Better Health for All

Boston Scientific's core business is developing, manufacturing, and marketing medical devices to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic pain, and urological disorders. This indicates that 100% of its product portfolio delivers substantial health benefits. The company's revenue is derived from these health-positive products, with no evidence of offerings that have negative health outcomes. For instance, its cardiovascular unit saw a 25% sales increase, driven by demand for heart devices like pacemakers and stents.

The company also acquired Silk Road Medical for $1.6 billion to expand its stroke prevention device offerings. As a medical technology company, its products do not have addiction potential, nor is it a pharmaceutical or food company, making related KPIs not applicable.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

The provided articles describe Boston Scientific's activities as a medical technology company, including supporting STEM education and health programs

, implementing supplier diversity initiatives , and ensuring fair pay for its employees . However, the 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity' ethical value specifically assesses activities related to lending, insurance, moving, or storing money, and the provision of financial services. None of the articles provide specific, concrete data points or evidence that Boston Scientific engages in these types of financial services or offers financial products to consumers or businesses. Therefore, no KPIs can be scored based on the evidence provided.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

In 2023, the company reported no statistically significant pay disparity for 99% or more of its employees worldwide

, following regular independent, third-party assessments conducted since 2017 . As of December 31, 2022, the company achieved a safety level of 0.28 injuries per 100 employees and has obtained ISO 45001:2018 certification at eight key global locations .

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Boston Scientific reported zero incidents of forced or child labor identified in its activities or supply chains in 2023.

The company also stated it was unaware of any human rights violations perpetrated by the company, its employees, and affiliates in the past five years.

Honest & Fair Business

In August 2022, Boston Scientific disclosed an investigation into whistleblower claims alleging violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in Vietnam.

Historically, since 2000, the company has incurred approximately $1.65 billion in penalties, with $1.52 billion of this total related to safety violations. Additionally, in 2003, Boston Scientific was fined over $7 million for violating an FTC order designed to preserve competition. On a positive note, in 2020, the company was recognized as one of America's Most Just Companies by Forbes and Just Capital, ranking 38th overall and first in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. It was also named a Culture Champion by the MIT Sloan Management Review and Glassdoor Culture 500. Boston Scientific supports the United Nations International Bill of Human Rights and has established policies to respect and protect human rights across its operations and supply chain.

Kind to Animals

Boston Scientific's animal-related facilities are accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)

and are routinely audited by internal experts and government agencies, including the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2023, these facilities had zero findings resulting in action following over 415 external audit days. The company's policy commits to the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals and strictly abides by the concept of the three Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use). It uses alternative testing whenever feasible and scientifically valid , but animal testing is utilized on occasion in research and development efforts , particularly when mandated by regulations, such as those from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

No War, No Weapons

Boston Scientific's contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense are exclusively for medical devices, such as cardiovascular products and neuromodulation items, and explicitly do not involve weaponry or combat equipment.

This includes a five-year, $265.2 million contract and an $83.1 million contract, as well as another five-year contract worth up to $265 million for cardiovascular supplies extending until September 30, 2026. The company also demonstrated humanitarian commitment by donating $1 million to Project HOPE in March 2022 for Ukrainian refugee support in Poland, establishing medical supply corridors and assisting Polish healthcare.

Planet-Friendly Business

Boston Scientific achieved 82% renewable electricity use in 2023, supported by Virtual Power Purchase Agreements in Europe and the U.S.

In 2022, its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company recycled 77% of solid, non-hazardous waste from manufacturing and distribution sites in 2023.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Boston Scientific required unconscious bias training for all employees.

The company has no reported cultural appropriation incidents. It actively engages with Indigenous communities through its Fostering Indigenous Resources and Empowerment (FIRE) employee resource group, established in October 2022, which has over 350 members across multiple chapters. Activities have included volunteering at traditional wacipi, hosting virtual beadwork sessions led by Indigenous artists, and partnering with organizations like the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) to mentor young Indigenous individuals. Boston Scientific has also developed land acknowledgment statements and installed plaques at its Minnesota and Massachusetts sites to recognize ancestral Indigenous homelands. Additionally, the company committed $3.5 million to a multiyear strategy to address systemic racism, including over $320,000 in donations to BIPOC-owned small businesses in Minnesota.

Safe & Smart Tech

In 2023, Boston Scientific co-chaired the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) device security working group, contributing to the publication of a landmark medical device cybersecurity risk management standard

. The company also partnered with the University of Minnesota to establish the Center for Medical Device Cybersecurity, focusing on cybersecurity research, outreach, and workforce training to advance industry-wide cybersecurity practices . Additionally, Boston Scientific's Global Cybersecurity team adopted a centralized data security approach in 2023, aligning with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) , and conducts regular cybersecurity training for employees, utilizing penetration testing .

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

In 2023, Boston Scientific recycled 77% of solid, non-hazardous waste from all manufacturing and key distribution sites.

The company has a goal to divert at least 90% of such waste from landfills and incineration by 2030. Waste reduction initiatives include piloting zero-waste programs at seven global sites, providing waste management training, a new package design for Ureteral Stents saving 120,000 pounds of plastic annually, and cutting paper usage by 90% by 2026 through electronic instructions. The Green Procurement Program assesses potential suppliers' sustainability focus, incorporates environmental provisions in contracts, conducts annual assessments to monitor improvements in key green metrics, and engages suppliers in sustainability discussions.