SUPPLIERS

INTEGRAL TO OUR SUCCESS

Learn about our expectations, the products and services we purchase, and additional supplier requirements.

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY

OUR DIVERSITY IS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

We work hard to ensure that equitable opportunities are afforded to small and diverse-owned businesses.

Stewardship

INGREDIENT SAFETY AND PROCESS QUALITY

Safe, reliable products are a vital part of our commitment to improving human health.

SUPPLIER GUIDELINES

OUR SUPPLIER GUIDELINES HELP ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN STRONG BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

Abbott suppliers are required to read and agree to our supplier guidelines (English), which describe expectations for the following:

  • Ethical behavior
  • Business integrity and fair competition
  • Privacy
  • Labor rights and worker protection
  • Animal welfare
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Health and safety practices

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

OUR SUPPLIERS MEET IMPORTANT STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBIILITY

It is a part of our mission of being a socially responsible company to evaluate new and existing suppliers. We evaluate their ability to provide safe working conditions and respectfully treat independent contractors, as well as maintain ethical practices, environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and excellent management systems.

Further, Abbott only conducts business with suppliers who ensure that their business is free of human trafficking and slavery.

For more information about our Supplier Social Responsibility Program, see our FAQs, our disclosure for California Transparency in Supply Chains Act or contact AbbottSupplierSocialResponsibilityProgram@abbott.com.

PROSPECTIVE SUPPLIERS

SUBMIT YOUR COMPANY INFORMATION

Prospective suppliers (non-diverse), may submit company information to supplier@abbott.com. Include your line of business in the subject line.

NOTE: Diverse Suppliers: click here for mailbox for diverse suppliers.

PERFOMANCE

WE DRIVE SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE THROUGH FEEDBACK 

We’ve established criteria for measuring the performance of the suppliers that have the greatest impact on our business. Performance monitoring, as described in the Supplier Performance Program brochure, is conducted for this group of suppliers.

INTERACTING WITH HCP'S

MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS

Our operating procedures for interactions with healthcare professionals and customers in the United States are intended as a reference guide to assist suppliers in complying with our operating procedures for program funding when performing functions on our behalf. The division ethics and compliance officer must pre-approve any exception to these procedures.

These procedures are effective January 1, 2013.

PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS

PURCHASE ORDER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE U.S.

For U.S. purchase orders, Terms & Conditions (T&C) applicable for material terms and conditions and service terms and conditions shall apply to all transactions in which Abbott is the purchaser. If a separate agreement between Abbott and Supplier exists, the T&Cs set forth in such written agreement shall control in respect to any conflicting PO T&Cs. Please see the U.S. P.O. supplier notes document for additional information.

WHAT WE PURCHASE

WE PURCHASE A VARIETY OF GOODS AND SERVICES

In 2013, we purchased an estimated $8.4 billion in goods and services from more than 23,000 suppliers worldwide. The types of goods and services we purchase include:

  • Advertising
  • Agricultural commodities
  • Banking
  • Biological products
  • Capital equipment
  • Chemical products
  • Commercial services
    • Advertising
    • Meetings/events
    • Printing
  • Computers/computer supplies
  • Construction
  • Disposables
  • Electronics
  • Energy/utilities
  • Engineering services
  • Fleet vehicles/service
  • Food services
  • Fuels/lubricants
  • Glass containers
  • Healthcare professional (HCP) Services
  • Healthcare organization (HCO)
  • Injection-molded parts
  • IT/telecom services
  • Janitorial/laundry services
  • Landscaping/paving/blacktopping
  • Legal services
  • Logistics/transportation services
  • Machined parts
  • Market research
  • Metal fabrication
  • MRO supplies
  • Needles/cannulas
  • Office supplies and services
  • Packaging/supplies/labels
  • Pest control/waste removal
  • Professional services
    • Consulting
    • Financial
    • HR
    • PR
    • Training
  • Safety supplies
  • Scheduled drugs/SDA alcohols
  • Third-party manufacturing
  • Transportation and delivery
  • Vehicle maintenance