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The basics:

• Newsweek names Merck, PSEG among top 10 most responsible US companies for 2026
• 20 New Jersey organizations appear on 600-company ranking
• Newsweek evaluated ESG performance, CSR reporting and a nationwide reputation survey

Newsweek released its America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2026 list Dec. 3 – naming two New Jersey firms among the top 10. 

The annual ranking recognizes 600 organizations across the country for leadership in corporate responsibility and for their strong performance across environmental, social and governance criteria. 

In 2025, 20 New Jersey businesses made the list – one fewer than last year. This is the seventh year Newsweek compiled the ranking. 

Merck – which had held the top spot for three years in a row – fell to No. 7, but remained the highest-ranking company in the state. 

What determines ‘Most Responsible’?

In partnership with Statista, Newsweek evaluated companies based on: 

• Publicly available Corporate Social Responsibility, ESG and sustainability data
  Only companies that published a CSR or sustainability report for 2023 or 2024 and filed a corresponding 10-K were eligible
• A nationwide reputation survey gauging how U.S. residents perceive companies’ commitments to people, communities and the environment
  Companies involved in significant CSR-related controversies or that appeared on multiple major pollution indexes were ineligible

“America’s Most Responsible Companies is designed to spotlight organizations that take their obligations seriously,” Newsweek Editor in Chief of Jennifer Cunningham said in the announcement accompanying the rankings. “These companies are showing that responsibility can be embedded into culture and strategy, and that it can strengthen trust with consumers and investors.” 

The publication also noted, “Research shows that a large majority of Americans are discouraged from supporting companies with poor environmental practices, and many consumers say they actively look for sustainable products.” 

According to Newsweek, the top five most responsible companies in the U.S. are: 

No. 1: NVIDIA, Santa Clara, Calif.
Technology 

No. 2: Mastercard, Purchase, N.Y.
Financial 

No. 3: Palo Alto Networks, Santa Clara, Calif.
Technology 

No. 4: Ecolab, St. Paul, Minn.
Materials & Chemicals 

No. 5: T-Mobile, Bellevue, Wash.
Media & Telecommunications

The New Jersey-based companies named to Newsweek’s 2026 America’s Most Responsible Companies list are: 

No. 7: Merck, Rahway
Health Care, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals (Industry rank: 1) 

No. 9: Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), Newark
Energy & Utilities (Industry rank: 1) 

No. 87: Organon, Jersey City
Health Care, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals (Industry rank: 11) 

No. 102: Cognizant, Teaneck
Professional Services (Industry rank: 5) 

No. 142: Church & Dwight, Ewing
Retail & Consumer Goods (Industry rank: 21) 

No. 144: Burlington, Burlington
Retail & Consumer Goods (Industry rank: 22) 

No. 177: American Water, Camden
Energy & Utilities (Industry rank: 9) 

No. 190: Kenvue, Summit
Retail & Consumer Goods (Industry rank: 26)
Note: In November, Kimberly-Clark Corp. announced it would acquire Kenvue Inc. in a deal valued about approximately $48.7 billion. The combined company will be based in Irving, Texas.

No. 217: Zoetis, Parsippany
Health Care, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals (Industry rank: 21) 

No. 277: AdvanSix, Parsippany
Materials & Chemicals (Industry rank: 22) 

No. 287: Prudential, Newark
Financial (Industry rank: 27) 

No. 307: Universal Display, Ewing
Technology (Industry rank: 46) 

No. 386: Avis Budget Group, Parsippany
Professional Services (Industry rank: 22) 

No. 458: Conduent, Florham Park
Professional Services (Industry rank: 28) 

No. 462: Balchem, Montvale
Materials & Chemicals (Industry rank: 38) 

No. 487: Clearway Energy, Princeton
Energy & Utilities (Industry rank: 41) 

No. 489: Wiley, Hoboken
Media & Telecommunications (Industry rank: 17) 

No. 503: Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck
Health Care, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals (Industry rank: 39) 

No. 534: Integra, Princeton
Health Care, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals (Industry rank: 42) 

No. 554: The Children’s Place, Secaucus
Retail & Consumer Goods (Industry rank: 66) 

Leading with purpose

Universal Display released a statement Dec. 3 about its placement, noting it was the fifth time the company landed on the list.  

“Earning a place on Newsweek’s list again highlights our vision to lead with purpose and shape a sustainable future,” said Steven Abramson, Universal Display president and CEO. “This achievement reflects our relentless pursuit of energy-efficient OLED innovations and our commitment to nurturing a culture that thrives on curiosity, creativity and collaboration.”

Forbes also recently released its list of the Most Trusted Companies in America, which included three of the companies that landed on Newsweek’s list.