BASF Corporation

BASF received a score of 100 on the 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2)(3). BASF received a score of 100 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (4)(5). The company promotes divisive sex and gender policies. Its Supplier Code of Conduct requires international vendors to include sexual orientation and gender identity in their nondiscrimination policy (6). However, the company has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (7).

BASF HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2)(3). BASF’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (4)(5). The company will not give to “faith-based organizations” (6).

BASF’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend at least one, controversial training on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (1)(2)(3). BASF’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend multiple, controversial trainings on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (4)(5). The company appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its supply chain. From its 2023 ESG Report: “In line with our strategy and our values we promote and value diversity, the sense of belonging and inclusion in our value chain. We have been involved in supplier diversity programs in North and South America for many years” (6). The company appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its leadership composition. From its Corporate Governance Report: “When making recommendations for appointments to the Board of Executive Directors, considers professional qualifications, international experience and leadership skills as well as long-term succession planning, diversity, and especially the appropriate consideration of women” (7). BASF does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (8).

BASF’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company potentially agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3). BASF’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (4)(5). BASF signed an open letter endorsing the Equality Act, a contentious proposal to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act by adding sexual orientation and so-called gender identity as protected categories. The legislation would, among other implications, grant biological men access to women-only spaces such as sports teams and public restrooms, and compel healthcare providers to deliver sex-denying healthcare (6). It was part of the Freedom for All Americans coalition, which advocated for federal legislation that would overrule state laws designed to protect girls’ sports and similar laws (7). The company opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which would prohibit teaching gender identity and sexual orientation to kids in K-3rd grade (8). BASF opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces (9). The company opposed legislation in Iowa intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces (10). The company is committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (11). The company is aligned with the Paris Agreement, which entails a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (12). The company supports DEI within its business practices. From its 2023 ESG Report: “BASF strives to foster an inclusive working environment with room for diversity and where people encounter mutual respect, trust and appreciation. We connect people with different backgrounds, views and perspectives on an equal footing. Promoting and valuing diversity across all hierarchical levels is an integral part of our strategy and is also embedded in our corporate values” (13). The company supports ESG within its business practices. From its 2023 ESG Report: “Together with our suppliers, we want to improve sustainability in the supply chain. Consequently, we require our suppliers to comply with the applicable laws in full and to adhere to internationally recognized environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards” (14). BASF SE is a member of Carbon Measures, an organization committed to “establishing a more accurate carbon accounting framework and driving market-based solutions to reduce emissions at the lowest cost” (15)(16). The company scored a 100 out of 100 on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group (17)(18).

BASF’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits, lab monitoring, and mental health benefits. The company also covers at least five of the following services: reconstructive hair removal, cosmetic hair removal, tracheal shave or reduction, facial surgeries, voice modification surgery, voice modification therapy, lipoplasty or filling for body masculinization or feminization, and travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, the company has potentially pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3)(4). BASF’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. Additionally, the company has pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (5)(6). BASF is a corporate partner of the NGLCC (7). The company is a member of the MCCA, indicating its focus on recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees based on race (8)(9). BASF sponsored the following 2x events in 2025: Pride Houston 365, Out! Raleigh Pride (10)(11). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of the company using corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (12).

BASF‘s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company publicly advocated for controversial sex and gender ideology through local, state or federal legislation or initiatives. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). In 2022, 2024, the company donated to Equality PAC (3)(4)(5). In 2021, 2022, the company lobbied for CLEAN Future Act (6)(7). In 2021, 2022, the company lobbied for Equality Act (8)(9)(10)(11). In 2022, the company lobbied for Clean Energy for America Act (12).