3M Public Policy

With operations in more than 60 nations and leading positions in a wide range of businesses and markets, developing 3M public policies can be a complex process. 3M manages this challenge by working with local, national and international government agencies and through membership organizations. In the United States, an evaluation process developed by the 3M Public Affairs Department establishes a public policy agenda of issues impacting our businesses. Internationally, 3M managing directors of host country businesses are responsible for evaluating and determining key government issues in their respective countries.

The Top-10 list of Public Policy Issues serves as a roadmap for company activities to include lobbying, trade association work, executive involvement, political contributions, grassroots communications and advocacy involving employees and retirees, as well as meetings with federal and state government officials. In selecting which priority issues make 3M's Top-10 list, the company uses a number of screens. Chief among theses screens are issues with the potential to significantly affect 3M's financial performance and/or our corporate reputation. Other screens are immediacy of impact on the company; situations in which 3M may be uniquely advantaged or disadvantaged; importance based on instinct and/or history; or employee/retiree satisfaction. This list of priorities helps the Corporate Public Affairs team focus on those issues that have the greatest impact on the company. Finally, and probably most importantly, the Top-10 list of issues helps to ensure that the many faces of 3M always speak with a single, unified voice. Bottom line: the Top-10 list serves as the guide for advancing 3M's public policy goals and growth-through-government objectives.

Example: Top 10 3M Public Policy Issues in the United States (On January 1, 2009)

1. Tax Policy
   

   3M believes business tax reform, a significant reduction of the corporate income tax rate and permanent research tax credits, among other things, are essential to the long-term competitiveness of American businesses and workers.

2. Environmental and Health Regulation
   

   As a recognized global leader in sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, 3M supports prudent and meaningful actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It specifically supports a U.S. cap-and-trade system if the system provides credit for companies like 3M that already have achieved significant reductions.

3. Free and Fair Trade
   

   3M believes the U.S. economy and American jobs depend on the passage of additional, international trade agreements. Free trade also requires recognition and enforcement of intellectual property rights and trading rules.

4. Legal Reform and Intellectual Property Protection
   

   3M supports U.S. patent law reform to ensure that intellectual property is promptly and effectively examined and patents issued, with remedies to stop and compensate for unauthorized use. In tort law reform, 3M believes those injured by faulty products need fair compensation proportionate to the injury of the claimant and fault of the defendant.

5. Freedom of Choice in Union Membership
   

   3M supports the rights provided to employers and employees under the National Labor Relations Act. It opposes any legislation to diminish or eliminate secret ballots by employees voting to either accept or reject union representation.

6. Health Care
   

   3M believes reforms to the U.S. health care system should focus on increasing efficiencies as well as improving quality outcomes and patient safety.

7. Highway Trust Fund Solvency and Infrastructure Investment
   

   The maintenance and improvement of the nation’s transportation infrastructure can only be achieved if the Highway Trust Funds remains solvent. All highway user fees should be dedicated to the fund and steps taken to crack down on fuel tax evasion.

8. Energy Policy
   

   3M supports national and state energy policies that address new sources of energy, alternative energy, faster adoption of technology and improved energy efficiency.

9. Defense and Homeland Security Solutions
   

   3M believes our national preparedness and security should be strengthened through improved border and immigration security, improved force protection measures, additional support for first responders and planning for pandemics and other emergencies.

10. Retirement Security
    

    3M believes any reforms to Social Security, pensions and private savings – the basis of retirement security -- should ensure the viability of all options. Any reforms should maintain employers’ ability to provide and effectively manage retirement benefits to employees.