EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 21, 2023--

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) has published its latest Citizenship Report, which provides a progress update on Mattel’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and goals.

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Mattel’s ESG strategy and goals are organized into three pillars: Sustainable Design and Development; Responsible Sourcing and Production; and Thriving and Inclusive Communities, representing the ESG areas where the company believes it can have the greatest impact.

Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, said: “This latest report reflects our ongoing commitment to be a responsible corporate citizen and our aim to contribute to a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future. On behalf of the entire leadership team at Mattel, we thank our dedicated employees around the world who make this continued progress possible, and our external stakeholders for their encouragement and support in this important area for the company.”

Progress highlights across the three ESG pillars and goals in 2022 include:

• Expanded the use of 30% post-industrial recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) to all window cartons and blister packs in 2022 1.
• Achieved 98.8% recycled or FSC Certified content in the paper and wood fiber used in our products and packaging, as validated by Preferred by Nature 2, exceeding our goal of 95%.
• Increased use of more sustainable materials for Matchbox products and packaging, including using at least 40% International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC 3 )-certified bio-circular plastic (mass balance approach 4 ) for Matchbox Action Drivers playsets.
• Designed more products for recyclability, including incorporating easy-to-remove and recycle electronic components into all Action Drivers playsets and Matchbox Recycling Trucks.
• Released the Dr. Jane Goodall Inspiring Women doll in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute. The doll comes in plastic-free windowless packaging, is made from recycled ocean-bound plastic 5, and is a certified CarbonNeutral® product 6 that was included among the TIME Magazine Best Inventions of 2022.
• Continued to prioritize the health and safety of our employees and retained a total recordable incident rate (TRIR 7 ) below industry average at our owned and/or -operated manufacturing facilities and distribution centers.
• Launched our internal GHG Reduction Roadmap, comprised of 25 core initiatives with various actions to help reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions.
• Maintained 100% base pay equity in 2022 for similar work performed in similar markets by gender globally and by ethnicity in the U.S. In addition, continued to achieve a high level of representation for women, who comprised 57% of the global non-manufacturing workforce and 50% of manager and senior manager positions in 2022. We also achieved a high level of representation for ethnically diverse employees, who made up 45% of U.S. employees in 2022 8.
• Recognized in 2022 for creating an outstanding workplace culture by Forbes: World’s Best Employers, Forbes: World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies, 50/50 Women on Boards, Fast Company: 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, Great Place to Work© Certified™, Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality, Seramount: 100 Best Companies, Newsweek: Most Trustworthy Companies in America, Healthiest Employers: Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America.
• Championed and pioneered purposeful play by introducing the Fisher-Price: Little PeopleInspiring Women Figure Set; Bruno, a neurodivergent role model in the Thomas & Friends series; American Girl historical character, Claudie Wells, an Icon for Harlem's History; the Hot Wheels RC Wheelz Stuntin’ Remote-Controlled Wheelchair, depicting extreme wheelchair athlete pro and Guinness World Record holder Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, and championing sports inclusivity; the first Barbie with a cochlear implant to reflect the experiences of consumers with hearing loss.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements, which are statements that relate to the future and are, by their nature, uncertain. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “looks forward,” “confident that,” “believes,” and “targeted,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial, economic, technological, and other information and assumptions that are subject to change in the future, as well as standards for measuring progress that are still in development and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Mattel’s control, could cause actual future results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, assumptions not being realized, evolving ESG strategies, legal or regulatory developments, scientific or technological developments, changes in carbon markets or energy prices, stakeholder engagement, or other changes in circumstances, as well as the risks and uncertainties as are described in Mattel’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of Mattel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as well as in Mattel’s other public statements. Mattel does not update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law.

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com.

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1 Versus most window cartons and blister packs in 2021.
2 Paper and wood fiber usage data for years reported on prior to 2022 was validated by the Rainforest Alliance. In 2023, the Rainforest Alliance transitioned its forestry, tourism, and agriculture certification activities to Preferred by Nature, a global nonprofit working to support land management and business practices that benefit people, nature, and the climate.
3 The ISCC is an organization that administers sustainability certifications for material feedstocks and markets on a global scale. The organization created a certification system that incorporates sustainability guiding principles, requirements for supply chain traceability, and chain of custody verification.
4 Mass balance approach refers to the process of combining bio- or plant-based or recycled materials with conventional fossil materials during the production process, resulting in a final product that combines both recycled and fossil-based virgin materials. For more information visit the ISCC website.
5 Doll plastic parts made from approximately 90% plastic sourced within 50 km of waterways in areas lacking formal waste collection systems; doll head and hair excluded.
6 Barbie Eco-Leadership Team and Barbie Inspiring Women Dr. Jane Goodall dolls are CarbonNeutral® products, certified by Climate Impact Partners, specialists in carbon market solutions for climate action. To achieve CarbonNeutral® product certification – which indicates a current state achieved when the net GHG emissions associated with an entity, product, or activity is zero for a defined duration – Mattel performed a third-party life cycle assessment and purchased carbon offsets (approximately 189 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents) from the Ghana Community Reforestation, Mississippi Valley Reforestation, and Australia Native Forest Restoration projects.
7 TRIR is expressed as the number of recordable incidents per 100 full-time workers during a one-year period and covers all Mattel employees, contingent workers, and independent contractors performing tasks on-site at Mattel-owned and/or -operated manufacturing facilities and distribution canters. The calculation is based on a total of 200,000 hours/year, which is the benchmark established by OSHA.
8 As of December 31; data covers employees, excluding manufacturing labor and temporary and seasonal employees.

MAT-SI

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921662754/en/

CONTACT: News Media

Amarilis Whitty

amarilis.Whitty@Mattel.com

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT TOYS OTHER RETAIL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FAMILY RECYCLING SUSTAINABILITY CONSUMER GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT ENVIRONMENT RETAIL CHILDREN ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG)

SOURCE: Mattel, Inc.

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PUB: 09/21/2023 04:00 PM/DISC: 09/21/2023 04:01 PM

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