Sonova Holding AG – Lobbying Governance & Transparency

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Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Moderate	Sonova discloses a limited process to align its policy‐influencing activities with its climate change strategy, noting that “all our direct and indirect activities that influence policy are consistent with our overall strategy.” In particular, it explains that “engagements with trade associations and other groups are vetted by our investor relations and communication functions, so that prior to endorsing or contributing to policy opinions, alignment to company policies, principles, and activities is checked.” This demonstrates a concrete mechanism covering both direct and indirect lobbying alignment. However, the company does not disclose a named individual or formal body responsible for overseeing this lobbying alignment, nor does it describe any board‐level sign‐off, ongoing monitoring procedures beyond the functional vetting step, or a dedicated climate lobbying audit or report. We found no evidence of broader governance controls such as a climate‐lobbying review process, board sign‐off on lobbying positions, or criteria for assessing its trade association memberships for climate alignment. View Sources	C

Overall Assessment

Analysis

Score

Moderate

Sonova discloses a limited process to align its policy‐influencing activities with its climate change strategy, noting that “all our direct and indirect activities that influence policy are consistent with our overall strategy.” In particular, it explains that “engagements with trade associations and other groups are vetted by our investor relations and communication functions, so that prior to endorsing or contributing to policy opinions, alignment to company policies, principles, and activities is checked.” This demonstrates a concrete mechanism covering both direct and indirect lobbying alignment. However, the company does not disclose a named individual or formal body responsible for overseeing this lobbying alignment, nor does it describe any board‐level sign‐off, ongoing monitoring procedures beyond the functional vetting step, or a dedicated climate lobbying audit or report. We found no evidence of broader governance controls such as a climate‐lobbying review process, board sign‐off on lobbying positions, or criteria for assessing its trade association memberships for climate alignment.

View Sources

Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Limited	Sonova offers only limited insight into its climate-related lobbying. It lists indirect avenues such as membership in trade associations including the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA), the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) and other sector bodies, indicating that these forums could be used for engagement, but it does not explain how they are deployed in relation to climate policy or name any government departments, legislators or regulators it contacts. The disclosures contain no reference to any specific climate laws, regulations or policy proposals the company has tried to influence, nor do they identify any particular outcomes the company hopes to achieve or oppose. As a result, stakeholders receive only a minimal picture of Sonova’s climate lobbying activities, limited to the existence of trade-association memberships without detail on the policy focus, the targets of engagement or the objectives pursued.	D