"Because patients are not consumers in the usual sense of the term, and medicines are not conventional products, being a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry means embracing the ambitions of sustainable development.

This concept’s triple focus (economic, social and environmental) is perfectly aligned with our mission that, for over thirty years, sanofi-aventis employees have been fulfilling – preserving what is essential to us all: health.

In 2006, the Group created a network of sustainable development delegates representing the principal functions and countries under the leadership of the Corporate Sustainable Development Department. This network clearly demonstrates the Group’s commitment to strengthen the implementation and monitoring of our approach.

It goes without saying: sanofi-aventis upholds the highest international standards when it comes to respect for Human Rights (particularly patients’ rights). Beyond that, the Group has increased its levels of requirements by drafting and distributing in-house charters and ensuring their implementation: the Code of Ethics, the Social Charter and charters concerning ethical purchasing, use of laboratory animals and human biospecimens, as well as Good Clinical Practices, the Code of Financial Ethics, the Health, Safety and Environment policy, and the Pharmacovigilance and Quality Assurance functions.

Last but not least, the chemistry sites have made a commitment to improve safety and protect health and the environment in accordance with the principles of Responsible Care®.

These are powerful illustrations of sanofi-aventis’ determination to promote good practices in every aspect of its operations: Research & Development, Production, Distribution and Marketing."