Alcon 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report
Alcon 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report
Alcon 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report
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
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
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.
$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
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
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.
vision impairment
care systems, and workforce 2
development. (see Philanthropy on
page 22 for more information)
Managing During
COVID-19
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.
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.
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.
$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
2020 was one of the most prolific years in Alcon’s history of innovation.
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
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
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
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.
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
ALCON 2020 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT SEE BRILLIANTLY 21
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
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
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
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
GLOBAL FEMALE REPRESENTATION GLOBAL FEMALE REPRESENTATION US ETHNICALLY DIVERSE US ETHNICALLY DIVERSE
(manager/supervisor) (manager/supervisor)
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
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
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.
Energy
Sustainable Operational
Efficiency Water
Products Waste
and GHG Stewardship
and Services Reduction
Reduction
Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c
Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c
98.4
89.2
Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c
2020 791
Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c
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
months, we
will install solar ~5% emissions decrease
arrays at Johor, in 2020 versus 2019
Malaysia,
one of our largest
manufacturing
sites.
ALCON 2020 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT SEE BRILLIANTLY 43
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
Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c
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
Sustainable Products and Services Energy Efficiency and GHG Reduction Operational Waste Reduction Water Stewardship
c c c c
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
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.
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.
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.
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
R&D PRODUCTIVITY
RECALL RATE 3
Vision Care — — — — —
Surgical 0.24% 0.63% 0.05% — 0.004%
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
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.
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
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE 6
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.
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.
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
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.
Content Indices
SASB Index 60
GRI Index 62
TCFD Index 68
Disclaimer 69
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
TCFD Index
Our Board of Directors and executive leadership team oversee and manage our environmental risks.
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.