Idenitifed Material Aspects and Boundaries


Safety of Products, Chemicals, and Customers


Disclosure 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its boundary


Based on the results of our recently completed comprehensive materiality assessment, our top tier material topics of focus include:
  • Safety of Products, Chemicals and Customers
  • Employee Attraction & Retention
  • Energy, Emissions and Waste
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Life Cycle Assessment
Safety of Products, Chemicals, and Customers includes areas such as product stewardship, product safety, chemicals management, alternatives assessment, and customer stewardship. This topic area has a broad boundary that includes our suppliers, employees and customers. For additional information about current and future initiatives in this area, please see GRI Issue Disclosures 301 and 416.

As of the writing of this report, we are focused on developing targets and goals based on the materiality assessment and plan to disclose these prior to the release of our next report.

For additional information regarding the materiality assessment, please refer to page 5 of our Corporate Social Responsibility Report, available at www.sherwin.com.


Disclosure 103-2 The management approach and its components


After the materiality assessment was completed, Sherwin-Williams’ Sustainability Council, consisting of six working groups, was formed to address the five most prominent topics identified in the assessment, as well as our governance structure and processes. Each working group consists of subject-matter experts with respect to each group’s area of focus. The Sustainability Council is focused on deeper integration of sustainability and other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives throughout Sherwin-Williams and the proactive identification of emerging ESG trends and opportunities across the organization. It is also tasked with driving the development, recommendation and implementation of Company-wide ESG targets and goals. The Sustainability Council provides periodic updates regarding the Council’s progress and initiatives to the Sustainability Steering Committee, which consists of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, including those within the areas of Environmental, Health, and Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Global Supply Chain, Global Sustainability and Global Operations. Management, including members of the Sustainability Steering Committee, periodically reviews our policies, objectives, and practices regarding risks related to our environmental, safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.


Disclosure 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach


For information regarding Sherwin-Williams’ governance structure, including with respect to the responsibilities and purpose of the Sustainability Steering Committee consisting of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, please refer to pages 6-7 of Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report , available at www.sherwin.com.


Employee Attraction & Retention


Disclosure 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its boundary


Based on the results of our recently completed comprehensive materiality assessment, our top tier material topics of focus include:
  • Safety of Products, Chemicals and Customers
  • Employee Attraction & Retention
  • Energy, Emissions and Waste
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Life Cycle Assessment
Employee Attraction & Retention includes areas such as training, retention metrics, and diversity and inclusion. This topic area is specific to our employees. For additional information about current and future initiatives in this area, please see GRI Issue Disclosures 401 and 404.

As of the writing of this report, we are focused on developing targets and goals based on the materiality assessment and plan to disclose these prior to the release of our next report.

For additional information regarding the materiality assessment, please refer to page 5 of our Corporate Social Responsibility Report, available at www.sherwin.com.


Disclosure 103-2 The management approach and its components


After the materiality assessment was completed, Sherwin-Williams’ Sustainability Council, consisting of six working groups, was formed to address the five most prominent topics identified in the assessment, as well as our governance structure and processes. Each working group consists of subject-matter experts with respect to each group’s area of focus. The Sustainability Council is focused on deeper integration of sustainability and other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives throughout Sherwin-Williams and the proactive identification of emerging ESG trends and opportunities across the organization. It is also tasked with driving the development, recommendation and implementation of Company-wide ESG targets and goals. The Sustainability Council provides periodic updates regarding the Council’s progress and initiatives to the Sustainability Steering Committee, which consists of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, including those within the areas of Environmental, Health, and Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Global Supply Chain, Global Sustainability and Global Operations. Management, including members of the Sustainability Steering Committee, periodically reviews our policies, objectives, and practices regarding risks related to our environmental, safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.


Disclosure 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach


For information regarding Sherwin-Williams’ governance structure, including with respect to the responsibilities and purpose of the Sustainability Steering Committee consisting of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, please refer to pages 6-7 of Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report , available at www.sherwin.com.


Energy, Emissions, & Waste


Disclosure 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its boundary


Based on the results of our recently completed comprehensive materiality assessment, our top tier material topics of focus include:
  • Safety of Products, Chemicals and Customers
  • Employee Attraction & Retention
  • Energy, Emissions and Waste
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Life Cycle Assessment
Energy, Emissions, & Waste includes areas such as energy consumption, renewable energy, carbon and other air emissions, recycling and waste. This topic area is specific to the impact of our facilities and/or products. For additional information about current and future initiatives in this area, please see GRI Issue Disclosures 302, 303, 305, and 306.

As of the writing of this report, we are focused on developing targets and goals based on the materiality assessment and plan to disclose these prior to the release of our next report.

For additional information regarding the materiality assessment, please refer to page 5 of our Corporate Social Responsibility Report, available at www.sherwin.com.


Disclosure 103-2 The management approach and its components


After the materiality assessment was completed, Sherwin-Williams’ Sustainability Council, consisting of six working groups, was formed to address the five most prominent topics identified in the assessment, as well as our governance structure and processes. Each working group consists of subject-matter experts with respect to each group’s area of focus. The Sustainability Council is focused on deeper integration of sustainability and other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives throughout Sherwin-Williams and the proactive identification of emerging ESG trends and opportunities across the organization. It is also tasked with driving the development, recommendation and implementation of Company-wide ESG targets and goals. The Sustainability Council provides periodic updates regarding the Council’s progress and initiatives to the Sustainability Steering Committee, which consists of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, including those within the areas of Environmental, Health, and Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Global Supply Chain, Global Sustainability and Global Operations. Management, including members of the Sustainability Steering Committee, periodically reviews our policies, objectives, and practices regarding risks related to our environmental, safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.


Disclosure 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach


For information regarding Sherwin-Williams’ governance structure, including with respect to the responsibilities and purpose of the Sustainability Steering Committee consisting of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, please refer to pages 6-7 of Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report , available at www.sherwin.com.


Occupational Health and Safety


Disclosure 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its boundary


Based on the results of our recently completed comprehensive materiality assessment, our top tier material topics of focus include:
  • Safety of Products, Chemicals and Customers
  • Employee Attraction & Retention
  • Energy, Emissions and Waste
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Life Cycle Assessment
Occupational Health and Safety includes areas such as injury prevention, ergonomics, worker safety and contractor safety. This topic area is specific to our employees. For additional information about current and future initiatives in this area, please see GRI Issue Disclosure 403.

As of the writing of this report, we are focused on developing targets and goals based on the materiality assessment and plan to disclose these prior to the release of our next report.

For additional information regarding the materiality assessment, please refer to page 5 of our Corporate Social Responsibility Report, available at www.sherwin.com.


Disclosure 103-2 The management approach and its components


After the materiality assessment was completed, Sherwin-Williams’ Sustainability Council, consisting of six working groups, was formed to address the five most prominent topics identified in the assessment, as well as our governance structure and processes. Each working group consists of subject-matter experts with respect to each group’s area of focus. The Sustainability Council is focused on deeper integration of sustainability and other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives throughout Sherwin-Williams and the proactive identification of emerging ESG trends and opportunities across the organization. It is also tasked with driving the development, recommendation and implementation of Company-wide ESG targets and goals. The Sustainability Council provides periodic updates regarding the Council’s progress and initiatives to the Sustainability Steering Committee, which consists of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, including those within the areas of Environmental, Health, and Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Global Supply Chain, Global Sustainability and Global Operations. Management, including members of the Sustainability Steering Committee, periodically reviews our policies, objectives, and practices regarding risks related to our environmental, safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.


Disclosure 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach


For information regarding Sherwin-Williams’ governance structure, including with respect to the responsibilities and purpose of the Sustainability Steering Committee consisting of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, please refer to pages 6-7 of Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report , available at www.sherwin.com.


Life Cycle Assessment


Disclosure 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its boundary


Based on the results of our recently completed comprehensive materiality assessment, our top tier material topics of focus include:
  • Safety of Products, Chemicals and Customers
  • Employee Attraction & Retention
  • Energy, Emissions and Waste
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment includes areas such as product stewardship, carbon/environmental footprints, environmental product declarations and raw material selection and management. For additional information about current and future initiatives in this area, please see GRI Issue Disclosure 416 and our Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

As of the writing of this report, we are focused on developing targets and goals based on the materiality assessment and plan to disclose these prior to the release of our next report.

For additional information regarding the materiality assessment, please refer to page 5 of our Corporate Social Responsibility Report, available at www.sherwin.com.


Disclosure 103-2 The management approach and its components


After the materiality assessment was completed, Sherwin-Williams’ Sustainability Council, consisting of six working groups, was formed to address the five most prominent topics identified in the assessment, as well as our governance structure and processes. Each working group consists of subject-matter experts with respect to each group’s area of focus. The Sustainability Council is focused on deeper integration of sustainability and other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives throughout Sherwin-Williams and the proactive identification of emerging ESG trends and opportunities across the organization. It is also tasked with driving the development, recommendation and implementation of Company-wide ESG targets and goals. The Sustainability Council provides periodic updates regarding the Council’s progress and initiatives to the Sustainability Steering Committee, which consists of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, including those within the areas of Environmental, Health, and Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Global Supply Chain, Global Sustainability and Global Operations. Management, including members of the Sustainability Steering Committee, periodically reviews our policies, objectives, and practices regarding risks related to our environmental, safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.


Disclosure 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach


For information regarding Sherwin-Williams’ governance structure, including with respect to the responsibilities and purpose of the Sustainability Steering Committee consisting of members of our executive team and other senior leaders across the organization, please refer to pages 6-7 of Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report , available at www.sherwin.com.