Dow participates in many trade and business associations. Engagement with trade and business associations1, whose purpose is to promote common business interests, assists us in managing priorities relevant to Dow and the chemical industry. Trade associations support member companies by:
- Advocating company and industry positions
- Building critical relationships
- Educating the public
- Supporting informed, sound public policy decisions
Many trade and business associations have diverse memberships and diverse member views on matters of public policy. Dow endeavors to participate actively in the leadership of its key trade associations. However, we may from time to time find ourselves in disagreement with the prevailing views of the majority of the association's membership. It is our practice, and our preference, to work within the association policy process to assure that Dow's views are adequately communicated and represented in association policy, strategy and tactics. In all cases, any Dow position on a matter of public policy is the prevailing company position, irrespective of any trade association position to the contrary.
Dow has also developed partnerships with civic leagues and social welfare organizations2 that play an important role in public policy debates. These non-governmental organizations sometimes engage in advocacy-related activities, as well.
Dow receives information from trade and business associations as well as civic leagues and social welfare organizations in the U.S. regarding the portion of our dues or contributions that are used for lobbying expenses and political expenditures. We include this information in the aggregate in our quarterly lobbying activity reports filed with the U.S. Congress, as required by the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA)3. View Dow's LDA filings.
Below is a list of trade and business associations as well as civic leagues and social welfare organizations in the U.S. to which Dow contributes $50,000 or more annually, along with the portion of our dues or payments used for lobbying expenses or political expenditures (including special assessments or voluntary payments), as reported to us.
Trade Association Lobbying Expenditures for both Dow and Dow AgroSciences in 2012
| Organization | Amount4 |
|---|---|
| American Chemistry Council | $1,348,677 |
| American Seed Trade Assn | $13,710 |
| Biotechnology Industry Organization | $144,000 |
| Business Forward | $5,000 |
| Business Roundtable | $84,802 |
| Chlorine Institute | $3,779 |
| Coalition Against the Deceptive Food Labeling Scheme | $2,000,000 |
| CropLife America | $342,442 |
| Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce | $5,025 |
| Greater New Orleans, Inc. | $7,000 |
| Halogenated Solvents Industry Association | $25,899 |
| Louisiana Chemical Alliance | $32,678 |
| Michigan Alliance for Business Growth | $2,000,000 |
| Michigan Chamber of Commerce | $611,700 |
| National Association of Manufacturers | $38,400 |
| North American Insulation Manufacturers Association | $150,000 |
| North American Metal Packaging Alliance | $31,500 |
| Responsible Industry for Sound Environment | $48,325 |
| Ripon Society | $25,000 |
| Solar Energy Industry Association | $28,000 |
| Texas Chemical Council | $43,509 |
| US Chamber of Commerce | $2,925,000 |
| United Stated Council on International Business | $5,005 |
| Western Plant Health Association | $12,213 |
Revised: 05/09/2013
4These numbers are derived from tax information as reported to us