Grifols creates a Sustainability Committee to strengthen its long-term sustainable growth model

Barcelona, December 16, 2020.- The Board of Directors of Grifols (MCE: GRF, MCE: GRF.P, NASDAQ: GRFS) strengthens its corporate governance structure with the creation of a new sustainability committee, aimed at enhancing the company’s role as a responsible and transparent organization committed to its stakeholders through the continuous improvement of its economic, social, environmental and corporate governance performance. This newly formed commission joins the Appointments and Remuneration Committee and the Audit Committee.

The Sustainability Committee will establish the core principles and commitments on environmental and social responsibility in the company’s business model and supervise the integration of financial and non-financial information on the ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance).

This newly formed committee reflects Grifols’ commitment to long-term sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are integrated into the firm’s business model to amplify the positive impact and value generated by its operations. Since its origins more than 100 years ago, Grifols has embraced a business model grounded on solid corporate governance and guided by integrity, ethics, safety, quality and innovation as core values, aligned with its mission of enhancing the health and well-being of people worldwide.

The Sustainability Committee is formed by three directors: Thomas Glanzmann, as President, Íñigo Sánchez-Asiaín Mardones and Enriqueta Felip Font. Núria Martín Barnés will be the Secretary of this Committee.

For Víctor Grífols Roura, Chairman of Grifols’ Board of Directors: “The creation of a Sustainability Committee is another important step forward which emphasizes that environmental, social and corporate governance factors have always been a priority for us. Our desire and intention is to make a positive impact, which is why sustainability matters play such a critical role in our executive agenda. Our efforts against climate change; promote diversity, inclusion and work-life balance; ensure the health and safety of our donors, patients and employees; and foster innovation and science as drivers of social progress within society are part of our culture and values.”

To this end, Grifols’ Board of Directors also approved a new Sustainability Policy to reinforce these fundamental principles and commitments in relation to environmental and social responsibility, serving as a basis for their integration into the Grifols’ business model; and a new Policy on Communication and Contacts with Shareholders, Institutional Investors and Proxy Advisors, which outlines principles of transparency, truthfulness, equality and immediacy in the disclosure of all financial and non-financial information.

Amid the current context and in light of the uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Grifols continues to respond in a decisive, efficient and agile way to bolster its business model and meet the evolving needs and demands during these unprecedented times in terms of sustainability and ethics and to promote its commitment to all its stakeholders.

Presence on sustainability indices

In 2020, Grifols was recognized as one of the most sustainable companies in the world by a diversity of indices and rating agencies. In November 2020, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Europe – an international reference in assessing the sustainability performance of publicly traded firms – for the first time.

The company was also included in the Euronext Vigeo Europe 120 and Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 indices based on the assessment by Vigeo Eiris, the prestigious rating agency that evaluates the performance of Europe’s most sustainable companies.

In addition, Grifols improved its score on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the world's leading environmental information platform which annually assesses corporate strategies and performance in relation to climate change. In 2020, the company attained an “A-” management rating.

Furthermore, Grifols has formed part of the FTSE4Good Global, FTSE4Good Europe and FTSE4Good Ibex indices since 2018.