Governance and supply chain

Stryker is committed to doing what’s right through good corporate governance and high expectations for ourselves and our suppliers. We strive to conduct our affairs in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and in accordance with the highest ethical standards. View our latest governance policies and information.

Upstream supply chain management

In alignment with our values, Stryker engages with suppliers who share our commitment to quality and integrity. We seek and develop strong relationships with a diverse group of suppliers who operate ethically and lawfully and who are accountable for their people and performance.

We align on expectations and drive performance with our suppliers as they develop innovative solutions, deliver high-quality materials, minimize disruption and uphold our values. This enables us to predictably provide our customers with the products they need in a responsible manner and deliver on our mission.

Strict adherence to our Supplier Code of Conduct is required for any supplier doing business with us. Our Supplier Code of Conduct communicates our expectations for suppliers in key areas including:

General business and ethics
Human rights
Labor and employment
Health, safety and the environment
Intellectual property and data

Our suppliers play an important role in supporting our environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, and we engage with them through third-party ESG assessments. The results of these assessments guide us in identifying areas where we can work with our suppliers to further develop their own ESG capabilities and performance. By the end of 2027, Stryker will engage 85% of our direct suppliers (by spend) on environmental, human rights and ethical performance.*

By the end of 2027, Stryker will engage 85% of our direct suppliers (by spend) on environmental, human rights and ethical performance.

Conflict minerals

We support the responsible procurement of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG) that may originate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding nations. We maintain a Conflict Minerals Policy and provide updates on these efforts in our Conflict Minerals Reports filed annually with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the most recent copy of which can be found in Stryker’s Corporate Responsibility reports and resources. We are also a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative.

Supplier diversity

We drive positive company and community outcomes by engaging a diverse supply chain to support innovation, resiliency and growth. Learn more about supplier diversity at Strkyer.

Ethical marketing and sales

Stryker follows strict rules about how we market and sell our products and services, in compliance with applicable and legal requirements. Our Code of Conduct guides this commitment, and Corporate Policy 5: On-Label Product Promotion instructs our internal sales force and third parties—including ICs who sell on our behalf—to promote products only for their approved uses, as conveyed on the product's labeling.

We've adopted ethical guidelines from AdvaMed and other industry groups to ensure proper interactions with healthcare professionals. We remain focused on modernizing and expanding our global healthcare professional interactions program to make it simpler and more consistent worldwide. This includes providing clear guidelines, practical training, and easy-to-use tools that help our employees do their jobs confidently and ethically. The improved program will also help us spot and solve problems more quickly.

Animal welfare directive

Our animal welfare directive balances our ethical commitments to both patient care and animal welfare. This directive sets clear principles and limitations for when and how animals may be used in product development and lifecycle management. For more information, refer to our complete directive.