Integrity
Operating responsibly
Our role as a genomics pioneer brings with it the responsibility to enable innovation for good, ensuring that the technology we create and the data we collect are used safely, ethically, and responsibly
33%
female Board members
8
independent Directors
33%
racial/ethnic representation on Board
Corporate governance
We are committed to conducting ourselves with honesty, integrity, and respect for all. Our role as a genomics pioneer brings responsibility to enable innovation for good, ensuring that the technology we create and the data we collect are used safely, ethically, and responsibly. We focus on strong corporate governance and ethical leadership to create a safe, supportive environment for employees, partners and customers.
Our culture of compliance and ethics begins with Illumina’s Board of Directors. We also seek guidance from our Ethics Advisory Board (EAB) on a range of strategic issues including recommendations on emerging ethics matters, policies, and regulations that are relevant to the genomics industry.
Compliance and business ethics
At Illumina, we are at the forefront of the evolution of genomics from pure research to in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices. With this evolution, we operate in the ever-changing, highly regulated IVD market and often interact with health care professionals and government officials, representatives, and agencies that regulate the markets in which we do business.
Illumina is committed to high standards of ethical business conduct, including compliance with all applicable anti-bribery/corruption and anti-kickback laws, as well as relevant medical device industry codes. Based on this commitment, Illumina has adopted a Code of Conduct and implements a robust anti-corruption compliance program aimed at ensuring that every employee has the knowledge and awareness to operate appropriately in this market.
Illumina has established a compliance committee to direct and oversee our compliance activities, including administration of the Code of Conduct and compliance program. We provide annual training on our Code of Conduct and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policies for all employees globally and more focused training on other compliance-related policies.
We encourage our employees to raise concerns to their managers, HR, and the Compliance Department directly and have established a third-party Compliance and Fraud Prevention Hotline that Illumina employees and third parties may use to report concerns anonymously. We track and respond to all compliance concerns raised, acting promptly to identify offenses and take corrective action when necessary while observing a strict non-retaliation policy.
Public policy
To help expand access and reach of genomics, we proactively and responsibly engage policymakers and key stakeholders around the world on issues that are important to our mission and business. In accordance with our Code of Conduct, we commit to upholding compliance and ethics in our dealings with governments, government agencies and public officials. We are dedicated and committed to expanding access to the power of genomics to patients across the globe through constructive and transparent engagement with governments.
Advocating for public policies that ensure and enable broad access to genomic technologies is a priority. Our legislative priorities:
- Advancement of precision medicine
- Adoption and reimbursement for genetic testing
- Adoption and reimbursement for NIPT
- Adoption of genomic infectious disease surveillance
- Promoting STEM opportunities
Human rights
Integrity and fairness are central to our values, and how we operate in the workplace and the marketplace. We acknowledge and respect the fundamental principles contained in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Global Compact. As a United Nations Global Compact signatory, we have integrated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into our strategy, culture, and operations. Our Human Rights Policy includes: elimination of child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking; maintaining a safe workplace; and equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We believe that genomic technologies should be used to benefit humanity, and we only work with partners who support and advance this mission.
Ethical use of genomics
Illumina is steadfast in our commitment that genomic technologies be used to benefit humanity, and we will only work with partners who support and advance this mission. Our Human Rights Policy and customer agreements outline our expectations regarding ethical business conduct and the use of our technology, and the steps we can take in the event of a possible violation.
We have expanded and enhanced our oversight and accountability processes to monitor and enforce these commitments and prevent sales that could result in misuse or human rights concerns before they happen. Illumina is committed to investigating potential reports of product misuse and will not hesitate to cease sales to business partners in the event of a confirmed ethics or human rights concern.
Data privacy and security
Genomics data is powering positive progress around the world. Our technologies and services inherently involve handling large amounts of genomic and health data that must be protected, making cybersecurity integral to achieving our company mission. As we expand access to genomics around the world, we must also ensure that the resulting data is respected and properly secured.
We are committed to developing, upholding, and promoting the highest standards for genomic data privacy. Our Privacy Policy defines the way we use, maintain, protect, disclose, and transfer personal information.
Artificial intelligence
ethics principles
Illumina creates and uses artificial intelligence (AI) systems to power industry-leading sequencing quality, fuel data insights, improve understanding of genomic variation in relation to health and disease and to advance genomic science. We are committed to developing and using AI systems according to applicable laws and the following guiding principles: transparency, diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, values driven design, and accountability.
Responsible supply chain
We consider it business-critical to work with suppliers who share our commitment to integrity, and who support an ethical and compliant culture. We approach our supply chain as partners in our effort to work toward a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
We hold our suppliers to the same standards of business conduct that we set for ourselves. We require them to comply with the standards of behavior outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct and exhibit social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Our supplier diversity efforts aim to cultivate a supplier base that reflects the diversity of our communities, customers, employees, and the local economies where we operate. We recognize that a diverse supplier base provides a competitive business advantage by harnessing suppliers’ unique experiences and creative solutions.
2030 Supply Chain Goals
20%
total spend allocated to diverse suppliers
100%
strategic suppliers commit to reducing environment footprint