply Chain HC-MS-430a.1 Percentage of (1) entity’s facilities and (2) Tier I Sustainability Performance Data –
Management suppliers’ facilities participating in third-party audit Responsible Procurement
programs for manufacturing and product quality. 
Supply Chain HC-MS-430a.2 Description of efforts to maintain traceability within Responsible Procurement & Supply
Management the distribution chain. Chain – Track & Trace Program
Supply Chain HC-MS-430a.3 Description of the management of risks associated Responsible Procurement & Supply Disclosure does not identify the critical
Management with the use of critical materials.  Chain – Critical Materials materials that present a significant risk
to Alcon’s operations, the type of risk(s)
they represent.
Business Ethics HC-MS-510a.1 Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal Sustainability Performance Data –
proceedings associated with bribery or corruption. Business Ethics
Business Ethics HC-MS-510a.2 Description of code of ethics governing interactions Business Ethics – Code of Ethics &
with health care professionals. Healthcare Professionals

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GRI General Disclosures


GRI Disclosure Report Section or Direct Response Page

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016
102-1: Name of the Organization Alcon Inc.
102-2: Activities, brands, products, and services About Alcon 5
102-3: Location of headquarters Geneva, Switzerland
102-4: Location of operations About Alcon 5
102-5: Ownership and legal form Alcon is a publicly traded company traded on the New York Stock Exchange
and SIX Swiss Exchange.
102-6: Markets served About Alcon 5
102-7: Scale of the organization About Alcon; 5
See our 2020 Annual Report for additional information on net revenues and
quantity of products provided in 2020.
102-8: Information on employees and other workers As of 2020, approximately 38% of our full time associates are based in the
US, 10% in Germany and 8% in Malaysia.
102-10: Significant changes to the organization and its supply chain As of 2020, there were no significant changes to the organization.

STRATEGY
GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016
102-14: Statement from senior decision-maker Message From Our CEO 4

ETHICS AND INTEGRITY


GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016
102-16: Values, principles, standards and norms of behavior Purpose and Impact; 9, 47
Business Ethics
102-17: Mechanisms for advice and concerns about ethics Business Ethics – Speak Up Culture 47

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GRI General Disclosures (continued)

GRI Disclosure Report Section or Direct Response Page

GOVERNANCE
GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016
102-18: Governance structure Our Approach to Sustainability;
The Governance and Nomination Committee oversees the Company’s global
strategy for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, sustainability
and corporate social responsibility. See the Governance section of our
website for additional information on Alcon’s governance structure.
102-20: Executive-level responsibility for economic, environmental, and social topics Our Approach to Sustainability 8
102-23: Chair of the highest governance body Alcon’s Chief Executive Officer does not serve as the Chairman.
102-24: Nominating and selecting the highest governance body See the Governance and Nomination Committee Charter.
102-32: Highest governance body’s role in sustainability reporting Our Approach to Sustainability; 8
Alcon’s Governance and Nomination Committee reviewed and approved this
Corporate Responsibility Report.

REPORTING PRACTICES
GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016
102-45: Entities included in consolidated financial statements See our 2020 Annual Report for a list of all entities included in our
consolidated financial statements.
102-46: Defining report content and topic Boundaries Our Approach to Sustainability – Prioritizing What’s Material 8
102-47: List of material topics Our Approach to Sustainability – Prioritizing What’s Material 8
102-48: Restatements of information The company has restated the number of product approvals (2019); energy
intensity (2017, 2018), Employee Total Recordable Case Rate (2019).
102-49: Changes in Reporting We have not made any significant changes in reporting for 2020.
102-50: Reporting period This 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report covers Alcon’s operations from
January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, unless otherwise indicated.
102-51: Date of most recent report This is Alcon’s most recent Corporate Responsibility Report.
102-52: Reporting cycle We plan to publish a Corporate Responsibility Report annually.
102-53: Contact point for questions regarding the report For further questions, please email the Investor Relations team at
[email protected].
102-54: Claims of reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards We referenced the GRI Standards in the development of this Corporate
Responsibility Report.
102-55: GRI Content index Content Indices – GRI Index 62-67
102-56: External assurance Alcon is not conducting external assurance of our Corporate Responsibility
Report at this time.

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GRI Topic-Specific Disclosures


GRI Disclosure Report Section or Direct Response Page

ENERGY
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Reducing our Environmental Footprint – Energy Usage 42
103-2: The management approach and its components Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy 39
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Reducing our Environmental Footprint – Energy Usage 42
GRI 302: Energy 2016
302-3: Energy Intensity ESG Performance Data – Environmental Performance 56

WATER
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Reducing our Environmental Footprint – Water Management 45
103-2: The management approach and its components Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy 39
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Reducing our Environmental Footprint – Water Management 45
GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018
303-3: Water Withdrawal ESG Performance Data – Environmental Performance 56

EMISSIONS
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Reducing our Environmental Footprint – GHG Emissions 43
103-2: The management approach and its components Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy 39
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Reducing our Environmental Footprint – GHG Emissions 43
GRI 305: Emissions 2016
305-4: Emissions intensity ESG Performance Data – Environmental Performance 56

EFFLUENTS AND WASTE


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Reducing our Environmental Footprint – Waste Minimization 44
103-2: The management approach and its components Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy 39
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Reducing our Environmental Footprint – Waste Minimization 44

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GRI Topic-Specific Disclosures (continued)

GRI Disclosure Report Section or Direct Response Page

GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016


306-2: Waste by type and disposal method ESG Performance Data – Environmental Performance 56

TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Talent Attraction and Retention 28
103-2: The management approach and its components Talent Attraction and Retention 28
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Talent Attraction and Retention - Engagement 31
GRI 401: Employment 2016
401-1: New employee hires and employee turnover ESG Performance Data – Talent Attraction & Retention 57

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Health & Safety 35
103-2: The management approach and its components Health & Safety – HSE Management System 35
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Health & Safety – HSE Management System 35
GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018
403-9: Work-related injuries ESG Performance Data – Safety Performance 57

DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Diversity & Inclusion 32
103-2: The management approach and its components Diversity & Inclusion 32
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Diversity & Inclusion – Our Diversity Performance 34
GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity 2016
405-1: Diversity of governance bodies and employees ESG Performance Data – Diversity & Inclusion 57

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Company Topic-Specific Disclosures


GRI Disclosure Report Section or Direct Response Page

MEDICAL INNOVATION
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Medical Innovation 14
103-2: The management approach and its components Medical Innovation – Governance and Oversight 17
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Medical Innovation – New Product Highlights 16
Self-selected Metric
Number of first-to-market launches Medical Innovation; 14, 55
ESG Performance Data – R&D Productivity
Self-selected Metric
Number of product approvals (major markets) Medical Innovation; 14, 55
ESG Performance Data – R&D Productivity

PRODUCT QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Product Quality & Patient Safety 18
103-2: The management approach and its components Product Quality & Patient Safety 18
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Product Quality & Patient Safety 18
Self-selected Metric
HC-MS-250a.1: Number of recalls issued, total units recalled ESG Performance Data – Quality Management System 55
HC-MS-250a.2: Products listed in the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Alerts for ESG Performance Data – Quality Management System 55
Human Medical Products database
HC-MS-250a.3: Number of fatalities related to products as reported in the ESG Performance Data – Quality Management System 55
FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience
HC-MS-250a.4: Number of FDA enforcement actions taken in response to ESG Performance Data – Quality Management System 55
violations of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), by type

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Company Topic-Specific Disclosures (continued)

GRI Disclosure Report Section or Direct Response Page

ACCESS, AFFORDABILITY AND PRICING


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Access, Affordability & Pricing 20
103-2: The management approach and its components Access, Affordability & Pricing 20
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Access, Affordability & Pricing 20
Self-selected Metric
HC-MS-240a.1: Ratio of weighted average rate of net price increases ESG Performance Data – Relative Price Performance 56
(for all products) to the annual increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES


GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
103-1: Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy; 39, 40
Sustainable Products & Services
103-2: The management approach and its components Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy; 39, 40
Sustainable Products & Services
103-3: Evaluation of the management approach Global Environmental Sustainability Strategy; 39, 40
Sustainable Products & Services
Self-selected Metric
Weight of Reprocessed Parts Shipped (Metric Tons) Sustainable Products & Services – Reprocessing Used or 41
Obsolete Equipment

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TCFD Index
Our Board of Directors and executive leadership team oversee and manage our environmental risks.

GOVERNANCE STRATEGY RISK MANAGEMENT


Board oversight – Our Board of Directors We are aware of the business risks from Risk Related to Resource Use:  There is Our senior leadership team and Board
has ultimate oversight of environmental climate change and we continuously increasing scrutiny on the use of water of Directors are focused on managing
risks including those related to energy monitor environment-related risks in manufacturing and the amount of and mitigating various risks to our
use, carbon emissions and water and opportunities that may impact plastic waste. Pressure from regulators, business and financial performance,
resources. The Board’s Governance and our business over the short, medium consumers and other stakeholders to including environmental risks. Such risk
Nomination Committee is responsible and long-term. The nature of these find alternatives and / or green solutions management topics are reviewed and
for reviewing and providing guidance on risks depends on both the physical to reduce our use of natural resources discussed on a regular basis among
the company’s climate change-related aspects of climate change as well as are escalating. We continue to look for our leadership team across the entire
programs and policies as part of its wider market regulations, pressure to reduce ways to address these issues in our R&D organization. Consideration of such risks
sustainability oversight. Sustainability is a our carbon footprint and our ability process and by continuing to explore is implemented as part of operating and
subject discussed at least annually by the to understand and respond to rapidly developing best practices within the investment decision-making process in all
full Board. evolving developments. Our identified industry. aspects of the business.
risks include the following:
Management oversight – We ensure Opportunity to reduce costs
appropriate governance of sustainability, Regulatory Risks – We could be impacted and support reduction goals of
including environmental topics, by by regulatory risks such as potential partners:  Cost savings for Alcon and our METRICS & TARGETS
integrating sustainability into our future carbon disclosure and compliance customers could be achieved through We monitor and report our greenhouse
overall management model. Our requirements. Possible carbon tax, or actions such as efficient energy usage gas emissions:
Global Environmental Sustainability regulatory incentives to encourage the and reducing our use of raw materials
Committee is responsible for identifying use of renewable energy could affect in both device manufacturing as well as Scope 1 emissions:  78,788.40 metric
and managing Alcon’s environmental energy costs. Regulatory action can also packaging. Additionally, we recognize tons of CO2 equivalent
and social impacts and reports to the include pressure to reduce the carbon that energy consumption throughout our
ESG Steering Committee. This senior footprint of specific medical devices as supply chain has implications for climate Scope 2 emissions:  248,957.50 metric
management team regularly discusses well as a greater focus on environmental change and product costs. Encouraging tons of CO2 equivalent
risks and opportunities related to considerations in manufacturing and our suppliers to reduce energy
environmental issues, and how to apply responsible procurement. consumption and emissions, lessen We have established site-level
policies and strategies to address those their use of resources, and sharing best environmental goals at many of our
in each aspect of the business. The ESG Physical Risk – The physical aspects practices can provide further cost savings facilities, including energy and carbon
Steering Committee reports on a regular of climate change can have an impact for our customers as well as helping emission reduction goals. We have also
basis to our Governance and Nomination on our ability to continue operations. support their own carbon goals. set a company-wide goal to increase
Committee of the Board of Directors. We regularly assess how we might renewable energy by 2025. We are
be influenced by potential business currently working with third party experts
disruption that could occur under to assess our indirect carbon emissions
extreme weather and natural disasters. in 2021 as we prepare our long term de-
These risks and responses are reviewed carbonization strategy.
as part of the overall sustainability risk
evaluation.

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Disclaimer
ABOUT THIS REPORT of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. key business functions; our ability to protect our intellectual
Forward-looking statements can be identified by words property; the impact of unauthorized importation of our
This report covers our business and does not address such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “commitment,” “look forward,” products from countries with lower prices to countries with
the performance or operations of our suppliers, our “maintain,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “target,” “assume,” “believe,” higher prices; uncertainties regarding the success of our
contractors, our customers, or other third parties, unless “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” separation and Spin-off from Novartis and the subsequent
otherwise noted. All financial information is presented in US “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. transformation program, including the expected separation
dollars. The goals and projects described in this report are Examples of forward-looking statements include, among and transformation costs, as well as any potential savings,
aspirational; as such, no guarantees or promises are made others, statements we make regarding our sustainability and we may incur or realize; the effects of litigation, including
that these goals and projects will be met or successfully diversity plans, developments, targets, goals, and expectations. product liability lawsuits and government investigations; our
executed. Furthermore, data, statistics and metrics included
ability to comply with all laws to which we may be subject;
in this report have not been prepared in accordance with Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor effect of product recalls or voluntary market withdrawals;
international financial reporting standards (IFRS), continue assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based the implementation of our enterprise resource planning
to evolve and may be based on assumptions believed to be only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions system; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
reasonable at the time of preparation, but should not be regarding the future of our business, future plans and the accuracy of our accounting estimates and assumptions,
considered guarantees and may be subject to future revision. strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward- including pension plan obligations and the carrying value of
This report uses certain terms including those that the looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to intangible assets; the ability to obtain regulatory clearance
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict and approval of our products as well as compliance with any
Standards Board (SASB), Task Force on Climate-related such as: the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other post-approval obligations, including quality control of our
Financial Disclosures, or others refer to as “material” to viral or disease outbreaks and the availability of vaccines; manufacturing; legislative and regulatory reform; the ability
reflect the issues of greater importance or priorities of Alcon the commercial success of our products and our ability to of Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. to comply with its investment
and our stakeholders. Used in this context, however, these maintain and strengthen our position in our markets; the tax incentive agreement with the Swiss State Secretariat for
terms are distinct from, and should not be confused with, the success of our research and development efforts, including Economic Affairs in Switzerland and the Canton of Fribourg,
terms “material” and “materiality” as defined by or construed our ability to innovate to compete effectively; our success Switzerland; our ability to manage environmental, social
in accordance with securities, or other, laws or as used in in completing and integrating strategic acquisitions; our and governance matters to the satisfaction of our many
the context of financial statements and reporting. Finally, we ability to successfully transition the manufacture, distribution stakeholders, some of which may have competing interests;
did not seek, nor was there, external assurance from third and commercialization of Simbrinza from Novartis; our our ability to operate as a stand-alone company; whether
parties with respect to the information contained in this ability to leverage existing relationships with healthcare the transitional services Novartis has agreed to provide us
report. professionals to help drive patient adoption of Simbrinza; are sufficient; the impact of the spin-off from Novartis on
pricing pressure from changes in third party payor coverage our shareholder base; the impact of being listed on two
This report, which speaks only as of its date, is not and reimbursement methodologies; global and regional stock exchanges; the ability to declare and pay dividends;
comprehensive, and for that reason, this report should be economic, financial, legal, tax, political, and social change; the different rights afforded to our shareholders as a Swiss
read in conjunction with our 2020 Annual Report on Form 20-F data breaches or other disruptions of our information corporation compared to a US corporation; and the effect
and subsequent interim financial reports, particularly the technology systems; ongoing industry consolidation; our of maintaining or losing our foreign private issuer status
“Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections, all ability to properly educate and train healthcare providers on under US securities laws. Additional factors are discussed in
of which can be found at https://investor.alcon.com/financials. our products; changes in inventory levels or buying patterns our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
This report may contain references to our proprietary of our customers; the impact of a disruption in our global Commission, including our Form 20-F. Should one or more of
intellectual property. All product names appearing in italics or supply chain or important facilities; ability to service our these uncertainties or risks materialize, or should underlying
ALL CAPS are trademarks owned by or licensed to Alcon Inc. debt obligations; our ability to comply with the US Foreign assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other applicable anti- materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING corruption laws, particularly given that we have entered into rely on any of these forward-looking statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS a three-year Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the US
Department of Justice; uncertainty and impact relating to the Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of
This report contains, and our officers and representatives potential phasing out of LIBOR and transition to alternative the date of its filing, and we assume no obligation to update
may from time to time make, certain “forward-looking reference rates; the need for additional financing through forward-looking statements as a result of new information,
statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions the issuance of debt or equity; our reliance on outsourcing future events or otherwise.

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