Better Health for All

Fortrea's core business as a contract research organization (CRO) involves managing over 5,800 clinical studies in the past five years, including more than 870 trials for over 200 rare diseases and 1,270 oncology studies supporting 253,000 patients.

This directly contributes to accelerating life-changing therapies. The company is working to improve diversity and inclusion in clinical trials through partnerships like the Community Clinical Oncology Research Network (CCORN) and mobile clinic screening programs. It funded a Safe Space Center for the LGBTQ+ community in Bangalore, India, sponsored over 427,000 school lunches for 4,300 students, and provided accommodations for 55 children receiving cancer treatment. Fortrea has eight Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) with almost 4,000 members, and its CEO signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge, joining over 2,500 CEOs. The company has a global cybersecurity program and complies with GDPR, PIPL, and PIPEDA. It supports mental health through participation in Movember and counseling services at the Safe Space Center. Fortrea educates patients about clinical research and established five STEM centers and a digital center benefiting over 2,500 school children. The company adheres to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and is committed to improving trust in and access to clinical trials for all patients. Fortrea is preparing its first submissions to third-party ratings and disclosure organizations like EcoVadis and CDP, with results expected by December 2024 for EcoVadis.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Fortrea's 2024 UK Gender Pay Gap Report indicates that women's median hourly pay is 11.5% lower than men's, meaning women earn 88.5p for every £1 earned by men.

The median bonus pay for women was 36.4% lower than men's. In Australia, the 2024 report shows women's median hourly pay is 1.6% higher than men's, while their median bonus pay is 14.2% lower. The company conducted its first global employee engagement survey with a 74% response rate, and the results were generally above an external, cross-industry global benchmark for overall engagement. Additionally, more than 95.8% of part-time positions in the UK are held by females.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Fortrea incorporates human rights provisions in all contracts with Third Parties.

The company has established a standalone Supplier Code of Conduct that applies to all suppliers, vendors, contractors, consultants, and agents.

Honest & Fair Business

Fortrea has a formal whistleblower protection policy that encourages anonymous reporting via Fortrea.ethicspoint.com.

However, there is no evidence provided regarding independent investigation processes, training, or resolution timelines. The company also expects adherence to anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies, but the articles do not detail the scope, enforcement, training, or specific guidance of these policies.

Kind to Animals

Fortrea has a history of animal welfare violations, including a $31,500 fine in 2016 for the deaths of 13 cynomolgus monkeys in 2014 due to hyperthermia, and a $9,000 fine in 2023 for injuries to six monkeys between 2018 and 2022, mostly broken bones from poor handling.

The company breeds rhesus monkeys and beagles for its labs and other entities, and is one of the largest participants in the international primate trade. Fortrea's policy prohibits discretionary testing, but legal mandates still override alternatives. The company continues preclinical services involving non-human primates as part of drug safety assessments. Fortrea's capital expenditures were 3.8% of its revenues, but less than 1% of R&D spending supports the development of non-animal methods. Fortrea entered an AI-driven collaboration with Medidata to leverage features of Medidata AI Intelligent Trials, which is a membership in an industry consortium with minimal contributions. Fortrea publicly supports FDA initiatives to phase out certain animal testing requirements for biologics like monoclonal antibodies.

Planet-Friendly Business

Fortrea has officially committed to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), but validation of its targets is pending.

The company reported Scope 1 emissions of 864 metric tons and Scope 2 emissions of 7,424 metric tons for 2023, with Scope 3 emissions still to be determined. Its Shanghai office achieved a Gold LEED Certification, and the Drapers Yard facility in the UK earned a “Very Good” BREEAM rating. The Shanghai office reduced water consumption by 45% and recycled 75% of its construction debris. In Maharashtra, India, 14 million gallons of water were saved in one year through 75 rooftop rainwater harvesting units and 3 water and soil conservation structures. Fortrea is assessing alignment with TCFD reporting standards.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

The provided articles do not contain specific, quantitative data points for any of the KPIs related to 'Respect for Cultures & Communities'. While the company's 2024 CSR report mentions establishing an ESG strategy and working with a third-party partner to perform a materiality assessment,

and its careers pages highlight diversity and inclusion initiatives and community outreach programs, these statements lack the concrete metrics required by the rubric. There is no specific evidence for numbers of formal partnerships with indigenous or local community groups, percentages of revenue reinvested in local development, cultural appropriation incidents, cultural impact assessment protocols, local employment ratios, grievance mechanisms, or any other quantitative measure for the defined KPIs.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Fortrea has implemented multiple waste reduction initiatives across its facilities. At its Drapers Yard (UK) site, clinical waste process changes led to a 42% cost reduction and a 3-ton annual carbon emission reduction by eliminating incineration, and an improved recycling program eliminated 3.3 tons of emissions by reducing plastic bin liner use.

At its Leeds CRU, furniture reuse reduced carbon emissions by 36,296 kg, and operational waste reduction initiatives, including reducing incinerated clinical waste and plastic waste, resulted in over 5 tons of annual carbon emission reduction. In Shanghai, 75% of construction debris was recycled. In Maharashtra (India), 75 rooftop rainwater harvesting units and 3 water/soil conservation structures were installed, saving 14 million gallons of water in one year. The company is subject to laws regarding hazardous materials handling and seeks to comply with all relevant environmental and employee health and safety regulations, with some reduction initiatives in place. There have been no waste disposal violations in the past 3 years. Fortrea has company-wide waste reduction targets with timelines, as evidenced by its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative. It also has comprehensive waste program requirements for all its suppliers, expecting them to undertake initiatives for pollution prevention and waste reduction, and to have systems for safe handling and disposal of waste.