UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol |
Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered
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| Item 1.01. |
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
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| Item 2.03. |
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
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| Item 9.01 |
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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| Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit | |
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Omnibus Amendment, dated as of March 9, 2023, among Becton, Dickinson and Company and each of the financial institutions party thereto as dealer.*
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Dealer Agreement, dated March 9, 2023, among Becton, Dickinson and Company and each of the financial institutions party thereto as dealer.*
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104
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
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| BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY (Registrant) | ||
| By: |
/s/ Gary DeFazio
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Gary DeFazio | |
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Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary | |
| Date: March 10, 2023 | ||
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BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
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By:
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/s/ Gregory Rodetis
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Name:
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Gregory Rodetis
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Title:
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Senior Vice President & Treasurer
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[***]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[***]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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| 1. |
Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2015 (the “[***] Dealer Agreement”), by and between Becton,
Dickinson and Company and [***] (formerly known as [***].).
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| 2. |
Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2015 (the “[***] Dealer Agreement”), by and between
Becton, Dickinson and Company and [***].
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| 1. |
Offers, Sales and Resales of Notes.
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| 1.1 |
While (i) the Issuer has and shall have no obligation to sell the Notes to the Dealer or to permit the Dealer to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the Issuer, and (ii) the
Dealer has and shall have no obligation to purchase the Notes from the Issuer or to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the Issuer, the parties hereto agree that in any case where the Dealer purchases Notes from the Issuer, or
arranges for the sale of Notes by the Issuer, such Notes will be purchased or sold by the Dealer in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Issuer contained herein or made pursuant hereto and on the
terms and conditions and in the manner provided herein.
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| 1.2 |
So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, and in addition to the limitations contained in Section
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| 1.3 |
The Notes shall be in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will bear such interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at such
discount from their face amounts, as shall be agreed upon by the Dealer and the Issuer, shall have a maturity not exceeding 397 days from the date of issuance and may have such terms as are specified in Exhibit C hereto, the Private
Placement Memorandum, a pricing supplement or as otherwise agreed upon by the applicable purchaser and the Issuer. The Notes shall not contain any provision for extension, renewal or automatic “rollover.”
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| 1.4 |
The Issuer may from time to time increase the Maximum Amount by:
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| (a) |
giving at least 10 days' notice by letter substantially in the form set out in Exhibit E (the “Notification Letter for an
Increase in the Maximum Amount”) to the Dealer and to the Issuing and Paying Agent; and
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| (b) |
delivering to the Dealer the documents referred to in the Notification Letter for an Increase in the Maximum Amount, in each
case in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Dealer.
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The authentication and issuance of, and payment for, the Notes shall be effected in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and the Notes shall be either individual
physical certificates or book-entry notes evidenced by one or more master notes (each, a “Master Note”) registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee, in substantially the form or forms annexed hereto as
Exhibit D.
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If the Issuer and the Dealer shall agree on the terms of the purchase of any Note by the Dealer or the sale of any Note arranged by the Dealer (including, but not limited to, agreement
with respect to the date of issue, purchase price, principal amount, maturity and interest rate or interest rate index and margin (in the case of interest-bearing Notes) or discount thereof (in the case of Notes issued on a discount basis),
and appropriate compensation for the Dealer’s services hereunder pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer shall cause such Note to be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and payment for
such Note shall be made by the purchaser thereof, either directly or through the Dealer, to the Issuing and Paying Agent, for the account of the Issuer. Except as otherwise agreed, in the event that the Dealer is acting as an agent and a
purchaser shall either fail to accept delivery of or make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, the Dealer shall promptly notify the Issuer, and if the Dealer has theretofore paid the Issuer for the Note, the Issuer will
promptly return such funds to the Dealer against its return of the Note to the Issuer, in the case of a certificated Note, and upon notice of such failure in the case of a book-entry Note. If such failure occurred for any reason other than
default by the Dealer, the Issuer shall reimburse the Dealer on an equitable basis for the Dealer’s loss of the use of such funds for the period such funds were credited to the Issuer’s account.
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The Dealer and the Issuer hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection with offers, sales and subsequent resales or other transfers of the Notes:
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| (a) |
Offers and sales of the Notes by or through the Dealer shall be made only to: (i) investors reasonably believed by the Dealer to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or Institutional
Accredited Investors and (ii) non-bank fiduciaries or agents that will be purchasing Notes for one or more accounts, each of which is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be an Institutional Accredited Investor.
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| (b) |
Resales and other transfers of the Notes by the holders thereof shall be made only in accordance with the restrictions in the legend described in clause (e) below.
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| (c) |
No general solicitation or general advertising shall be used in connection with the offering of the Notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the prior written
approval of the Dealer (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Issuer shall not issue any press release or place or publish any “tombstone” or other advertisement relating to the Notes.
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| (d) |
No sale of Notes to any one purchaser shall be for less than $250,000 principal or face amount, and no Note shall be issued in a smaller principal or face amount. If the purchaser is a
non-bank fiduciary acting on behalf of others, each person for whom such purchaser is acting must purchase at least $250,000 principal or face amount of Notes.
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| (e) |
Offers and sales of the Notes by the Issuer through the Dealer acting as agent for the Issuer shall be subject to the restrictions described in the legend appearing on Exhibit A hereto.
A legend substantially to the effect of such Exhibit A shall appear as part of the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection with offers and sales of Notes hereunder, as well as on each individual certificate representing a Note and
each Master Note representing book-entry Notes offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement.
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| (f) |
To insure that potential purchasers of Notes have received the then-current Private Placement Memorandum prior to purchasing Notes, the Dealer shall furnish or shall have furnished to
each purchaser of Notes for which it has acted as the Dealer a copy of the then-current Private Placement Memorandum unless such purchaser has previously received a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum as then in effect. The Private
Placement Memorandum shall expressly state that any person to whom Notes are offered shall have an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive information from, the Issuer and the Dealer and shall provide the names, addresses and telephone
numbers of the persons from whom information regarding the Issuer may be obtained.
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| (g) |
The Issuer agrees, for the benefit of the Dealer and each of the holders and prospective purchasers from time to time of the Notes that, if at any time the Issuer shall not be subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Issuer will furnish, upon request and at its expense, to the Dealer and to holders and prospective purchasers of Notes information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) in compliance with Rule 144A(d).
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| (h) |
In the event that any Note offered or to be offered by the Dealer would be ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, the Issuer shall immediately notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed
in writing) of such fact and shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Dealer an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum describing the Notes that are ineligible, the reason for such ineligibility and any other relevant
information relating thereto.
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| (i) |
The Issuer represents that it is currently issuing, and expects to continue to issue, commercial paper in the United States market in reliance upon, and in compliance with, the exemption
provided by Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act. In that connection, the Issuer agrees that (a) the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be segregated from the proceeds of the sale of any such commercial paper by being placed in a
separate account; (b) the Issuer will institute appropriate corporate procedures to ensure that the offers and sales of notes issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Section 3(a)(3) exemption are not integrated with offerings and sales of
Notes hereunder; and (c) the Issuer will comply with each of the requirements of Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act in selling commercial paper or other short-term debt securities other than the Notes in the United States.
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The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Dealer, in connection with offers, sales and resales of Notes, as follows:
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| (a) |
The Issuer hereby confirms to the Dealer that (except as permitted by Section
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| (b) |
The Issuer represents and agrees that, except as the Dealer is otherwise notified by the Issuer, the proceeds of the sale of the Notes are not currently contemplated to be used for the
purpose of buying, carrying or trading securities within the meaning of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In the event that the Issuer determines to use such proceeds
for the purpose of buying, carrying or trading securities, whether in connection with an acquisition of another company or otherwise, the Issuer shall give the Dealer at least five business days’ prior written notice to that effect. The
Issuer shall also give the Dealer prompt notice of the actual date that it commences to purchase securities with the proceeds of the Notes. Thereafter, in the event that the Dealer purchases Notes as principal and does not resell such
Notes on the day of such purchase, to the extent necessary to comply with Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder, the Dealer will sell such Notes either (i) only to offerees it reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional
Buyers or to Qualified Institutional Buyers it reasonably believes are acting for other Qualified Institutional Buyers, in each case in accordance with Rule 144A or (ii) in a manner which would not cause a violation of Regulation T and the
interpretations thereunder.
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| 2. |
Representations and Warranties of Issuer.
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| 2.1 |
The Issuer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all the requisite power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.
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| 2.2 |
This Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
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| 2.3 |
The Notes have been duly authorized, and when issued as provided in the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
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| 2.4 |
The offer and sale of the Notes in the manner contemplated hereby do not require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption from registration contained
in Section 4(a)(2) thereof, and no indenture in respect of the Notes is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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| 2.5 |
The Notes will rank at least pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer.
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| 2.6 |
No consent or action of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or public regulatory body or authority, including the SEC, is required to authorize, or is otherwise required in
connection with the execution, delivery or performance of, this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, except as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer
and sale of the Notes.
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| 2.7 |
Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement,
nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by the Issuer, will (i) result in the creation or imposition of any mortgage, lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the
properties or assets of the Issuer, or (ii) violate or result in a breach or a default under any of the terms of the Issuer’s charter documents or by-laws, any contract or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it or its
property is bound, or any law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or government instrumentality, to which the Issuer is subject or by which it or its property is bound, which breach or default is reasonably
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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| 2.8 |
Except as otherwise disclosed in any filings made by the Issuer with the SEC, there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the Issuer threatened,
against or affecting the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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| 2.9 |
The Issuer is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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| 2.10 |
Neither the Private Placement Memorandum nor the Company Information contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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| 2.11 |
Neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of its respective directors, officers or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, employees, agents, advisors or Affiliates is the subject
of any sanctions or economic embargoes administered or enforced by the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, the European Union, the respective institutions or agencies of any of the foregoing, or any other applicable
sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”, and the associated laws, rules, regulations and orders, collectively, “Sanctions Law”).
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| 2.12 |
Neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of its respective directors, officers or employees or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, agents, advisors or Affiliates acting for or
on behalf of the Issuer has engaged in any activity or conduct which would constitute a material violation of (x) any Sanctions Laws, (y) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any other applicable
anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, rules, regulations or orders (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”) or (z) the USA PATRIOT Act or any other applicable terrorism or
money laundering laws, rules, regulations or orders (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”).
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| 2.13 |
Each of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates have instituted and maintained policies, procedures and a system of internal controls designed to promote and achieve compliance
with all Sanctions Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, and Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
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| 2.14 |
No part of the proceeds of the Notes will be used, directly or indirectly, (x) for the purpose of financing any activities or business of or with any Person that at such time is the
subject of any Sanctions, with or in any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the subject of any Sanctions, or in any other manner that reasonably would be expected to result in the Issuer or any Dealer being
in breach of any Sanctions Laws, (y) for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to
obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law, or (z) in any way that would violate the USA PATRIOT Act or any Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
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| 2.15 |
Each (a) issuance of Notes by the Issuer hereunder and (b) amendment or supplement of the Private Placement Memorandum shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Issuer to the
Dealer, as of the date thereof, that, both before and after giving effect to such issuance and after giving effect to such amendment or supplement, (i) the representations and warranties given by the Issuer set forth in this Section 2
remain true and correct on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, (ii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, the Notes being issued on such date have been duly and validly issued and constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, since the date of the most recent Private Placement Memorandum, there has been no Material
Adverse Effect, which, if not publicly available, has not been disclosed to the Dealer in writing.
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| 3. |
Covenants and Agreements of Issuer.
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| 3.1 |
The Issuer will give the Dealer prompt notice (but in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder) of any amendment to, modification of or waiver with respect to, the
Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, including a complete copy of any such amendment, modification or waiver.
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| 3.2 |
The Issuer shall, whenever there shall occur any change in the Issuer’s condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business prospects or any development or occurrence in relation
to the Issuer that would have a Material Adverse Effect, promptly, and in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder, notify the Dealer (by telephone, confirmed in writing) of such change, development or occurrence.
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| 3.3 |
The Issuer shall from time to time furnish to the Dealer such information as the Dealer may reasonably request, including, without limitation, any press releases or material provided by
the Issuer to any national securities exchange or rating agency, regarding (i) the Issuer’s operations and financial condition, (ii) the due authorization and execution of the Notes and (iii) the Issuer’s ability to pay the Notes as they
mature; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure of such information
shall not be reasonably likely to cause the Issuer to be in violation of any applicable law or otherwise violate the terms of any confidentiality agreement.
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| 3.4 |
The Issuer will take all such action as the Dealer may reasonably request to ensure that each offer and each sale of the Notes will comply with any applicable state Blue Sky laws;
provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or subject itself to taxation in respect
of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
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| 3.5 |
The Issuer will not be in default of any of its obligations hereunder, under the Notes or under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, at any time that any of the Notes are outstanding.
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| 3.6 |
The Issuer shall not issue Notes hereunder until the Dealer shall have received (a) an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, addressed to the Dealer, satisfactory in form and substance to the
Dealer, (b) a copy of the executed Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement as then in effect, (c) a copy of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer, satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer and certified by the
Secretary or similar officer of the Issuer, authorizing execution and delivery by the Issuer of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and the Notes and consummation by the Issuer of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, (d) prior to the issuance of any book-entry Notes represented by a master note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, a copy of the executed Letter of Representations among the Issuer, the Issuing and Paying Agent and DTC
and of the executed master note, (e) prior to the issuance of any Notes in physical form, a copy of such form (unless attached to this Agreement or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement) and (f) such other certificates, opinions, letters
and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested.
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| 3.7 |
The Issuer will ensure that on the issuance date of any Notes, the aggregate U.S. Dollar principal amount of all Notes then
outstanding (whether sold through the Dealer or other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof) and all ECP Notes then outstanding shall not exceed the Maximum Amount. For the purposes of calculating the principal amount outstanding,
(i) the nominal amount of any Index-Linked Note (including any ECP Index-Linked Notes) shall be deemed to be its principal amount for this purpose and (ii) in relation to any ECP Note denominated or to be denominated in a currency other
than U.S. Dollars on any day, its principal amount shall be taken as the amount in U.S. Dollars which would be required to purchase the principal amount of such ECP Note as expressed in such other currency, which shall be determined at
the spot rate of exchange for the purchase of such other currency with U.S. Dollars quoted by the Issuing and Paying Agent at or about 11.00 a.m., New York City time, on such day.
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| 4. |
Disclosure.
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| 4.1 |
The Private Placement Memorandum and its contents (other than the Dealer Information) shall be the sole responsibility of the Issuer. The Private Placement Memorandum shall contain a
statement expressly offering an opportunity for each prospective purchaser to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Issuer concerning the offering of Notes and to obtain relevant additional information which the Issuer possesses
or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense.
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| 4.2 |
The Issuer agrees to promptly furnish the Dealer the Company Information as it becomes available.
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| 4.3 |
(a) The Issuer further agrees to notify the Dealer promptly upon the occurrence of any event relating to or affecting the Issuer that would cause the Company Information then in
existence to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
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(b) In the event that the Issuer gives
the Dealer notice pursuant to Section 4.3(a) and the Dealer notifies the Issuer that it then has Notes it is holding in inventory, the Issuer agrees promptly to supplement or amend the Private Placement Memorandum so that the Private
Placement Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, and the Issuer shall make such supplement or amendment available to the Dealer.
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(c) In the event that (i) the Issuer gives
the Dealer notice pursuant to Section 4.3(a), (ii) the Dealer does not notify the Issuer that it is then holding Notes in inventory and (iii) the Issuer chooses not to promptly amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum in the
manner described in clause (b) above, then all solicitations and sales of Notes shall be suspended until such time as the Issuer has so amended or supplemented the Private Placement Memorandum, and made such amendment or supplement
available to the Dealer.
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(d) Without limiting the generality of
Section 4.3(a), the Issuer shall review, amend and supplement the Private Placement Memorandum on a periodic basis, but no less than at least once annually, to incorporate current financial information of the Issuer to the extent necessary to ensure that the information provided in the Private Placement Memorandum is accurate and complete.
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5.
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Indemnification and Contribution.
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| 5.1 |
The Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Dealer, any affiliate of the Dealer
or any such controlling entity and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, trustees and agents (hereinafter the “Indemnitees”) against any and all liabilities, penalties, suits,
causes of action, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel) or judgments of whatever kind or nature (each a “Claim”), imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the
Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Private Placement Memorandum, the Company Information or any written information provided by the Issuer to the Dealer included (as of any relevant time) or includes an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted (as of any relevant time) or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) arising
out of or based upon the breach by the Issuer of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnification shall not apply to the extent that (a) the Claim arises out of or is based upon Dealer
Information or (b) only with respect to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, to the extent that the Claim arises out of or is based upon an Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
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| 5.2 |
Provisions relating to claims made for indemnification under this Section 5 are set forth on Exhibit B to this Agreement.
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| 5.3 |
In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is held to be unavailable or insufficient to hold
harmless the Indemnitees, although applicable in accordance with the terms of this Section 5, the Issuer shall contribute to the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer in connection with any Claim in the proportion of the respective
economic interests of the Issuer and the Dealer; provided, however, that such contribution by the Issuer shall be in an amount such that the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer do not exceed the aggregate of the commissions and fees
earned by the Dealer hereunder with respect to the issue or issues of Notes to which such Claim relates. The respective economic interests shall be calculated by reference to the aggregate proceeds to the Issuer of the Notes issued
hereunder and the aggregate commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder.
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6.
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Definitions.
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| 6.1 |
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| 6.2 |
“BHC Act Affiliate” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12
U.S.C. § 1841(k).
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“Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
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“Company Information” at any given time shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum and information incorporated by reference therein together with, to the extent applicable, (i) the
Issuer’s most recent report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and each report on Form 10-Q or 8-K filed by the Issuer with the SEC since the most recent Form 10-K, (ii) the Issuer’s most recent annual audited financial statements and each
interim quarterly financial statement or report prepared subsequent thereto, if not included in item (i) above, (iii) the Issuer’s and its affiliates’ other publicly available recent reports, including, but not limited to, any publicly
available filings or reports provided to their respective shareholders, (iv) any other information or disclosure prepared pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof and (v) any information prepared or approved by the Issuer for dissemination to
investors or potential investors in the Notes.
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| 6.5 |
“Covered Entity” shall mean any of the following:
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| (i) | a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); |
| (ii) | a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or |
| 6.6 | (iii) | a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). |
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“Dealer Information” shall mean material concerning the Dealer provided by the Dealer in writing expressly for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum.
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| 6.8 |
“Default Right” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§
252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
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| 6.9 |
“ECP Dealer Agreement” shall mean any commercial paper dealer agreement pursuant to which the Issuer (or an affiliate of the
Issuer) issues short-term commercial paper notes as part of a euro-commercial paper program in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws under Regulation S promulgated
under the Securities Act.
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| 6.10 |
“ECP Note” shall mean a commercial paper note issued by the
Issuer (or an affiliate of the Issuer) that is purchased or placed, or to be purchased or placed, by a dealer under an ECP Dealer Agreement.
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“Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
|
“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
|
| 6.13 |
“Index-Linked Note” shall mean a commercial paper note, the redemption or coupon amount of which is not fixed at the time of
issue, but which is to be calculated in accordance with such formula or other arrangement, as is agreed between the Issuer and the Dealer at the time of reaching agreement under Section 1.6 in the case of Notes issued pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement.
|
|
“Institutional Accredited Investor” shall mean an institutional investor that is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that has such knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes, including, but not limited to, a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or a
savings and loan association or other institution, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity.
|
|
“Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement” shall mean the
|
|
“Issuing and Paying Agent” shall mean the party designated as such on the cover page of this Agreement, or any successor thereto or replacement thereof, as issuing and paying agent under the Issuing and Paying
|
|
“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on (i) the business, operations or financial condition of the Issuer and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii) the
ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.
|
| 6.18 |
“Maximum Amount” shall mean the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding at any time when aggregated with the
principal amount of ECP Notes then outstanding, which total amount shall not exceed U.S.$2,750,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) unless such amount has been increased by the Issuer in accordance with Section 1.4 hereof.
|
|
“Non-bank fiduciary or agent” shall mean a fiduciary or agent other than (a) a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or (b) a savings and loan association, as defined
in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act.
|
|
“Person”
|
|
“Private Placement Memorandum” shall mean offering materials prepared in accordance with Section 4 (including materials referred to therein or incorporated by reference therein, if any)
provided to purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Notes, and shall include amendments and supplements thereto which may be prepared from time to time in accordance with this Agreement (other than any amendment or supplement that has
been completely superseded by a later amendment or supplement).
|
|
“Qualified Institutional Buyer” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
|
|
“Rule 144A” shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
|
|
“SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
“Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
|
“Subsidiary”
|
| 6.27 |
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” shall mean each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated
thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
|
|
7.
|
General
|
| 7.1 |
Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices under this Agreement to parties hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective when received at the address of the respective
party set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement.
|
| 7.2 |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.
|
| 7.3 |
The Issuer agrees that any suit, action or proceeding brought by the Issuer against the Dealer in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the Notes or the offer and sale of
the Notes shall be brought solely in the United States federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan or the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan. EACH OF THE DEALER AND THE ISSUER WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
|
| 7.4 |
This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, by the Issuer, upon one business day’s prior notice to such effect to the Dealer, or by the Dealer upon one business day’s prior notice to
such effect to the Issuer. Any such termination, however, shall not affect the obligations of the Issuer under Sections 3.7, 5 and 7.3 hereof or the respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, rights or responsibilities
of the parties made or arising prior to the termination of this Agreement.
|
| 7.5 |
This Agreement is not assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other party; provided, however, with reasonably prompt notice to the Issuer, the Dealer may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any affiliate of the Dealer.
|
| 7.6 |
This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
|
| 7.7 |
This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever.
|
| 7.8 |
The Issuer acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Issuer, on the one hand,
and the Dealer, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction the Dealer is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Issuer, (iii) the Dealer has not assumed an
advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Issuer with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Dealer has advised or is currently advising the Issuer on other
matters) or any other obligation to the Issuer except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iv) the Issuer has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Issuer agrees that
it will not claim that the Dealer has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Issuer, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
|
| 7.9 |
The parties hereto agree that the Issuer may, in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.9, from time to time replace the party which is then acting as Issuing and Paying Agent (the
“Current Issuing and Paying Agent”) with another party (such other party, the “Replacement Issuing and Paying Agent”), and enter into an agreement with the Replacement Issuing and Paying Agent covering the provision of issuing and paying
agency functions in respect of the Notes by the Replacement Issuing and Paying Agent (the “Replacement Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement”) (any such replacement, a “Replacement”).
|
| 7.10 |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that:
|
|
(a) In the event that the Dealer is a Covered Entity and becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from the
Dealer of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such
interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
|
|
(b) In the event that the Dealer is a Covered Entity and the Dealer, or a BHC Act Affiliate of the Dealer, becomes subject to a proceeding under a
U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against the Dealer are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special
Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
|
|
Becton, Dickinson and Company, as Issuer
|
[DEALER], as Dealer
|
||||
|
By:
|
/s/ John Gallagher |
By:
|
|||
|
Name:
|
John Gallagher |
Name:
|
|||
|
Title:
|
Vice President, Corporate Finance |
Title:
|
| 1. |
The other dealer referred to in clause (b) of Section 1.2 of the Agreement is [OTHER DEALERS].
|
| 2. |
The addresses of the respective parties for purposes of notices under Section 7.1 are as follows:
|
| (a) |
The Issuer agrees to reimburse each Indemnitee for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of internal and external counsel) as they are incurred by it in connection
with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 5 of the Agreement (whether or not it is a party to any such proceedings).
|
| (b) |
Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the existence of a Claim, such Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Issuer, notify the Issuer in
writing of the existence thereof; provided that (i) the omission so to notify the Issuer will not relieve the Issuer from any liability which it may have hereunder unless and except to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such Claim and
such failure results in the forfeiture by the Issuer of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) the omission so to notify the Issuer will not relieve it from liability which it may have to an Indemnitee otherwise than on account of this
indemnity agreement. In case any such Claim is made against any Indemnitee and it notifies the Issuer of the existence thereof, the Issuer will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice
delivered to the Indemnitee, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee; provided that if the defendants in any such Claim include both the Indemnitee and the Issuer, and the Indemnitee shall have
concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer, the Issuer shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Claim on behalf of such Indemnitee, and
the Indemnitee shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses on behalf of such Indemnitee. Upon receipt of notice from the Issuer to such Indemnitee of the Issuer’s election so to assume the defense of such
Claim and approval by the Indemnitee of counsel, the Issuer will not be liable to such Indemnitee for expenses incurred thereafter by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation)
unless (i) the Indemnitee shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the Issuer shall not be
liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel in the jurisdiction in which any Claim is brought), approved by the Dealer, representing the Indemnitee who is party to such Claim), (ii) the Issuer
shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee to represent the Indemnitee within a reasonable time after notice of existence of the Claim or (iii) the Issuer has authorized in writing the employment of counsel
for the Indemnitee. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of the Issuer hereunder shall be in addition to any other liability the Issuer may otherwise have to an Indemnitee and shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Issuer and any Indemnitee. The Issuer agrees that without the Dealer’s prior written consent, it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment in any Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought under the indemnification provision of the Agreement (whether or not the Dealer or any other Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such
settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such Claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act, by
or on behalf of any Indemnitee.
|
| D x 360 | ||
|
Money Market Yield =
|
x 100 | |
| 360 - (D x M) |
| D x N | ||
|
Bond Equivalent Yield =
|
x 100 | |
| 360 - (D x M) |
| (a) |
a certificate from a duly authorized officer of the Issuer confirming that no changes have been made to the constitutional or
organizational documents of the Issuer since the date a certified copy thereof was most recently delivered to the Dealer or, if there has been such a change, a certified copy of the constitutional or organizational documents currently in
force;
|
| (b) |
certified copies of all documents evidencing the internal authorization and approval required for such an increase in the
Maximum Amount;
|
| (c) |
legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Dealer from internal or external counsel of the Issuer as to (i) the due
authorization, validity and enforceability of the Notes issued pursuant to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and (ii) such other matters as the Dealer may reasonably request, in each case after giving effect to the increase in the
Maximum Amount;
|
| (d) |
a certificate setting forth the names, titles and specimen signatures of the persons authorized to sign on behalf of the Issuer
all notices and other documents to be delivered in connection with such an increase in the Maximum Amount to the extent such persons are different than those set forth in prior certificates delivered by the Issuer;
|
| (e) |
evidence from each nationally recognized statistical rating organization providing a rating of the Notes either (A) that such
rating has been confirmed after giving effect to the increase in the Maximum Amount or (B) setting forth any change in the rating of the Notes after giving effect to the increase in the Maximum Amount;
|
| (f) |
an updated or supplemental Private Placement Memorandum reflecting the increase in the Maximum Amount of the Program; and
|
| (g) |
such other certificates, opinions, letters and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested.
|
|
Yours faithfully,
|
||
|
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
|
||
|
By:
|
||
|
Name:
|
||
|
Title:
|
||
|
CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP
|
|
CONTENTS
|
|
|
Clause
|
Page
|
|
1.
|
Interpretation
|
1
|
|
2.
|
Issue
|
4
|
|
3.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
8
|
|
4.
|
Conditions Precedent
|
12
|
|
5.
|
Covenants and Agreements
|
13
|
|
6.
|
Obligations of the Dealers
|
18
|
|
7.
|
Termination and Appointment
|
18
|
|
8.
|
Calculation agent
|
20
|
|
9.
|
Status of the Dealers and the Arranger
|
20
|
|
10.
|
Notices
|
20
|
|
11.
|
Partial Invalidity
|
22
|
|
12.
|
Remedies and Waivers
|
22
|
|
13.
|
Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes
|
22
|
|
14.
|
Counterparts
|
23
|
|
15.
|
Rights of Third Parties
|
23
|
|
16.
|
Governing Law
|
23
|
|
17.
|
Submission to Jurisdiction
|
23
|
|
Schedule 1 Condition Precedent Documents
|
25
|
|
|
Schedule 2 Selling Restrictions
|
27
|
|
|
Schedule 3 Notification Letter for an Increase in the Maximum Amount
|
30
|
|
|
Schedule 4 Dealer Accession Letter
|
32
|
|
|
Schedule 5 Form of Calculation Agency Agreement
|
34
|
|
| (1) |
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY (the "Issuer");
|
| (2) |
[***] as arranger (the "Arranger"); and
|
| (3) |
[***] and [***] (the "Original Dealers").
|
| 1. |
INTERPRETATION
|
| 1.1 |
Definitions
|
| (a) |
the Information Memorandum (including all documents and information that have been incorporated by reference therein as set out under the heading "Documents Incorporated By Reference"); and
|
| (b) |
any other document delivered by the Issuer to a Dealer which the Issuer has expressly authorised in writing to be distributed to actual or potential purchasers of Notes.
|
| (a) |
in relation to any Dollar Note, the nominal amount of such Note; and
|
| (b) |
in relation to any Note denominated or to be denominated in any other currency, the amount in Dollars which would be required to purchase the nominal amount of such Note as expressed in such other currency at the spot rate of exchange for
the purchase of such other currency with Dollars quoted by the Agent at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on such day;
|
| (a) |
an entity of which a person has direct or indirect control or owns directly or indirectly more than 50 per cent. of the voting capital or similar right of ownership and "control" for this purpose means the power to direct the management
and the policies of the entity whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise; or
|
| (b) |
an entity whose financial statements are, in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting principles, consolidated with those of another person.
|
| 1.2 |
Construction
|
| 1.2.1 |
In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to:
|
| (a) |
a provision of a law is a reference to that provision as amended, extended, applied or re-enacted and includes any subordinate legislation;
|
| (b) |
a Clause or a Schedule is a reference to a clause of or a schedule to this Agreement;
|
| (c) |
a person includes any individual, company, corporation, unincorporated association or body (including a partnership, trust, joint venture or consortium), government, state, agency, organisation or any other entity whether or not having
separate legal personality, and references to any person shall include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees;
|
| (d) |
assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;
|
| (e) |
an authorisation includes any authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration;
|
| (f) |
a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, inter-governmental or supranational body, agency, department or authority; and
|
| (g) |
any Programme Agreement or other document is a reference to that Programme Agreement or other document as amended, novated, restated, superseded or supplemented.
|
| 1.2.2 |
The index to and the headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
|
| 2. |
ISSUE
|
| 2.1 |
Appointment of Dealers
|
| 2.2 |
The Uncommitted Programme
|
| 2.2.1 |
The Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Notes, and a Dealer shall not be under any obligation to subscribe for or procure the subscription for any Notes, until such time as an agreement for a Note Transaction has been
reached between the Issuer and that Dealer.
|
| 2.2.2 |
Each of the Issuer and the Dealers agree that solely by virtue of appointment as Arranger or Dealer, as applicable, on this Programme, neither the Arranger nor the Dealers nor any of their respective affiliates will be a manufacturer for
the purpose of Chapter 3.2 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook.
|
| 2.2.3 |
Each of the Issuer and the Dealers agree that solely by virtue of appointment as Arranger or Dealer, as applicable, on this Programme, neither the Arranger nor the Dealers nor any of their respective affiliates will be a manufacturer for
the purpose of EU Delegated Directive 2017/593.
|
| 2.2.4 |
The Issuer has determined and hereby notifies the Dealers, that all Notes issued or to be issued under the Programme are "prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations
2018).
|
| 2.3 |
Issue of Notes
|
| 2.3.1 |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Issuer may issue Notes to any of the Dealers from time to time at such prices and upon such terms as the Issuer and the relevant Dealer may agree. The Issuer acknowledges that the Dealers may
resell Notes subscribed for by such Dealers.
|
| 2.3.2 |
Each issue of Notes having the same Issue Date, Maturity Date, currency and denominations, yield and redemption basis will be represented by one or more Global Notes or by Definitive Notes having the aggregate principal amount of such
issue as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer. A Global Note will only be exchangeable into Definitive Notes in the circumstances set out in the Global Note.
|
| 2.3.3 |
The tenor of each Note shall not be less than one day nor greater than 183 days, with that tenor being calculated from (and including) the issue date to (but excluding) the maturity date of that Note.
|
| 2.3.4 |
Global Notes and Definitive Notes (if any) shall be issued in the following denominations (or integral multiples thereof):
|
| (a) |
for Australian Dollar Notes, AUD 1,000,000;
|
| (b) |
for Canadian Dollar Notes, CAD 500,000;
|
| (c) |
for euro Notes, €500,000;
|
| (d) |
for Hong Kong Dollar Notes, HKD 2,000,000;
|
| (e) |
for New Zealand Dollar Notes, NZD 1,000,000;
|
| (f) |
for Renminbi Notes, CNY 1,000,000;
|
| (g) |
for Sterling Notes, £100,000;
|
| (h) |
for Swiss Franc Notes, CHF 500,000;
|
| (i) |
for U.S.Dollar Notes, U.S.$500,000; or
|
| (j) |
for Yen Notes, Yen 100,000,000,
|
| 2.3.5 |
The aggregate amount of Notes outstanding at any time, when aggregated with the aggregate principal amount of securities outstanding under the US Programme, will not exceed the Maximum Amount. For the purposes of calculating the Maximum
Amount of Notes issued under this Agreement, the principal amount of any outstanding Note denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be taken as the Dollar Equivalent of such principal amount as at the Issue Date of the Notes then
to be issued.
|
| 2.4 |
Agreements for Note Transactions
|
| 2.4.1 |
the Issuer shall instruct the Agent to issue that Note and deliver it in accordance with the terms of the Agency Agreement;
|
| 2.4.2 |
the relevant Dealer shall pay the subscription price of such Note on the issue date:
|
| (a) |
in the case of a euro Note, by transfer of same-day funds settled through the TARGET2 System to such euro account as the Agent shall from time to time have specified for this purpose; or
|
| (b) |
in the case of a Sterling Note, by transfer of same-day funds to the Sterling account in London as the Agent shall from time to time have specified for this purpose; or
|
| (c) |
in the case of a Dollar Note, by transfer of funds settled through the New York Clearing House Interbank Payments System (or such other same day value funds as at the time shall be customary for the settlement in New York City of
international banking transactions denominated in Dollars) to the account in New York denominated in Dollars as the Agent shall from time to time have specified for this purpose; or
|
| (d) |
in all other cases, by transfer of freely transferable same day funds in the relevant currency to the account of the Agent at such bank in the applicable jurisdiction for such currency as the Agent may from time to time have specified for
this purpose; and
|
| 2.4.3 |
the relevant Dealer shall notify the Agent and the Issuer of the payment and delivery instructions applicable to such Note in accordance with prevailing market practice and in sufficient time to enable the Agent to deliver such Note(s) (or
make the same available for collection) on the relevant issue date.
|
| 2.5 |
Failure to issue
|
| 2.6 |
Optional currencies
|
| 2.6.1 |
it being lawful and in compliance with all requirements of any relevant central bank and any other relevant fiscal, monetary, regulatory or other authority from time to time, for deposits to be made in such currency and for such Note to be
issued, offered for sale, sold and delivered as contemplated by such Note Transaction;
|
| 2.6.2 |
such other currency being freely transferable and freely convertible into Dollars;
|
| 2.6.3 |
the consent of the Agent to that currency having been given; and
|
| 2.6.4 |
any appropriate amendments which the relevant Dealer and/or the Issuer shall require having been made to this Agreement and any appropriate amendments which the Issuer and/or the Agent shall require having been made to the Agency
Agreement.
|
| 2.7 |
Increase in Maximum Amount
|
| 2.7.1 |
giving at least 10 days' notice by letter in substantially the form of Schedule 3 (Notification Letter for an Increase in the Maximum Amount) to each Dealer and to the Agent; and
|
| 2.7.2 |
delivering to each Dealer with that letter the documents referred to in that letter, in each case in form and substance acceptable to each Dealer.
|
| 2.8 |
Global Notes and Definitive Notes
|
| 2.8.1 |
Each Note issued will be represented initially by one or more Global Notes.
|
| 2.8.2 |
Global Notes will be exchangeable, in accordance with their terms, for Definitive Notes only upon default by the Issuer in the payment of any amount payable in respect of the Notes represented by such Global Notes or if one or both of
Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other relevant Clearing System in which the relevant Global Note is held is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days or more (other than by reason of weekends or public holidays,
statutory or otherwise) or if any such Clearing System announces an intention to, or does in fact, permanently cease to do business.
|
| 3. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
| 3.1 |
Representations and warranties
|
| 3.2 |
Status
|
| 3.3 |
Powers and authority
|
| 3.4 |
Binding obligations
|
| 3.5 |
Authorisations
|
| 3.5.1 |
to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under, the Notes and Programme Agreements; and
|
| 3.5.2 |
to make the Programme Agreements and Notes admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation,
|
| 3.6 |
Non-conflict
|
| 3.6.1 |
the constitutional documents of the Issuer; or
|
| 3.6.2 |
any law or regulation applicable to the Issuer; or
|
| 3.6.3 |
any agreement or instrument by which the Issuer or any of its assets are bound which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business, management or affairs of
the Issuer and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under the Notes and the Programme Agreements.
|
| 3.7 |
Ranking
|
| 3.8 |
Disclosure Documents
|
| 3.8.1 |
In the context of the Programme Agreements and the transactions contemplated by the Programme Agreements, the information contained or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Documents is true and accurate in all material aspects and
not misleading in any material respect and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
|
| 3.8.2 |
Any statements of intention, opinion, belief or expectation contained in the Disclosure Documents are, or will be at the date of its publication, honestly and reasonably made by the Issuer.
|
| 3.9 |
Financial information
|
| 3.9.1 |
were prepared in accordance with the requirements of applicable law and with generally accepted accounting principles in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Issuer and are consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and
|
| 3.9.2 |
fairly represent, in all material respects, the financial condition and operations of the Issuer as at the date to which they were prepared.
|
| 3.10 |
Adverse change and litigation
|
| 3.10.1 |
there has been no adverse change in the business, financial or other condition or prospects of any member of the Group since the date of the most recently published audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer; and
|
| 3.10.2 |
there is no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened against or affecting any member of the Group,
|
| 3.11 |
No default
|
| 3.12 |
No withholding tax
|
| 3.13 |
Maximum Amount
|
| 3.14 |
Anti-Bribery
|
| 3.15 |
Sanctions
|
| 3.16 |
Money Laundering Laws
|
| 3.17 |
Policies and procedures
|
| 3.18 |
United States Investment Company Act
|
| 3.19 |
U.S. selling restrictions
|
| (a) |
that neither it, nor any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")), nor any person (other than the Dealers, as to whom no
representation or warranty is made) acting on its behalf or on behalf of any of its affiliates, has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation
S")) in the United States with respect to any Notes; and
|
| (b) |
that it, its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) and any person (other than the Dealers, as to whom no representation or warranty is made) acting on its behalf or on behalf of any of its affiliates, have complied
and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S under the Securities Act; and
|
| (c) |
that it is a domestic issuer that is a reporting issuer (as such terms are defined in Regulation S) and that it will not offer or sell, nor solicit offers to buy, securities under circumstances that would require registration of the Notes
under the Securities Act.
|
| 3.20 |
Times for making representations and warranties
|
| 3.20.1 |
are made on the date of this Agreement; and
|
| 3.20.2 |
are deemed to be repeated on each date upon which the Maximum Amount is increased, each date a Note Transaction is agreed and each date upon which any Note is, or is to be, in each case issued by reference to the facts and circumstances
then existing.
|
| 3.21 |
Notice of inaccuracy
|
| 4. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
|
| 4.1 |
Conditions precedent
|
| 4.2 |
Further conditions precedent
|
| 4.2.1 |
the representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in Clause 3 (Representations and warranties) being true and correct:
|
| (a) |
on each date upon which an agreement for a Note Transaction is made; and
|
| (b) |
on each date on which Notes are issued,
|
| 4.2.2 |
there being no breach as at the issue date of those Notes in the performance of the obligations of the Issuer under any of the Programme Agreements or any Note;
|
| 4.2.3 |
except as disclosed in any Disclosure Document issued before the date upon which an agreement for a Note Transaction is made, no Rating Agency having, in respect of any short-term debt securities of the Issuer issued any notice downgrading
such securities or put any such rating on its "Creditwatch" list or other similar publication of formal review (including a notice confirming a change of outlook), in each case with negative implications; and
|
| 4.3 |
Sterling Definitive Notes
|
| 5. |
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
| 5.1 |
Duration
|
| 5.2 |
Information
|
| 5.2.1 |
notify each Dealer as to the nature of such information;
|
| 5.2.2 |
make a reasonable number of copies of such information available to each Dealer upon request and permit distribution of that information to actual or potential purchasers of Notes; and
|
| 5.2.3 |
take such action as may be necessary to ensure that the representation and warranty contained in Clause 3.8 (Disclosure Documents) is true and accurate on the dates when it is made or deemed to be
repeated,
|
| 5.3 |
Authorisation information
|
| 5.3.1 |
notify each Dealer as to the nature of such authorisation; and
|
| 5.3.2 |
upon request by a Dealer, make a reasonable number of copies of such authorisation available to that Dealer.
|
| 5.4 |
Ratings
|
| 5.5 |
Indemnification
|
| 5.5.1 |
The Issuer undertakes to each Dealer (each an "Indemnified Person") that if such Indemnified Person or any of its respective Related Parties incurs Loss arising out of, in connection with or based
on:
|
| (a) |
the Issuer's failure to make due payment under the Notes or the Deed of Covenant; or
|
| (b) |
any Notes not being issued for any reason (other than as the result of the failure of any Dealer to pay for such Notes) after an agreement for that Note Transaction has been made; or
|
| (c) |
any breach or alleged breach of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made or deemed to be repeated by the Issuer in this Agreement or any other Programme Agreement unless, in the case of an alleged breach only, the
allegation is being made by such Indemnified Person or any of its Related Parties; or
|
| (d) |
any untrue or statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Disclosure Documents or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in any material respect unless, in the case of an alleged untrue statement or omission, the allegation is being made such Indemnified Person or any of its Related Parties,
|
| 5.5.2 |
In case any allegation as described in sub-clauses 5.5.1(d) or 5.5.1(e) above is made or any action is brought in respect of which an Indemnified Person is entitled to be paid by the Issuer under this Clause 5.5, the Indemnified Person
shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing (although failure to do so will not relieve the Issuer from any liability under this Agreement). If any such allegation is made, the parties agree to consult in good faith with respect to the nature
of the allegation. Subject to sub-clause 5.5.3 below, the Issuer may participate at its own expense in the defence of any action.
|
| 5.5.3 |
If it so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of the notice referred to in sub-clause 5.5.2 above, the Issuer may, subject as provided below, assume the defence of the action with legal advisers chosen by it and approved by the
Indemnified Person (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Notwithstanding any such election such Indemnified Person and/or its Related Parties may employ separate legal advisers reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and
the Issuer shall not be entitled to assume such defence and shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate legal advisers if:
|
| (a) |
the use of the legal advisers chosen by the Issuer to represent such Indemnified Person and/or its Related Parties would present such legal advisers with a conflict of interest;
|
| (b) |
the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include the Indemnified Person and/or its Related Parties and the Issuer and the Indemnified Person concludes that there may be legal defences available to it and/or
other Related Parties which are different from or additional to those available to those Issuer; or
|
| (c) |
the Issuer has not employed legal advisers reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and/or its Related Parties within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action.
|
| 5.5.4 |
If the Issuer assumes the defence of the action, the Issuer shall not be liable for any fees and expenses of legal advisers of the Indemnified Person and/or its Related Parties incurred thereafter in connection with the action, except as
stated in sub-clause 5.5.3 above.
|
| 5.5.5 |
The Issuer shall not be liable in respect of any settlement of any action effected without its written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Issuer shall not without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Person (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim or action in respect of which recovery may be sought
(whether or not any Indemnified Person or any of its Related Parties is an actual or potential party to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person and each
of its Related Parties from all liability arising out of such claim or action and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person and/or its Related Parties.
|
| 5.6 |
Subsequent changes to selling restrictions
|
| (a) |
the Dealers shall not be bound by any of the restrictions relating to any specific jurisdiction (set out below in Schedule 2 (Selling Restrictions)) to the extent that such restrictions shall, as a
result of change(s) or change(s) in official interpretation, after the date hereof, of applicable laws and regulations, no longer be applicable such that non-compliance with such restrictions would not result in any potential or purported
breach of applicable laws and regulations by the Issuer, or any liability accruing to the Issuer;
|
| (b) |
selling restrictions may be supplemented or modified with the agreement of the Issuer. Any such supplement or modification may be set out in a supplement to any Information Memorandum or a new Information Memorandum. If any of the
provisions set out in Schedule 2 (Selling Restrictions) are modified and/or supplemented by provisions of any Information Memorandum or a supplement to any Information Memorandum published subsequent
to the date of this Agreement, then Schedule 2 (Selling Restrictions) shall further be deemed to be modified and/or supplemented to the extent described therein; and
|
| (c) |
the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall be without prejudice, and subject always, to the obligations of the Dealers contained in the paragraph headed "General" in Schedule 2 (Selling Restrictions).
|
| 5.7 |
Costs and expenses
|
| 5.7.1 |
pay, or reimburse the Arranger for, all reasonable costs and expenses (including value added tax (or other similar taxes and duties) on such costs and expenses, but only to the extent such value added tax (or other similar taxes and
duties) is not recoverable (whether by credit or repayment) by the Arranger (or any other member of the group to which the Arranger belongs for value added tax purposes) and fees and disbursements of counsel to the Arranger) incurred by the
Arranger in connection with the preparation, negotiation, printing, execution and delivery of the Programme Agreements and the Notes and all documents contemplated by the Programme Agreements and the Notes;
|
| 5.7.2 |
pay, or reimburse each Dealer for, all reasonable costs and expenses (including value added tax (or other similar taxes and duties) on such costs and expenses, but only to the extent such value added tax (or other similar taxes and duties)
is not recoverable (whether by credit or repayment) by that Dealer (or any other member of the group to which that Dealer belongs for value added tax purposes) and fees and disbursements of counsel to such Dealer) incurred by that Dealer in
connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights under the Programme Agreements, the Notes and all documents contemplated by the Programme Agreements and the Notes; and
|
| 5.7.3 |
pay any stamp duty or other similar taxes (including any penalties and interest in respect thereof) payable in connection with the entry into, delivery and performance of any Programme Agreement or any Notes, and will indemnify and hold
harmless each Dealer on demand, on an after tax basis, from all liabilities arising from any failure to pay or delay in paying such duty or taxes.
|
| 5.8 |
Changes to the Programme
|
| 5.8.1 |
The Issuer will notify each Dealer of:
|
| (a) |
any change in an Agent, or any change in any of the offices of such Agent; and
|
| (b) |
any amendment to or termination of the Agency Agreement or the Deed of Covenant,
|
| 5.8.2 |
The Issuer will not permit to become effective any change, amendment or termination to the Agency Agreement or the Deed of Covenant which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the interests of any Dealer or the holder of any
Notes then outstanding.
|
| 5.9 |
Continuing obligations
|
| 5.10 |
Yen Notes
|
| 5.10.1 |
Subject to sub-clause 5.10.2 below, the Issuer will in respect of Yen Notes comply with any applicable laws, regulations and guidelines of Japanese governmental and regulatory authorities relevant in the context of the issue of Yen Notes,
as amended from time to time, and shall submit (or procure the submission on its behalf of) such reports or information as may be required for compliance with such laws, regulations and guidelines from time to time.
|
| 5.10.2 |
Yen Notes may be offered or sold in circumstances which would not be so permissible at the date of this Agreement if permitted by any change or amendment which is made after the date of this Agreement in such laws, regulations and
guidelines or in such other rules or directives as are applicable to Yen Notes from time to time.
|
| 5.11 |
United Kingdom
|
| 5.11.1 |
the relevant Dealer covenants in the terms set out in paragraph 3(a) of Schedule 2 (Selling Restrictions); and
|
| 5.11.2 |
the redemption value of each Note is not less than £100,000 (or an amount of equivalent value denominated wholly or partly in a currency other than Sterling), and no part of any Note may be transferred unless the redemption value of that
part is not less than £100,000 (or such an equivalent amount).
|
| 5.12 |
Use of Proceeds
|
| 6. |
OBLIGATIONS OF THE DEALERS
|
| 6.1 |
Selling restrictions
|
| 6.2 |
Obligations several
|
| 7. |
TERMINATION AND APPOINTMENT
|
| 7.1 |
Termination
|
| 7.1.1 |
The Issuer may terminate the appointment of any Dealer on not less than 30 days' written notice to the relevant Dealer. The Dealer may resign on not less than 30 days' written notice to the Issuer. The Issuer shall promptly inform the
other Dealers and the Agent of such termination or resignation.
|
| 7.1.2 |
The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall not terminate in respect of any rights or obligations accrued or incurred before the date on which such termination takes effect and the provisions of Clauses 5.5 (Indemnification) and 5.7 (Costs and expenses) shall survive termination of this Agreement and delivery against payment for any of the Notes.
|
| 7.2 |
Appointment of Dealers
|
| 7.2.1 |
The Issuer may appoint one or more Additional Dealers upon the terms of this Agreement by sending a dealer accession letter to the Additional Dealer substantially in the form of Schedule 4 (Dealer
Accession Letter). The appointment will only become effective if the Additional Dealer confirms acceptance of its appointment to the Issuer by signing that dealer accession letter and delivering it to the Issuer. The Issuer may
limit that appointment to a particular issue of Notes or for a particular period of time (which need not be a finite period of time).
|
| 7.2.2 |
The Additional Dealer shall become a party to this Agreement on the later of:
|
| (a) |
the date of the signature of the dealer accession letter by the Additional Dealer in accordance with sub-clause 7.2.1 above; and
|
| (b) |
the date specified in the dealer accession letter as the date of appointment,
|
| 7.2.3 |
If the appointment of that Additional Dealer is limited to a particular issue of Notes or period of time:
|
| (a) |
such authority, rights, powers, duties and obligations shall extend to the relevant Notes or period only; and
|
| (b) |
following the relevant issue of Notes or the expiry of the time period, the relevant Additional Dealer shall have no further authority, rights, powers, duties or obligations except such as may have accrued or been incurred prior to, or in
connection with, the issue of such Notes or during that time period.
|
| 7.2.4 |
The Issuer shall promptly notify the Agent of any appointment. If the appointment of the Dealer is not limited to a particular issue of Notes or for a particular period of time, the Issuer shall also notify the other Dealers of that
appointment. The Issuer agrees to supply to such Additional Dealer, upon appointment, a copy of the conditions precedent documents specified in Schedule 1 (Condition Precedent Documents), if requested
by the Additional Dealer.
|
| 7.3 |
Transfers to affiliates
|
| 8. |
CALCULATION AGENT
|
| 8.1.1 |
If any Notes which require a calculation agent are to be issued, the Issuer will, in its sole and absolute discretion, appoint either the relevant Dealer or the Agent (subject to the consent of the relevant Dealer or the Agent thereto) or
some other person (subject to the consent of the relevant Dealer and the Agent to such person's appointment) to be the calculation agent in respect of such Notes.
|
| 8.1.2 |
If a Dealer has agreed to be the calculation agent, its appointment as such shall be on the terms of the form of agreement set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Calculation Agency Agreement), and that each
Dealer will be deemed to have entered into an agreement in that form for a particular calculation if it is named as calculation agent in the relevant calculation attached to or endorsed on the relevant Note.
|
| 8.1.3 |
If the Agent has agreed to be the calculation agent, its appointment shall be on the terms set out in the Agency Agreement.
|
| 8.1.4 |
If the person nominated by a Dealer or by the Agent as calculation agent is not a Dealer, that person shall execute (if it has not already done so) an agreement substantially in the form of the agreement set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Calculation Agency Agreement) and the appointment of that person shall be on the terms of that agreement.
|
| 9. |
STATUS OF THE DEALERS AND THE ARRANGER
|
| 9.1.1 |
the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of any representation, warranty, undertaking, agreement, statement or information in the Information Memorandum, this Agreement or any information provided by it in connection with the
Programme; or
|
| 9.1.2 |
the nature and suitability to it of all legal, tax and accounting matters and all documentation in connection with the Programme or any Notes.
|
| 10. |
NOTICES
|
| 10.1 |
Written Communication
|
| 10.2 |
Delivery
|
| 10.2.1 |
Any communication by letter shall be made to the intended recipient and marked for the attention of the person, or any one of them, at its relevant address and shall be deemed to have been made upon delivery.
|
| 10.2.2 |
Any communication to be made by email shall be made to the intended recipient at the relevant email address from time to time designated by that party to the other parties for the purpose of this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been
received when the email communication has been received by the intended recipient in legible form at the correct email address.
|
| 10.2.3 |
Any communication to be made by telephone shall be made to the intended recipient at the relevant telephone number from time to time designated by that party to the other parties for the purpose of this Agreement and shall be deemed to
have been received when made provided that prompt confirmation of that communication is given by letter or email.
|
| 10.3 |
Contact details
|
| 10.4 |
Receipt
|
| 10.4.1 |
A communication given under this Agreement but received on a non-Business Day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next Business Day in that place.
|
| 10.4.2 |
A communication under this Agreement to a Dealer will only be effective on actual receipt by that Dealer.
|
| 10.5 |
Language
|
| 10.5.1 |
Any notice given in connection with a Programme Agreement or Note must be in English.
|
| 10.5.2 |
Any other document provided in connection with a Programme Agreement or Note must be:
|
| (a) |
in English; or
|
| (b) |
if not in English, (unless the Dealers otherwise agree) accompanied by a certified English translation. In this case, the English translation prevails unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.
|
| 11. |
PARTIAL INVALIDITY
|
| 12. |
REMEDIES AND WAIVERS
|
| 13. |
RECOGNITION OF THE U.S. SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGIMES
|
| (i) |
a "covered entity" as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
|
| (ii) |
a "covered bank" as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
|
| (iii) |
a "covered FSI" as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b);
|
| 14. |
COUNTERPARTS
|
| 15. |
RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES
|
| 16. |
GOVERNING LAW
|
| 17. |
SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION
|
| 17.1 |
Jurisdiction
|
| 17.1.1 |
The English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute (a "Dispute") arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and any agreement for a Note Transaction (including a dispute
relating to their existence, validity or termination and any dispute relating to any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and any agreement for a Note Transaction) or the consequences of their
nullity.
|
| 17.1.2 |
The parties to this Agreement agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly no such party will argue to the contrary.
|
| 17.1.3 |
Notwithstanding Clause 17.1.1, the Dealers may take proceedings relating to a Dispute ("Proceedings") in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent
allowed by law, the Dealers may take concurrent Proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
|
| 17.2 |
Service of process
|
| 17.3 |
Waiver of trial by jury
|
| 1. |
Certified copies of the Issuer's constitutional documents.
|
| 2. |
Certified copies of all documents evidencing the internal authorisations required to be granted by the Issuer:
|
| (a) |
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Notes and Programme Agreements and resolving that it execute the Notes and Programme Agreements;
|
| (b) |
authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Notes and Programme Agreements on its behalf; and
|
| (c) |
authorising a specified person, or persons on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with Notes and Programme Agreements
|
| 3. |
Certified copies of any governmental or other consents required for the issue of Notes and for the Issuer to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes and the Programme Agreements (as applicable).
|
| 4. |
Executed and conformed copies of:
|
| (a) |
this Agreement;
|
| (b) |
the Agency Agreement; and
|
| (c) |
the Deed of Covenant.
|
| 5. |
A copy of:
|
| (a) |
the confirmation from the Agent that a copy of the executed Deed of Covenant has been delivered to the Agent;
|
| (b) |
the confirmation from the Agent that the relevant forms of Global Note have been prepared and have been delivered to the Agent; and
|
| (c) |
the confirmation of acceptance of appointment from the agent for service of process.
|
| 6. |
A legal opinion, in a form acceptable to the Dealers, from:
|
| (a) |
the Issuer as to the laws of the Issuer's jurisdiction of incorporation; and
|
| (b) |
Clifford Chance LLP, legal advisers to the Dealers.
|
| 7. |
The Information Memorandum.
|
| 8. |
A list of the names and titles and specimen signatures of the persons authorised:
|
| (a) |
to sign on behalf of the Issuer the Notes and the Programme Agreements;
|
| (b) |
to sign on behalf of the Issuer all notices and other documents to be delivered in connection with the Programme Agreements and the Notes; and
|
| (c) |
to take any other action on behalf of the Issuer in relation to the multi-currency commercial paper programme established by the Programme Agreements.
|
| 9. |
Written confirmation that each of Fitch, S&P and Moody's, respectively, has granted a rating for the Programme.
|
| 1. |
General
|
| 2. |
United States of America
|
| 3. |
The United Kingdom
|
| (i) |
it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business; and
|
| (ii) |
it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Notes other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their
businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue of the Notes would otherwise constitute a contravention of section
19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") by the Issuer;
|
| (b) |
it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in
connection with the issue or sale of any Notes in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Issuer; and
|
| (c) |
it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to such Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
|
| 4. |
Japan
|
| 5. |
Singapore
|
| 6. |
Hong Kong
|
| (1) |
it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any Notes other than (a) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the "SFO") and any rules made under the SFO; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions Ordinance
(Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the "C(WUMP)O") or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and
|
| (2) |
it has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the
Notes, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Notes which are or are
intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO
|
|
To:
|
The Dealers referred to below
|
|
cc.
|
[ ] (the "Agent")
|
|
cc.
|
[ ] (the "Arranger")
|
|
[Date]
|
|
|
To: [ ]
|
| (a) |
a certificate from a duly authorised officer of the Issuer confirming that no changes have been made to the constitutional documents of the Issuer since the date of the Dealer Agreement or, if there has been a change, a certified copy of
the constitutional documents currently in force;
|
| (b) |
certified copies of all documents evidencing the internal authorisations and approvals required to be granted by the Issuer for such an increase in the Maximum Amount;
|
| (c) |
certified copies of [specify any applicable governmental or other consents required by the Issuer in relation to the increase];
|
| (d) |
a list of names, titles and specimen signatures of the persons authorised to sign on behalf of the Issuer all notices and other documents to be delivered in connection with such an increase in the Maximum Amount;
|
| (e) |
[an updated or supplemental Information Memorandum reflecting the increase in the Maximum Amount of the Programme;]
|
| (f) |
legal opinions, each in a form acceptable to the Dealers, from the Dealers' [English law counsel] and the Issuer's [U.S.
legal counsel]; and
|
| (g) |
confirmation that [relevant rating agencies] are maintaining their current ratings for the Programme.
|
|
|
|
| for and on behalf of |
|
| BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY |
|
|
[Date]
|
|
|
To:
|
[Name of Dealer]
|
|
cc.:
|
[list all permanent Dealers]
|
|
cc.:
|
[Agent] as Agent
|
|
To: [ ]
|
|
|
|
| for and on behalf of |
|
| BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY |
|
|
Address:
|
[ ]
|
|
|
Telephone:
|
[ ]
|
|
|
Email:
|
[ ]
|
|
|
Contact:
|
[ ]
|
|
|
Dated:
|
||
|
Signed:
|
||
|
for [Name of new Dealer]
|
||
| (1) |
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY as issuer (the "Issuer");
|
| (2) |
[CALCULATION AGENT], as the Calculation Agent appointed pursuant to the terms hereof (the "Calculation Agent", which expression shall
include any successor thereto).
|
| (A) |
Under a dealer agreement (as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Dealer Agreement") dated [date] and made between, among others, the
Issuer and the Dealer(s) referred to therein, and an issue and paying agency agreement (as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Agency Agreement") dated [date] and made between, among others, the Issuer and the agent[s] referred to therein, the Issuer established a multi-currency commercial paper programme (the "Programme").
|
| (B) |
The Dealer Agreement contemplates, inter alia, the issue under the Programme of floating rate notes and provides for the appointment of calculation agents in relation thereto. Each such
calculation agent's appointment shall be on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.
|
| 1. |
INTERPRETATION
|
| 1.1 |
Terms not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Dealer Agreement or the Agency Agreement.
|
| 1.2 |
Any reference in this Agreement to a statute, any provision thereof or to any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder shall be construed as a reference to such statute, provision, statutory instrument, order or regulation
as the same may have been, or may from time to time be, amended or re-enacted.
|
| 1.3 |
"Relevant Notes" means any Notes in respect of which the Calculation Agent is appointed.
|
| 2. |
APPOINTMENT OF CALCULATION AGENT
|
| 3. |
DETERMINATION AND NOTIFICATION
|
| 3.1 |
The Calculation Agent shall determine the amount of interest payable on, each Relevant Note in accordance with the redemption calculation applicable thereto.
|
| 3.2 |
The Calculation Agent shall as soon as it has made its determination as provided for in Clause 3.1 above (and, in any event, no later than the close of business on the date on which the determination is made) notify the Issuer and the
Agent (if other than the Calculation Agent) of the amount of interest so payable.
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| 4. |
STAMP DUTIES
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| 5. |
INDEMNITY AND LIABILITY
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| 5.1 |
The Issuer shall indemnify and hold harmless on demand the Calculation Agent, on an after tax basis, against any claim, demand, action, liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees and any applicable
value added tax comprised in any such costs or expenses but only to the extent such value added tax is not recoverable (whether by credit or repayment) by the Calculation Agent (or any member of the group to which the Calculation Agent
belongs for value added tax purposes)) which it may incur arising out of, in connection with or based upon the exercise of its powers and duties as Calculation Agent under this Agreement, except such as may result from its own negligence,
default or bad faith or that of its officers, employees or agents.
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| 5.2 |
The Calculation Agent shall indemnify and hold harmless on demand the Issuer , on an after tax basis, against any claim, demand, action, liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees and any
applicable value added tax comprised in any such costs or expenses but only to the extent such value added tax is not recoverable (whether by credit or repayment) by the Issuer (or any member of the group to which the Issuer belongs for value
added tax purposes)) which it may incur or which may be made against the Issuer as a result of or in connection with the appointment or the exercise of the powers and duties of the Calculation Agent under this Agreement resulting from the
negligence, default or bad faith of the Calculation Agent or that of its officers, employees or agents.
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| 5.3 |
The Calculation Agent may, after prior written notice to the Issuer, consult as to legal matters with lawyers selected by it, who may be employees of, or lawyers to, the Issuer. If such consultation is made, the Calculation Agent shall be
protected and shall incur no liability for action taken or not taken by it as Calculation Agent or suffered to be taken with respect to such matters in good faith (after consultation with the Issuer), without negligence and in accordance with
the opinion of such lawyers, as addressed to both parties.
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| 6. |
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
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| (a) |
in acting under this Agreement, the Calculation Agent shall act as an independent expert and shall not assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for the Issuer or the owner or holder of any of the Relevant Notes or
any interest therein;
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| (b) |
unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any order, certificate, notice, request, direction or other communication from the Issuer made or given under any provision of this Agreement shall be sufficient if signed or
purported to be signed by a duly authorised employee of the Issuer;
|
| (c) |
the Calculation Agent shall be obliged to perform only those duties which are set out in this Agreement;
|
| (d) |
the Calculation Agent and its officers and employees, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, any Relevant Notes with the same rights that the Calculation Agent would have if it were
not the Calculation Agent hereunder; and
|
| (e) |
all calculations and determinations made pursuant to this Agreement by the Calculation Agent shall (save in the case of manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Calculation Agent and (if other than the Calculation Agent) the holder(s)
of the Relevant Notes and no liability to such holder(s) shall attach to the Calculation Agent in connection with the exercise by the Calculation Agent of its powers, duties or discretion under or in respect of the Relevant Notes in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
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| 7. |
ALTERNATIVE APPOINTMENT
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| 8. |
RECOGNITION OF BAIL-IN POWERS
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| 9. |
CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999
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| 10. |
GOVERNING LAW
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| 11. |
JURISDICTION
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| 11.1 |
The English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual
obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) or the consequences of its nullity.
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| 11.2 |
The parties to this Agreement agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly no such party will argue to the contrary.
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| 11.3 |
Notwithstanding Clause 11.1, the Calculation Agent may take proceedings relating to a Dispute ("Proceedings") in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Calculation
Agent may take concurrent Proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
|
| 12. |
SERVICE OF PROCESS
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| 12.1 |
The Issuer irrevocably appoints [Process Agent] as its agent under this Agreement for service of process in any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement.
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| 12.2 |
If any person appointed as process agent is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, the Issuer must immediately appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Calculation Agent. Failing this, the Calculation Agent
may appoint another agent for this purpose.
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| 12.3 |
The Issuer agrees that failure by a process agent to notify it of any process will not invalidate the relevant Proceedings.
|
| 12.4 |
This Clause does not affect any other method of service allowed by law.
|
| 13. |
PARTIAL INVALIDITY
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| 14. |
COUNTERPARTS
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| By: |
|
| By: |
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Greg Rodetis
|
||
|
Greg Rodetis
|
|||
|
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
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|||
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Address:
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1 Becton Drive
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|
|
Franklin Lakes
|
||
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New Jersey 07417-1880
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||
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United States of America
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||
|
Telephone:
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+1 (201) 847 7160
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|
|
Email:
|
||
|
Attention:
|
Michelle Quinn
|
|
Address:
|
[***]
|
|
Telephone:
|
[***]
|
|
Email
|
[***]
|
|
Contact:
|
[***]
|
|
Address:
|
[***]
|
|
Telephone:
|
[***]
|
|
Email
|
[***]
|
|
Contact:
|
[***]
|