The Ethisphere Institute named Fresenius Medical Care to Ethisphere’s second-annual World’s Most Ethical Companies list. Ethisphere, a think-tank dedicated to the research and promotion of profitable best practices in global governance, business ethics, compliance and corporate responsibility, revealed the award at the Ethisphere and Forbes joint-conference, “Driving Profit through Ethical Leadership,” held on June 3rd. The list of World’s Most Ethical companies will also be featured in the Q2 issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

Researchers and analysts reviewed over 10,000 of the world’s leading companies on six continents in order to determine the finalists, which included a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. The 2008 World’s Most Ethical Companies methodology committee is comprised of leading attorneys and government officials, professors and business leaders who care about ethical and honest business practices.

According to Ethisphere, Fresenius Medical Care is among the companies honored this year because Fresenius Medical Care has developed “impressive and meaningful ethical business practices, making it a true standout within its industry.” The Ethisphere analysts reviewed codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluated investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looked at companies’ activities to improve corporate citizenship; studied nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers; and worked with consumer action groups for feedback and rating.