Better Health for All

Thermo Fisher Scientific's core business provides scientific instrumentation, reagents, software, and services that accelerate life sciences research, improve patient diagnostics, and increase laboratory productivity. The company collaborates to provide faster and affordable NGS testing for cancer patients in over 30 countries

and offers affordable molecular testing solutions to low- and middle-income countries to reduce health disparities . Over 93% of its sites hold ISO 13485 certifications , ensuring product quality and contributing to better health outcomes globally. There is no evidence to suggest the company generates revenue from products with significant negative health impacts. The company also partnered with the National Minority Quality Forum in September 2023 to increase clinical research accessibility for underserved communities by training community clinicians . In February 2021, it committed up to $25 million to support Black communities and businesses in the U.S. to address economic disparities and promote health equity .

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

The company's primary business is scientific instrumentation and services. While Thermo Fisher Scientific has made impact investments totaling $25 million in minority-serving financial institutions and funds like the Black Economic Development Fund and Hope Credit Union to support underserved communities

, the provided articles do not contain the specific data points required by the KPIs for 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity'. These KPIs are designed to assess financial institutions based on metrics such as the share of their loan book, average APRs, revenue from high-cost financial products, or direct customer financial outcomes. As Thermo Fisher Scientific does not operate as a consumer financial services provider, the necessary data points to score these KPIs are not present in the evidence.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

In Ireland, the median gender pay gap was 31.6% in 2024, meaning women earned 68.4% of men's median pay.

In the US, an unadjusted median pay equity analysis in 2021 showed women earned 91.4% of men's total pay and racially and ethnically diverse colleagues earned 77.4% of White/Caucasian colleagues' total pay. For US clinical research colleagues, an adjusted analysis showed women earned 99.6% and racially and ethnically diverse colleagues earned 99.8% of their respective majority peers in similar roles. In the UK, women earned 101.7% of men's median hourly pay in 2023.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Thermo Fisher Scientific's Supplier Code of Conduct, reviewed in 2024, is integrated into supply agreements and terms and conditions

. These agreements require suppliers to comply with the Code and to enroll in, and maintain, membership with the company’s identified social responsibility and risk platform . Onsite audits were conducted by third-party independent auditors for certain high-risk suppliers in 2024, with no major findings identified . Corrective action plans are requested from suppliers with "insufficient" or "partial" performance, with reassessment in twelve months .

Honest & Fair Business

In 2024, Thermo Fisher recorded a $240 million tax reserve and associated interest to settle international tax audits for tax years 2009 through 2016.

The company maintains a comprehensive whistleblower policy, featuring a 24/7 confidential Global Ethics Hotline, which is independently managed and accessible to employees, customers, suppliers, and other external stakeholders. This policy allows for anonymous reporting where legally permissible and includes a non-retaliation clause, with all reported concerns rigorously and promptly investigated and documented. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which outlines these principles, is translated into 21 languages. Thermo Fisher enforces a Global Anti-Corruption Policy with a zero-tolerance stance on bribery and corruption, adhering to international laws such as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act. This policy applies to all employees and business partners, includes restrictions on gifts (e.g., a $100 limit for employees), and requires suppliers to meet the same standards. All employees receive compulsory annual ethics and compliance training, achieving a 99% completion rate, and directors and colleagues annually certify their compliance with the Code. For third-party verification of ethical claims related to its supply chain, Thermo Fisher conducted assessments for suppliers representing the top 71% of spend for the Fisher Scientific distribution channel in 2024, and the top 63% of direct materials spend for its self-manufactured product portfolio. These independent third-party assessments and onsite audits cover compliance, ethical trading, labor regulations, and responsible production practices.

Kind to Animals

Thermo Fisher Scientific practices animal testing for assessing risks of human exposure to drugs and endocrine-active chemicals.

Its policy, updated in 2018 and reinforced by a 2025 Supplier Code of Conduct, commits to seeking alternative research methods to reduce or eliminate animal use , complies with IACUC guidelines , and emphasizes the 'Three Rs' (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) , but lacks measurable goals. For alternative testing, the company uses human stem cells , surgically removed tissue , organs-on-chips , and AI to reduce the need for new animal experiments . Human stem cell tests show 93% sensitivity for detecting developmental problems. It also developed the ToxInsight Endocrine Profiler Panel for high-throughput pre-screen assessments of endocrine-active chemicals. In wildlife conservation, Thermo Fisher collaborates with Florida Atlantic University to conserve endangered species worldwide , conducts research on Arctic mammal conservation , monitors lemon sharks , and has a TB testing program protecting buffalo and other animals in South Africa . It also works to protect elephants at the Fort Worth Zoo and sponsored the Hawk Creek Wildlife Center.

No War, No Weapons

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. derived approximately 0.67% of its $44.56 billion 2025 revenue from defense-related contracts.

These contracts, totaling $297.09 million, include a $94.5 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for a dosimetry system, a $192.5 million contract for pipette tips, and smaller contracts for lab reagents, molecular test reagents, radiation detection equipment, and toxic vapor analyzers. The company conducts on-site audits to investigate credible human rights concerns or complaints raised through its Global Ethics Hotline and works to remediate any identified work practices that conflict with its Supplier Code of Conduct.

Planet-Friendly Business

Thermo Fisher Scientific's Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2030 from a 2018 baseline, have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative

. In 2023, the company sourced 41% of its global electricity from renewable sources . By 2023, 30% of its suppliers had set science-based emissions goals , with a future target of 90% of suppliers by 2027, acknowledging that over 90% of its emissions are from the supply chain . The company has also committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Thermo Fisher Scientific ceased sales of DNA collection kits in Tibet following reports of their use by Chinese authorities for mass DNA collection from Tibetans, which raised human rights concerns.

This action was a reactive response to the incident. The company has formed 4 formal partnerships with local community groups, including The Akshaya Patra Foundation , Université de Versailles , Care Beyond the Boulevard , and the National Minority Quality Forum . Additionally, Thermo Fisher Scientific actively protects cultural sites, using its technology to prevent corrosion of the Louvre Pyramid , with no reported incidents of disruption to cultural or heritage sites.

Safe & Smart Tech

Thermo Fisher Scientific established an AI Leadership Committee and a Generative AI Center of Excellence in 2023 to ensure responsible AI engagement and ethical data use for AI models.

A Bioethics Committee also oversees ethical standards in biotechnology. The company's cybersecurity program has earned ISO 27001 certification. In 2024, Thermo Fisher reported a data breach to the California Department of Justice. Following ethical scrutiny for selling DNA collection kits allegedly used for genetic surveillance, Thermo Fisher halted sales of these kits in Tibet in January 2024.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Thermo Fisher Scientific reported a non-hazardous waste diversion rate of 56% in 2023.

The company integrates circular design principles through its 'Greener by Design' program and a 'Design-for-the-Environment Intranet page', with examples including reformulating products to be non-hazardous , designing for ambient shipping , and a closed-loop recycling system for specific manufacturing waste . Numerous waste reduction initiatives are in place, such as an e-waste disposal program that refurbished 9,296 electrical assets and recycled 12,907 in 2024 , redirecting over 800,000 kg of solvent waste to recovery , and reducing solvent waste by over 23,000 kg through optimized production processes . Ambient shipping also reduces over 440,000 pounds of ice pack waste annually. Hazardous and biohazardous waste was reduced from 47,411 metric tons in 2018 to 32,135 metric tons in 2021 , with additional efforts in 2024 to repurpose spent sodium hydroxide pellets . The company uses 31% post-industrial recycled plastic material in its Samco UrineGUARD Specimen Containers. Ambitious waste reduction targets include achieving 30 certified zero-waste manufacturing and distribution sites by 2025 (a goal which was met) , and designing products to reduce plastic consumables, waste generation, and material use by at least 25%. For suppliers, 64% of direct material spend was assessed for sustainability performance in 2024 , and 18% (by spend) have science-based targets , supported by a 'Trusted Sustainability Partner Program' . Customer waste education is provided through 'green fact sheets' and a 'Recycling Guide for Product End of Use' .