Company: BSX
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000885725-25-000011
Chunk: 41

Company: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 41
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In the U.S., federal and state privacy and security laws require certain parts of our operations to protect the confidentiality of personal information, including patient medical records and other health information, and to comply with other requirements with respect to personal data. In Europe, the Data Protection Directive requires us to manage individually identifiable information in the EU, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may impose fines of up to four percent of our global revenue. Internationally, some countries have also passed laws that require individually identifiable data on their citizens to be maintained on local servers and that may restrict transfer or processing of that data. Our product systems also require adherence to evolving regulatory standards and customer patterns and requirements worldwide. We strive to meet the expectations of applicable regulations, however, there is no guarantee that we will avoid enforcement actions by governmental bodies or civil actions based on this growing body of regulations. Enforcement actions could be costly and interrupt regular operations of our business, including related to market approvals of products and technologies. Any of these events, in turn, may cause us to lose existing customers, have difficulty preventing, detecting and controlling fraud, have disputes with customers, physicians and other health care professionals, be subject to legal claims and liability, have regulatory sanctions or penalties imposed, have increases in operating expenses, incur expenses or lose revenues as a result of a data privacy breach or theft of intellectual property, or suffer other adverse consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. 

Our business and operations are subject to risks related to climate change.

The effects of global climate change present risks to our business. Natural disasters, extreme weather and other conditions caused by or related to climate change could adversely impact our supply chain, including manufacturing and distribution networks, the availability and cost of raw materials and components, energy supply, transportation, or other inputs necessary for the operation of our business. Climate change and natural disasters could also result in physical damage to our facilities as well as those of our suppliers, customers, and other business partners, which could cause disruption in our business and operations or increase costs to operate our business. Increased environmental regulation, including to address climate change, as well as new disclosure and reporting requirements in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, including with respect to climate change and carbon emissions, may result in increases in our or our suppliers' compliance burdens and costs to operate our business, or restrict certain aspects of our activities. The extent and severity of climate change impacts are unknown, and therefore, the scope of potential impact on our