Near-term risks and uncertainty factors

Near-term risks and uncertainty factors related to instability in the markets include cost inflation, salary inflation and labour markets constraints, and uncertain product availability due to material and supply chain constraints. The current instability in the Middle East is expected to cause higher fuel prices and inflationary pressure. Cyber-attacks against critical areas of society have increased and are expected to increase in a heightened geopolitical environment. These factors may have a significant impact on Oriola’s operations, net sales and profitability.

Oriola is deemed as a critical entity under the directive (2022/2557) of the European Parliament on the resilience of critical entities. Recognition of full-service healthcare distributors as critical infrastructure reduces Oriola’s risks. Under the directive, Member States are required to formally identify critical entities by July 2026, building on existing national security, preparedness and resilience frameworks, which may affect supervisory practices and compliance requirements. In Finland Oriola was formally identified as an infrastructure critical entity in June 2026.

Oriola’s continuity planning is designed to maintain critical operations, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. It also encompasses measures to rebuild and restore these operations if disruptions occur. With well-defined protocols and a structured methodology, Oriola strengthens its capacity to safeguard customer requirements, ensure profitability, and support societal needs. During 2025, the continuity planning model was further developed, in response to changes in the geopolitical and security environment. The model has been in use for ongoing planning during 2026.

By ensuring the availability and reliable distribution of critical healthcare products, even under challenging conditions, Oriola is also an important contributor to societal resilience and preparedness. This entails that developments in national threat scenarios and security protection legislation have an impact on both the company’s risk exposure and its opportunities. Oriola’s strategic development projects involve operational risks which may have an effect on the company’s profitability if materialised. Oriola has an ERP programme underway and is constructing a new highly automated distribution centre in Järvenpää, Finland. The company has defined separate risk management plans for all major projects, including the ERP programme and Järvenpää construction, and aims to ensure seamless implementation through careful planning and risk mitigation.

Oriola’s distribution capabilities rely on well-functioning distribution centres with automation and information systems. If the systems experience long or short-term malfunctions, Oriola’s delivery accuracy might be affected.

From time to time, Oriola is involved in legal actions, claims and other proceedings. It is Oriola’s policy to provide for amounts related to the proceedings if liability is probable, and such amounts can be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Taking into account all available information to date, legal actions, claims and other proceedings are not expected to have a material impact on the financial position of the Group.

Oriola’s proactive risk management, strategic alignment with regulatory changes, and strengthened operational resilience position the company well for sustained performance. The continued focus on ESG, financial stability, and supply chain reliability supports the long-term success of the organisation.

Published in the Half-Year Report January-June 2026 on 17 July 2026.