Government Relations & Political Activity

Government Relations & Political Activity

Kimberly-Clark's Government Relations organization works with U.S. and foreign governments to advocate for policies supportive of our company’s priorities and reflective of our global business footprint, sustainability goals, and social and environmental impact objectives. Our strategic time horizon is long, and we are focused on maintaining constructive relationships with government stakeholders in the United States and around the globe. In what can be a backdrop of polarized political climates, we emphasize a nonpartisan approach. In order to achieve our functional objectives, we advocate both directly as Kimberly-Clark and through trade and industry associations.  We aim to be a trusted resource of information for governments around the globe. 

Kimberly-Clark has engaged with key industry associations on initiatives such as the UN Global Climate Treaty on Plastics and policies focused on developing more sustainable products that reduce dependence on plastics and advancing extended producer responsibility (EPR), flushability standards, and recycling requirements and guidelines. We have also worked through industry associations to respond to climate impact reporting requirements. Social impact is an additional priority for our company, and we are proud of our partnerships with governments and communities that support our company’s ability to produce safe, affordable, and high quality feminine and baby care products for women, girls, infants and children—as well as a range of products that meet the essential needs of people at every age and stage in life.

Key U.S.-based industry associations with which we partner on the topics discussed above include but are not limited to:

• The Business Roundtable (BRT)

•  National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

•  American Institute for Packaging and Environment (AMERIPEN)

•  Center for Baby & Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP)

Kimberly-Clark's Government Relations organization is required to follow high ethical standards when communicating with government officials—and work in lock step with our Legal and Compliance departments to help ensure our fellow colleagues understand and adhere to our Kimberly-Clark Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Policy. We seek full adherence to our political compliance and FCPA obligations—promoting high ethical standards, transparency and compliance with laws governing engagement with government officials around the world. As a part of our compliance programming, employees receive anti-corruption and compliance training, and we have implemented high standard compliance processes for review and approval of interactions with government officials.

Kimberly-Clark does not have a Political Action Committee (PAC), however Kimberly-Clark employees each have the right to participate personally in political processes and activities on their own time and at their own expense. Company sponsored political contributions are subject to thorough review and approval by our Legal and Compliance organizations.

For more information, see our annual Government Relations and Political Activity Disclosure and Positions and Policies Governance for Political Donations.