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Verification


Verification of our Sustainability Report


3M’s 2008 Sustainability Report was prepared using the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The GRI is a voluntary reporting protocol used supported by 3M and other global companies to promote international harmonization in the reporting of relevant and credible corporate environmental, social and economic performance information. Note: The GRI has not verified the contents of this report, nor does it take a position on the reliability of information reported herein. For further information about GRI, please visit www.globalreporting.org.


In following the GRI guidelines, we have incorporated the reporting principles of the GRI G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. In addition, we have followed AccountAbility’s Assurance Standard (AA1000) including providing adequate evidence to support the information contained in this report. For further information about AccountAbility, please visit www.accountability.org.uk.


Internal Verification


We have conducted an internal verification of the information provided in this report. The objectives for our assurance process included:


  • Accuracy and completeness of data.
  • Reliability of systems used to measure and record data.
  • Reliability of ratios compiled from underlying data (i.e., eco-efficiency metrics).
  • Adherence to the GRI G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.
  • Implementation of internal policies and related management systems as reported.
  • Presentation of a complete and fair picture in the report as a whole.

Third Party Verification


Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is in the process of reviewing 3M’s 2008 Sustainability Report and procedures so that they may provide an independent, third party assurance of the report.

ERM previously provided an independent, third party assurance of 3M's 2006 sustainability report. 3M’s 2008 sustainability report was developed using the same processes and systems as its 2006 report. The assurance was informed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (2006) and AA1000 Assurance Standard (2003). ERM assessed information in the report regarding the following:

  • Completeness: does the sustainability report cover all the operations and impacts that an external reader would need to know about?
  • Relevance: are the indicators and programs reported the appropriate ones, given the sector, type of operations, and locations involved?
  • Accuracy: does the report accurately reflect 3M’s sustainability performance and challenges?
  • Responsiveness: does 3M respond to a wide range of external expectations and pressures related to sustainability issues?
For more information, please see ERM's 2006 Letter of Assurance (PDF, 42KB).