Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's supplier management focuses on more than just typical sourcing priorities such as competitive pricing, quality and delivery reliability - for us, compliance with fundamental environmental and social standards is also a key strategic goal. With this in mind, in 2013 and 2014 we further optimized our procurement strategies, processes and guidelines, aiming to improve adherence to internationally recognized compliance, environmental, and social standards along our supply chains, as well as to prevent violations of those standards. Because developing and emerging economies are gaining significance as sourcing markets, it is essential to ensure that suppliers located in these countries particularly adhere to these standards.