Part of our stakeholder dialogue is also to participate actively in the political process, where we become involved and present our positions and viewpoints – either in direct dialogue with politicians or via our work with associations. Examples of important national and international industry associations of which we are position-holding members include the Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI, German Chemical Industry Association), the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), the Verband Forschender Arzneimittelhersteller (VFA, German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers), the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA). Furthermore, Merck is active in numerous charitable organizations, such as the Goethe-Institut, the Remembrance, Responsibility and Future Foundation, and the World Environment Center (WEC). In addition, we participate in initiatives and projects whose other participants share our standards of entrepreneurial behavior. For instance, we support the Code of Responsible Conduct for Business. During the reporting period, intensely discussed topics in the scope of our work with associations included in particular Responsible Care®, the new chemicals legislation known as REACH, and counterfeit medicines.
