To improve the integration of corporate responsibility-related processes and increasing accountability for performance across the company, Merck's governance of corporate responsibility continued to advance throughout 2010.

Merck's Executive Committee and the Merck Public Policy and Responsibility Council approved the new corporate responsibility framework and have made a commitment to review annually the company's progress towards the goals and objectives of the framework.

The Office of Corporate Responsibility

Merck's corporate responsibility performance is dependent on all Merck employees—from Merck's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Committee, through each business unit, subsidiary, manufacturing plant and research laboratory. All of us at Merck are aware of these responsibilities through Our Values and Standards—the Merck Code of Conduct. But we recognize that a central coordinating function is necessary to ensure a comprehensive corporate responsibility approach.

The Office of Corporate Responsibility is responsible for coordinating the development, implementation and communication of Merck's global corporate responsibility approach and, with the Public Policy and Responsibility Council, for reporting on Merck's corporate responsibility performance. The Office of Corporate Responsibility works with business units and functional areas to integrate Merck's corporate responsibility principles into business policies, strategies and practices—and brings the voice of external stakeholders into decision-making processes.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Office of Corporate Responsibility has brought new focus and coherence to the company's corporate responsibility efforts and has established more systematic processes for data gathering, analysis and stakeholder engagement. The Office of Corporate Responsibility, which supports the company's business strategy, is accountable for producing an annual corporate responsibility report. To contact members of the Office of Corporate Responsibility please click here.

The Public Policy and Responsibility Council

In addition to the Office of Corporate Responsibility, Merck established the Public Policy and Responsibility Council, a senior-level, decision-making governance body responsible for developing and monitoring Merck's corporate responsibility approach, targets, and progress against key performance indicators. Membership includes senior Merck leaders across all divisions and major functions. The Council's responsibilities include reviewing external issues with the potential to affect Merck's business and reputation; providing high-level guidance on Merck's overall approach to corporate responsibility, such as deciding on priority issues; developing policies and position statements; identifying key external stakeholders and engaging in outreach; reviewing Merck's annual corporate responsibility report; and providing counsel and guidance to the Office of Corporate Responsibility on an on-going basis.

The Corporate Responsibility Report Working Group

In 2010, the Office of Corporate Responsibility established the Corporate Responsibility Report Working Group. Each member of the working group works directly with a member of the Public Policy and Responsibility Council to promote further integration of corporate responsibility into the business. Individual members have been chosen to be active advocates for corporate responsibility within their respective areas. In addition, the members of the working group, who represent a diverse group of employees from all divisions of the company, serve as content experts in their respective areas and work with the Office of Corporate Responsibility to help set goals and develop metrics to support and measure Merck's overall corporate responsibility strategy and objectives.

Executive Committee

Our Executive Committee manages the business of Merck. The Committee is headed by Merck Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth C. Frazier. These top leaders, representing diverse areas of the company, are responsible for reviewing the non-financial corporate responsibility indicators annually and the company's progress against our corporate responsibility commitments, and reviewing and approving the annual corporate responsibility report. Learn more.

Board Committee on Public Policy and Social Responsibility

Five independent directors comprise Merck's Board Committee on Public Policy and Social Responsibility. The Committee is responsible for advising the Board of Directors and management on company policies and practices that pertain to the company's role as a global corporate citizen, its special obligations as a company whose products and services affect health and quality of life around the world, and its commitment to the highest standards of ethics and integrity in all its dealings.

In addition to the Board Committee on Public Policy and Social responsibility, other Board committees oversee aspects of corporate responsibility-related issues, such as corporate governance, audit and compliance and executive compensation.