Respect for human rights is embedded in the Company's Code of Conduct.

Our Values and Standards, was first developed and distributed to Merck employees in 1999. Edition III of the Code of Conduct was published in 2011 and it applies to all employees worldwide. Every new employee receives training based on Our Values and Standards, including considerations related to key human rights.

In 2007, Merck introduced Know the Code, an online training program that complements the Company's Values and Standards classroom training. All employees worldwide are required to complete Know the Code. Employees also are required to complete Safe to Speak Up, which emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where every employee is comfortable to raise workplace issues without fear of retaliation.

In 2009, Merck established Global Labor Relations Guiding Principles to support its Global Labor Relations Strategy and to ensure consistency worldwide. These principles support Merck's commitment to respect employees' lawful freedom of association globally.

Mechanisms to Report Concerns

• The Merck AdviceLine is available either by telephone or the intranet to employees around the world 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by an independent organization that allows employees to remain anonymous, in accordance with applicable legal standards for operation of whistle-blowing hotlines.
• The Merck Ombudsman Program offers a "safe haven" for U.S. employees to express work-related issues without fear of retaliation. This program confidentially addresses employees' concerns about conduct that may be inconsistent with Merck's policies, practices, values and standards.

There are several ways in which employees can report suspected human rights violations, including:

• As a first step, seeking out an immediate supervisor or manager to discuss suspected violations
• If the matter is not successfully resolved, or if concerns remain, employees are encouraged to pursue the issue with their next level of management or Human Resources